Vernon Adams, Jr., DMD

I’ve always felt extraordinarily lucky to be a pediatric dentist. It’s more of a passion with me than a profession. Perhaps where others find their “work” as a means to earn an income to enable them to lead the kind of life they would like to enjoy, pediatric dentistry is an integral part of what I enjoy most out of life.

Ernest Gallo of Ernest & Julio Gallo Wines once said that he felt no need to retire from his job, “just so he could do the things he always wanted to do.” Why? Because he was already doing them! In large part, I feel the same way.

My vision has been to use my education and experience to develop a private practice that cares for all types of children — chief among them, the medically complex child and children with special needs, such as those with cerebral palsy, autism, developmental disabilities, and ADHD to name a few — as well as being dedicated to the care of healthy children. I am very proud of the fact that this vision has become a reality and that taking care of so many types of children is not only highly rewarding but a never-ending journey.

Everyone on my team believes that all children are special. We are focused on making personal decisions about each “special child’s” needs, and recommend treatment in the proper setting that will not create a negative psychological impact.

One of the advantages of our practice is the long-standing, and ongoing relationship we have with Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. I have been on staff for over 25 years, and have been an adjunct clinical assistant professor. Dr. Jon continues our relationship thus enabling us to consult with community pediatricians and the pediatrics department at Stanford. We thus have the ability to treat a wide variety of children with medical conditions whose problems may well be exacerbated by pre-existing dental concerns, for example - children on chemotherapy, or a child whose immune system has been suppressed in preparation for a heart or liver transplant.  

I was born in Camp Campbell, Kentucky when my father was in the service. Following that, our family moved to Europe when I was six months old and my father worked as an engineer. We lived in France and Germany until I was 14. Then we returned to the United States, and settled in Monterey. After going to college “up here,” I went east to Harvard for my dental degrees, and then to UCLA for my pediatrics residencies. Being a part of a close-knit family, I returned to Monterey and practiced as a pediatric dentist for nine years before moving to Palo Alto to start our present practice, which emphasizes the treatment of the medically complex child both in our office and at Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital.

I currently reside in Los Altos, and in my spare time I am a semi-prolific reader, enjoy swimming, cycling, and am an avid Formula 1 racing fan. I enjoy traveling to various countries during the Formula 1 season whenever possible to catch a race, and am currently writing a book having to do with Formula 1 racing.

Training and Education

Private Practice

• Private practice in Monterey Bay Area with offices in Salinas and Marina, 1980-1989
• Pediatric dental associate, Milpitas and Alviso, California, 1989-1992
• Private practice in Palo Alto, 1990 to present

Hospital Associations and Staff Appointments

• Lucile Slater Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford (staff, 1993 to present)
• Assistant clinical professor (VCF), Department of Pediatrics
• Adjunct clinical assistant professor, Department of Pediatrics
• Staff, Natividad Medical Center, Salinas, California (1980-1989)

Professional Memberships

• California Dental Association
• American Dental Association
• Mid-Peninsula Dental Society
• American Academy of Pediatrics
• American Society of Dentistry for Children
• California Society of Pediatric Dentistry
• Santa Clara Pediatric Dentistry Academy
• Academy of General Dentistry

Professional Contributions

• Pediatric advisory board – Palo Alto School District (1991-1996) California Pedodontic Research Conference (1989)
• Dental advisory board – Monterey Country Happy Tooth Program (1981-1985)
• Board of directors – Family Resource Center, Monterey (1984-1988)
• Dental advisor – Childbirth Education League, Monterey Country (1983-1987)
• Committee chair – Dental Health Week for Monterey Bay Dental Society (1983)
• Board of directors – Regional Opportunity Program, Monterey County (1980-1983)
• Board of directors – Head Start Program, Monterey County (1980-1989)