Locations
Robert Eng Chin, DDS, MAGD
San Diego, CA
My office hours
Thursday: 7:00am - 4:30 pm
Show morePhone
Practice website
Insurances accepted
Aetna Life Insurance Company
About
Bio
I have been in practice since 1979. After attending Georgetown
University School of Dentistry, I spent one year in post-graduate
training at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry and the Veterans
Administration Hospital in Loma Linda. Most graduates begin practice
immediately after graduation. However, the year I spent as a dental
resident provided me with additional training in oral surgery,
restorative dentistry and providing dental care while patients are in
the hospital. Additional patient relations training also gave me a more
solid base for private practice than other new graduates. Skills and
confidence are well honed in residency training and it is an advantage
to the select few who are lucky enough to qualify for these programs. I continue my education at seminars, conferences and continuing
education classes all year round. I have been a member in good standing
of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, the
San Diego County Dental Society and the Academy of General Dentistry
since 1979. I have achieved Fellowship and Mastership in the Academy
of General Dentistry. I am a Founding Member and Fellow of the World
Clinical Laser Institute. Though all dentists are required to attend a
certain number of hours of continuing education each year, I feel it is
my responsibility to do more than the minimum. I am a member of several
study clubs and attend many times more than the
required licensing minimum of classes to assure my patients that they
are getting the very BEST up to date dental treatments available today. My practice in San Diego, CA is well established because we have a very
good reputation and receive many referrals from our patients. Unlike
many general/family dental practices, I retain the primary
responsibility for all of my patients. I provide all the new
patient examinations and maintain regular contact with my patients by
administering their twice a year recall cleanings and exams. This allows
me to get to know my patient’s and their needs and also gives my
patients the opportunity to talk with their dentist directly, should
they have any concerns. My excellent support team of dental assistants
is generally the first and last points of contact for our patients. They
are well trained in dental health education, insurance claims
processing and financial policies. If you have any questions about
your treatment or accounts, our dental team can help you! The practice administrator, Dr. Mona Young, is an RN with teaching
and administrative experience and brings a strong general health care
background to our practice. This allows us to consider all aspects of a
person’s health, not only the dental care aspect. Dr. Young has a
doctorate in human behavior and uses this background to
counsel patients in behavior modification to establish positive
lifestyle changes, as a result of patient initiated goals. Our
dental staff consists of Registered Dental Assistants and Dental
Assistants who have years of chairside and business/insurance
office experience. They are here to make your visit with us comfortable
and rewarding. The staff’s extensive experience with dental insurance
will speed your dental claims through processing with your dental
insurance company. Though we are an established practice, we are
NOT a clinic. We still treat all patients completely from start to
finish. Each patient will see the same dentist at each visit and enjoys
continuity of care from this dentist. We provide complete dental care
with state of the art high-technology equipment and techniques. We
have been voted one of San Diego’s Top Dentists every year since 2007,
in San Diego Magazine, and we hope to give you the best in dental care
when you visit us as a patient! We have been awarded the CBS 8 TV News Mojo Award for the Top Dentist in San Diego for the last several years in a row. This award was achieved by the reviews and comments made by our patients. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to assist you with your dental health care. Please call or email us if you have ANY questions about our insurance, our practice or if you have any dental questions. We look forward to seeing you in our office. Robert Eng Chin, DDS, MAGD
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Dentistry
Family and General Dentist
Languages spoken
Cantonese, English
Doctor Q&A
73 Answers
23 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Job description: A dental assistant may or may not attend a special program to learn how to assist a dentist in providing treatment. A dental hygienist must attend add... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Yes it is possible: If the tooth had a deep "cavity" that needed to be filled, the filling may be very close to the nerve. This may cause some sensitivity. It is also pos... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
No: If the dentist and patient follow the accepted ada guidelines for routine dental x-rays it is very safe.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
No: Depends of the definition you have for clear or colored braces. Clear braces may mean clear aligners like invisalign. There are ceramic brackets tha... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Possible gum disease: Gum pain may be early or secondary stages of gum disease. If you have bleeding and swelling, you should see your dentist for a complete examination t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Not really: A cleaning may take some of the surface stain off your teeth and they may appear whiter but cleanings do not "whiten or bleach" your teeth.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Clear or white: They are either clear or white (tooth) colored so they will not be obvious on the tooth.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
No.: There are no specialists that work exclusively with diabetics. Most dentist should be able to work with a diabetic.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Every day: Thorough brushing or soaking in a recommended cleaning solution every day is best for your retainers.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
No: You shouldn't be soaking your retainers in mouthwash. Retainers should be cleaned according to your dentist's instructions. If you are rinsing with mo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Bridge: A bridge is not just a cosmetic, but functional replacement. Ck your insurance coverage, a bridge would be allowed if the missing teeth were taken out... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Usually a few minute: Depending upon the skill of the person taking the xrays and the number of xrays needed, it can be 2-3 minutes up to 10-15 minutes.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Depends: This depends on the type of filling. Most composite or white fillings can be brushed immediately. Silver amalgam fillings need to wait for at least 3-... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Expense: Dental schools are probably a bit more expensive to run than medical schools due to equipment and clinics that most dental schools have had to build t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Bad hygiene: Blue tongue may be due to build up of food debris under the structures on the surface of the tongue. Daily brushing or scrapping with a plastic devic... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
See your dentist now: If you have a dental abscess, you should be treated with antibiotics, in addition to possible dental treatment. You should have this assessed by your ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Re-evaluation needed: If you've had braces before but your teeth have relapsed and are no longer as straight as they were after your braces were finished, you may need some... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Lump in palate: Abscessed molars in the upper arch can cause a bump in the hard palate. Most are usually soft and have drainage coming from the abscessed tooth. Ant... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Prevents decay: Sealants are commonly done for children on their molars to seal the fissures (valleys) on the tops of the teeth. This helps to prevent decay in these ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Varies: It depends upon what type of surgery you need. The surgery to insert the implant takes an hour or two. You usually need to wait 3-4 months minimum bef... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Put: Put ice on the cold sore till it becomes uncomfortable to the cold. Repeat as often for remission.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Yes: Some dentists are available for after hours care but most if not all have some way of being reached in an emergency. Check your dental listings for de... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Isolation of teeth: Dental dams are used to isolate the teeth that the dentist is working on to prevent contamination of the treatment site. A secondary benefit is that t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 17-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Thrum sucking: Yes. Some children place there thumb in the mouth but are not actively sucking on the thumb. These cases the child may be trying to improve breathin... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Call your dentist: Your son's adult teeth should not be loose. Please contact your dentist to have an examination to determine the cause of this problem. There are sever... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Truama possible: It could be swelling of the injection site from trauma or could be edema or bleeding in the tissue layers. Call your dentist for screening and possibl... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Avoidance: Avoid x-rays during first trimester and try to wait until at least the 2nd trimester, in emergencies only. Best to wait until 3rd trimester before hav... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Disease determinatio: Dental xrays are used to determine whether there is disease of the bone, gum or teeth. Visual oral examinations can not always see the extent of decay... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Surface of filling: MO and ML is an abbreviation of the surface or side of the tooth that a filling is placed. The tooth usually has 5 surfaces that are designated durin... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed Jul 29, 2021
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Yes: Ideally, you want to stay as healthy as possible while pregnant, so any dental issues should be taken care of to prevent infections and pain. Dental x... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Usually porcelain: Usually porcelain but can also be made out of the same type of material as the white composite fillings.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Yes: A water pik removes plaque from in between the teeth and is especially helpful for people who can not or do not floss.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
It might: Any infection during pregnancy is a reason to be concerned. Contact your dentist and your physician for advice asap.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Gum or bone: A dental abscess can form anywhere in either the gum or bone.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Medical: If cerebral palsy is a what you mean by cp, it is a medical problem and not a dental problem.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Brush daily: Carefully brush your retainers daily and soak them in the recommended cleaning solution every day.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
See your dentist : At this point, i can not tell you what your problem is but I do strongly suggest that you see your dentist as soon as possible. Since you have swellin... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Unlikely: The "novocaine" (local anesthetic) medication itself will probably not cause nerve damage. There is a small possibility of traumatic damage to a nerve... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
As needed: Your dentist will determine how often you need this test. It varies with a patient's dental history.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Red dots on tongue: Sometimes the structures on the tongue may get irritated or inflamed from reaction to some food or drink that you have ingested. Possibly a deficiency... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
If indicated: Your dentist can advise you whether you are prone to dental decay in those areas and whether sealants will be helpful to you.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Yes to a degree.: Contact your local va to find a va dental center near you. Under some circumstances, you may be given approval to see a private dentist with some reim... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Hynotherapy helps: I have used a hypnotherapist with patients who are very fearful and have had good results.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Not alcohol: You can drink but not alcohol since this may disrupt the clot that is forming.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
No usually: Your body usually reacts to an infection with a rise in body temperature, a fever. If you do not have a local or systemic infection, you should not ha... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Caries or decay: Other words that are used to describe dental cavities is dental decay or caries.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Yes: Your dentist will be looking for signs and symptoms of some types of common oral cancer. Not all oral cancers can be detected on routine dental exams.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Routine is 6 months: Unless you have ongoing dental issues that require monitoring or treatment, most dentists recommend check up appointments every 6 months. This check u... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:

Dr. Robert Chinanswered
Dentistry 44 years experience
Undercut: Undercut is a term used in teeth preparations that place retention points for a filling preparation. The term is also used to indicate that there are ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
4
Recommendations
140
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Oct 8, 2013
I was visiting friends in San Diego and broke a tooth while I was eating. Dr. Chin was recommended to me and he saved my vacation. Dr. Chin and his staff were very nice and did a really professional j...Read More
HealthTap member
Jan 26, 2013
Great dentist! dr Chin has been my dentist for 30 years and my whole family as well.
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Chin is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful! that very nice of you
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful!
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful!
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Georgetown University School of Dentistry
Graduated 1979MD
Residency
LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
Residency
Veteran's Administration Hospital, Loma Linda, CA
Awards
San Diego Top Dentist- 2007 to current
Top Dentist, First Place, San Diego Region - Spring
2015
HealthTap Founding Doctor
Affiliations
American Dental Society
California Dental Society
San Diego County Dental Society
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