Dr. Vernon James Adams

VERNON J. ADAMS JR., DMD, FASCDC Harvard University, DMD, FASCDC Martin Luther King Jr. Hospital, Los Angeles, California, UCLA Pediatric Dental  Residency, 1979 UCLA - Research Associate in Oral Biology, 1979 - 1980 UCLA - Clinical Instructor in Pediatric Dentistry, 1979 - 1980 Private Practice in Monterey Bay Area with offices in Salinas and Marina, California, 1980 - 1989 Pediatric Dental Associate, Milpitas and Alviso, California, 1989 - 1992 Private Practice in Palo Alto, 1990 to present. HOSPITAL ASSOCIATIONS & STAFF APPOINTMENTS Lucile Slater Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford (Staff 1993 - Present) Assistant Clinical Professor (VCF), Department of Pediatrics Adjunctive Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics. Staff Natividad Medical Center, Salinas, California  (1980-1989)    ACTIVE MEMBERSHIPS California Dental Association American Dental Association Mid Peninsula Dental Society American Academy of Pediatrics American Society of Dentistry for Children (1977 - Present) Fellow since 1990. California Society of Pediatric Dentistry Santa Clara Pedodontic 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 for 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) PERSONALLY  . . .       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 and 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 treatment of the medically complex child, children with special needs such as those withcerebral 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.      I believe one of the outstanding advantages our practice has is the fact that we are located on the Stanford University campus directly across the street from Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital. Being on staff at the hospital and in close proximity has enabled us to consult with the pediatrics department as well as treat a wide variety of children with medical conditions whose problems may be exacerbated by preexisting dental conditions (i.e. – Children on chemotherapy for cancer or a child whose immune system has been suppressed in preparation for a heart or liver transplant.).     Personally, 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 where my father worked as an engineer, living in France and Germany until I was 14.  We then moved back to the United States settling in Monterey, Ca.  After going to college, “up here” I went back to Harvar