Quality care by people who care

This motto has provided the foundation for our mission and vision for over 40 years of compassionate dental care by Dr. Mike Nelson and Dr. Chris Nelson.

2022 Redding Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year:

Leon Nelson

aka THE ORIGINAL 

Our story begins with Dr. Leon Nelson, a practicing dentist for 44 years prior to his retirement in 2003. He was the original “Dr. Nelson” in Redding. His overwhelming drive was to provide a painless dental visit, and quality restorations and repairs that would last decades, and they have! Dr. Leon coined slogans such as “Clean Teeth Taste Good!”, “We Cater to Cowards!” and “Happiness is No Cavities!”. He published the first book on Cosmetic Dentistry in 1984: “The Bonding Book”, and holding leadership positions in numerous dental associations, Dr. Leon sites his proudest achievement in dentistry as something different: “Clearly, having my son, Mike, choose dentistry for his career, and then want to practice in close association with me.” Read Dr. Leon’s Obituary Here.

Mike Nelson

aka MOUNTAIN MIKE

Shortly after Mike became the second Nelson to graduate from the University of the Pacific’s dental school in 1981, he and his father embarked on a “solo-group” practice, the space-sharing arrangement where father and son worked extremely well together. In 1990, they moved across the street to a new, larger location (the current 2710 Eureka Way office location), and the office was featured on the cover of “Dental Economics” magazine for innovation and design. As Mike recalls, “My dad and I worked alongside each other for 20 years, and until he passed, we loved doing things together, both inside and outside of the office”  In the over 40 years of practice as a dentist Dr. Mike has seen it all and continues to be very motivated to achieve “dream smiles” for his patients.

Chris Nelson

the JUGGLING DENTIST

That had to serve as a role model for the latest in the Nelson clan of dental incredibles, Mike’s son, Chris. After attending Shasta High School (like dad and grandpa), and graduating from the University of California, Davis, Chris accepted an offer to attend—you guessed it—the alma mater of his father and grandfather, now called the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry.

in January 2023, Dr. Chris purchased the business from Dr. Mike and the two Nelson doctors continue to work as a team with Dr. Chris full-time and Dr. Mike working two days a week, enjoying some more time for outdoor adventure with his grandkids and Chris’ mom, Rhonda. In 2022 the office was selected as the Redding Chamber of Commerce “Business of the Year” and as the new leader Dr. Chris is entirely committed to serving patients and the legacy of his father and grandfather.

Three generations of over-achievers—all in the field of dentistry—are members of one family: the Nelsons of Redding, California.  

(text originally drawn from Enjoy Magazine and the Pride Institute Dental articles, and original text).

instagram posts every day! @NelsonFamily.Dental

We are different because of our focus: you.

 We are wholly and passionately committed to your goals, your needs, and your health, all while delivering the highest quality dentistry possible.  Dr. Mike and Chris both spend hundreds of hours each year in continuing education courses, often together, refining and developing their dental skills to maintain excellent clinical and diagnostic skills, for you. Don’t just take our word for it, check out our before and after photos on instagram.

We Do it all, kiddos to adults.  

• Cosmetic Dentistry

• Teeth Whitening

• Dental Implants, Bridges, Crowns

• Porcelain Teeth Dentures

• Composite (tooth colored) Fillings

• Oral Surgery including Routine and Surgical Extractions

• Basic and Deep Cleanings

• and much more...

Our dentures are different.  

Visit our denture-specific website: www.denture.doctor

Every denture wearer is different, so we spend extra time and energy with each patient maximizing the stability, support, and suction of each denture we deliver.  Check out our videos!  Featuring porcelain teeth, and an innovative blade-bite occlusion pattern which provides unmatched efficiency in chewing and comfort in daily wear.  In addition to the tooth design, the dentures are exceedingly natural in appearance, and do not look like a typical "denture."

We also offer implant retained denture services.  Dental implants can bring new confidence, and significant improvements to the life of a denture-wearer by improving almost all of the most common problems with dentures, including stability, support, and suction or retention. 

not all fillings are the same.

At Nelson Family Dental Group we use tooth-colored filling materials to make aesthetic, functional, (and we think) beautiful composite restorations.  We take the extra time in materials and technique to deliver you a quality restoration that can last for many years.  

Message Dr. Chris Nelson directly, for a prompt reply: