Drs. John & Melissa Nelsen opened Nelsen Family Dentistry in 2000. Over the last two decades, we have become a premier dental office in our area by offering the highest quality care available, delivered with skill and compassion. We have been voted Best in Chico for the last 11 years and plan to hold that title for years to come!
Nelsen Family Dentistry is nestled in a serene, tree-lined building, and our office is decorated in soothing, neutral colors to help relax even the most anxious patient. Our address is 1307 Esplanade, Suite 4 in Chico, CA.
Infection control is a set of recommended safety precautions that dentists put in place to protect patients and their staff. Many dental procedures involve direct contact with blood and saliva. Strict infection control helps to stop the spread of disease. Improved infection control procedures call for most of the instruments and supplies that your dentist uses to be either heat-sterilized or disposable. Here at Nelsen Family Dentistry, we use the same strict protocols that are used in hospitals. We have ALWAYS been uncompromising about protecting you, our patients, as well as ourselves. Now is no exception, we are taking extra precautions to make sure that both our staff and you remain more than safe with us during this crazy COVID pandemic.
Dr. John grew up in Washington state. He received his Bachelor of Science degree at Pacific Lutheran University and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. It was there where he first laid eyes on Dr. Missy. They were married and graduated together in 1999, returning to Chico to start this practice in 2000. Dr. John's greatest dental passion is creating beautiful and functional smiles. He enjoys all aspects of dentistry and considers himself blessed to care for patients and is grateful for the trust they put in him to care for their smiles.
Dr. Missy grew up here in Chico, and earned her BA in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Biology at Pacific Union College. She met Dr. John the first day of dental school at Loma Linda University, and the rest is history! She is so excited to be a female dentist back in Chico, practicing together with John & raising their 3 boys. She loves being a mother and is very involved with the boys school and church. She loves practicing dentistry, and especially loves her patients, and loves seeing most of the kids in the practice. She too is committed to providing you with the highest quality of dental care and looks forward to building lifelong relationships with you and your family. When they are not working, you'll find her playing tennis, running, snow skiing, or playing at the lake with friends and family.
We have earned the reputation of Chico's Best Dental Office for a reason. You will not find a more educated or loving group of people who are more passionate about their work, their patients, each other, or life.... We love what we do, and it shows! We are excited to introduce you to this extraordinary group of people:
I was born and raised in Chico and I can't imagine a better place to grow up! I graduated from Chico State in 2004 with a B.A. in Social Science and decided to stay and work in town. Being a patient at Nelsen Family Dentistry, I've always admired what a pleasant and friendly office it was. I was lucky enough to be employed by them in 2008, and havent looked back! It's a pleasure to work with a group of people who are ethical and caring and always put their patients first!
I was born and raised in Paradise California. I graduated from Chico State with my bachelors degree in Business, Human Resources. Due to the Paradise camp fire, my journey in life led me to the dental field at NFD in 2019. Fulfilling patients needs and handling dental care is now a passion I admire. Its a great feeling when our patients say they are excited to come to the dentist! NFD does a great job making everyone feel like family. Even now living in Chico, I continue to love the small town vibe, the services we provide, and the care we can give to our patients. Life is so short, that I promise you will always catch me with a smile. Happiness is everything and I enjoy life by spending it with friends, family, and loved ones.
I have been in the dental field for more than twenty years. Being part of Nelsen Family Dentistry since 2005 has been a pleasure. To work with a professional, caring team, whose goal is to change the lives of each and every patient, is a unique and delightful experience. As your dental insurance and financial coordinator, it is my job to make sure that the dental health of you and your family comes first!
Its great to be part of a team who truly enjoys their jobs and their patients. As a previous patient of Nelsen Family Dentistry, I recognized that patient care and patient satisfaction were top priorities. I knew joining their team would be a great fit for me, and it has been. I have been working here since 2012 and I love it! I feel privileged to work with such quality coworkers and patients alike!
I grew up in central California, and graduated from Loma Linda University in 2000 with my B.S. in dental hygiene. I moved up to Chico in 2004 after falling in love with Northern California. My girls and I love it here! As a mom of three little ones, hygiene has been a great career for me. I enjoy my patients and always look forward to going to work. I feel very privileged to be working with the best of the best at Nelsen Family Dentistry since 2011!
I feel so fortunate to still love what I do after twenty plus years in dentistry! I started as a sterile tech, then assisted, and then went on to the University of Colorado, earning my B.S. in Dental Hygiene. Dentistry has provided a fantastic opportunity to serve people, teach, grow wonderful relationships and most of all, be a part of the patient journey towards health. I am grateful to have landed in an amazing office that values the same and where there is proof that you can love what you do and have a fantastic time doing it. I have been here since 2012, and loved every minute. In my off time you will find me on a trail, at the gym or in the garden enjoying the little things.
I have been practicing dental hygiene since 2008 and was fortunate enough to become a part of the Nelsen Family Dentistry team in 2013. When working, I believe that I am the tool to help my patients become aware of their oral health status and collaborate with them to obtain optimal oral hygiene while creating happy, beautiful smiles. I strive to always maintain a welcoming, caring, and gentle environment. When not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, running, cooking, gardening and reading.
I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a positive and loving team since 2018. I have been practicing dental hygiene in the Chico area since 2007. I love building relationships with my patients while collaborating with them to find the answers to their dental health concerns. Working for Nelsen Family Dentistry has given me the freedom to grow in the dental profession while being fully supported by amazing people. During my downtime I enjoy yoga, camping, rugby and spending time with friends and family. I have three children, all grown and living their best lives. Im looking forward to meeting you all soon!
I am truly honored to be part of Nelsen Family Dentistry since 2018. I was born and raised in Chico, but decided to spread my wings and complete dental hygiene school in the Bay Area. A couple years after I graduated, life brought me back to Chico. I couldnt have found a better place to work. I truly enjoy the patients and every single person I work with. The office environment is so fun and there is always good music playing. I knew it was meant to be the moment I walked in and heard Chris Stapleton. What the Nelsens have created is truly something special.
I have been a Registered Dental Assistant since 2006. In 2010 I had the wonderful opportunity of joining Nelsen Family Dentistry. I am so thankful to be part of a great office surrounded by amazing people I have grown to love. My passion for caring for and helping others makes this career very rewarding, and working here I have been supported and encouraged to continue my education. I am finishing my Extended Functions certification, and am excited to be practicing with these phenomenal doctors . Walking in, people notice the caring atmosphere we have here for each other, and for our patients. It's a pretty special place.
I am one lucky girl! I had the opportunity right out of school to join this fantastic group of talented people in 2013. Nelsen Family Dentistry allowed me to ask questions, they patiently taught me, and motivated me. The team has inspired me to become the best possible registered dental assistant I could be, and are supporting me as I continue to advance my education with Extended Functions certification. My drive to succeed, and this well-rounded knowledgeable staff have allowed me to grow and achieve more than I have ever expected. I can say without a doubt that I love what I do, and I am proud to be a member of Nelsen Family Dentistry. Hope you too can join our family!
I was born and raised in Chico, and love it here! I've been a registered dental assistant since 2008 and had the great opportunity of joining the Nelsen Family Dentistry family in 2010. Being a registered dental assistant has been very rewarding for me. All the staff here are caring and fun to work with, and I enjoy working with all of them! I love that they support me & help encourage me to realize my dreams of continuing my education as I finish my Extended Function certificate. I love working with people, especially being a part of and seeing the results that cosmetic dentistry can have for our patients. Changing someone's smile can change their life! The compassion we have towards our profession and our patients makes me look forward to coming to work each day.
I am so very lucky to be a part of such a fun and caring team! I became a patient at NFD in 2012. The compassion the office had towards me as a patient made me want to become part of the dental field. I then graduated from RDA school in 2014, and was excited to join this team in 2017. When Im not assisting, I love adventuring outside, traveling, hiking with my dog Kash, as well as spending time with family and friends. I look forward to my work every day and love assisting our patients.
I grew up in Paradise, California. In my free time I love adventuring the outdoors with my husband and 2 dogs. When were not in the mountains, were spending time with our close family and friends. I am so blessed to be a part of such an amazing team here at Nelsen Family Dentistry since 2020, and I feel so lucky that they hired me right out of the RDA program. I was seeking a family friendly environment to start my career in, and that is exactly what I found here. I couldnt be happier!
I am so blessed to be a part of the Nelsen Family Dentistry team! I was born here in Chico, CA and have been a dental assistant for the last 5 years. I was very fortunate to be welcomed on the Nelsen Family Dentistry team in May of 2020 and for that I am forever grateful. I couldn't ask for a better home away from home. I love working with such an amazing, talented, and compassionate group of individuals! It's more than just a team, its a family and I can't wait to welcome you to such an amazing practice!