Community Highlights: Meet Andrew Vo of Tiny Tooth Co.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Vo.

Hi Andrew, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey has never followed a straight path, but every chapter has shaped who I am today.

I grew up in Huntington Beach as the son of Vietnamese refugees. My parents came to the United States with very little after fleeing Vietnam, carrying nothing but hope for a better future. Watching them work tirelessly to build a life for our family taught me resilience, gratitude, and the importance of serving others. Those lessons continue to guide every decision I make.

Initially, I studied economics at UC Irvine before realizing my true passion was healthcare. I earned my dental degree from USC in 2015, served four years as an active-duty Army dentist, and later completed my pediatric dentistry residency and master’s degree at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University. Today, I continue serving as a Major in the U.S. Army Reserve while practicing pediatric dentistry.

Along the way, I met my husband, Marcus, another pediatric dentist. What started as a first date quickly became a partnership built on shared values, mutual respect, and a vision much bigger than ourselves. Together, we dreamed of creating a practice where children actually enjoy going to the dentist and parents feel genuinely cared for.

In 2024, we opened Tiny Tooth Co. in Costa Mesa. We built it from the ground up to feel different from the traditional dental office—bright, welcoming, fun, and centered around prevention, education, and creating positive childhood memories. Watching anxious children leave smiling has become the most rewarding part of what we do.

Outside the office, I’m passionate about fitness, community service, teaching, and mentorship. Whether I’m leading an indoor cycling class, mentoring residents, volunteering locally, or serving in the military, I believe leadership is about making people feel seen, supported, and capable of more than they thought possible.

Today, Marcus and I are preparing for our next adventure—becoming parents through IVF and surrogacy. We have embryos on ice and looking for our surrogate to hold our future babies. Building our family has reminded us that some of life’s greatest blessings require patience, perseverance, and unwavering hope.

Looking back, my story isn’t simply about becoming a dentist or opening a successful business. It’s about honoring the sacrifices of those who came before me, embracing authenticity, and using every opportunity to leave people better than I found them. If there’s one lesson I’ve learned, it’s that success isn’t measured by titles or achievements—it’s measured by the impact you have on the lives of others.

I still believe the best chapters are yet to come.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like most meaningful journeys, ours has been filled with challenges that ultimately made us stronger.

Personally, one of my biggest obstacles was learning to embrace who I was. Growing up in a conservative household, coming out wasn’t easy. There was fear of disappointing my family and uncertainty about what my future would look like. Over time, honest conversations, patience, and unconditional love helped us grow closer than ever, and today my family is incredibly supportive of both Marcus and me.

Professionally, the road wasn’t always straightforward either. Between dental school, military service, residency, and years of advanced training, there were countless sacrifices—long hours, financial stress, moving across the country, and delaying many personal milestones while we focused on building our careers.

Opening Tiny Tooth Co. was another leap of faith. Starting a practice from scratch meant taking significant financial risks, building a team, earning the trust of families, and creating a brand that reflected our vision. There were plenty of sleepless nights wondering if we had made the right decision, but every challenge reinforced why we started in the first place.

One of our most personal struggles has been the journey to parenthood. Building our family through IVF and surrogacy has taught us resilience, patience, and gratitude in ways we never expected. Like many families navigating fertility, we’ve experienced setbacks and uncertainty, but we’ve also learned that some of life’s greatest blessings are worth waiting for.

Looking back, I wouldn’t change any of those challenges. They’ve shaped our perspective, strengthened our relationship, and reminded us that success isn’t about avoiding obstacles—it’s about continuing to move forward with purpose, even when the path isn’t easy.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Tiny Tooth Co. was founded with one simple goal: to change the way children experience the dentist. We believe dental visits should be something kids look forward to—not fear. Every detail of our practice was intentionally designed to create a fun, welcoming, and memorable experience while delivering the highest standard of pediatric dental care.

As a doctor-owned practice led by four board-certified pediatric dentists, we specialize exclusively in caring for infants, children, adolescents, and patients with special healthcare needs. Our approach combines evidence-based dentistry with compassion, education, and prevention, empowering families to establish healthy habits that last a lifetime.

What truly sets us apart is that we don’t just treat teeth—we build relationships. We take the time to understand every child, celebrate their milestones, and create an environment where they feel safe, confident, and excited to return. Whether it’s a first dental visit, treating dental anxiety, airway evaluations, tongue-tie assessments, minimally invasive dentistry, or comprehensive care under general anesthesia, we meet children where they are and tailor treatment to their individual needs.

Our practice is also deeply rooted in the community. We regularly partner with local schools, parent groups, nonprofits, and youth organizations to provide oral health education, sponsor community events, and make dental care more accessible for families throughout Orange County.

Beyond the office, we’re passionate about innovation. We’re developing educational products and resources that make oral health fun and approachable while expanding the Tiny Tooth Co. brand beyond our four walls. Our vision has always been bigger than a single practice—we hope to redefine what pediatric dentistry can look and feel like for families everywhere.

The thing we’re most proud of isn’t our office or our growth—it’s hearing parents tell us their child asks, “When do I get to go back to the dentist?” That’s when we know we’re accomplishing exactly what we set out to do: creating healthier smiles while building positive childhood memories that last a lifetime.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
One of the biggest misconceptions about networking is that it’s about collecting business cards or meeting as many people as possible. I’ve found it’s really about building genuine relationships over time.

Early in my career, I looked for mentors whose careers I admired—not just because they were successful, but because of how they treated people. Some of my greatest mentors didn’t even know they were mentoring me at first. I showed up consistently, asked thoughtful questions, followed through, and looked for ways to add value before asking for anything in return.

My advice is to never be afraid to reach out. Most people are surprisingly willing to help someone who is humble, prepared, and genuinely eager to learn. Don’t ask someone to “be your mentor.” Instead, ask one specific question, seek advice on a particular challenge, and most importantly, apply their advice. When people see you taking action, those conversations naturally evolve into lasting mentorships.

Networking has also been instrumental in our journey. Many of the opportunities we’ve had—from speaking engagements and collaborations to building Tiny Tooth Co.—came from relationships, not resumes. We invest heavily in our community by attending conferences, supporting local organizations, teaching, and simply showing up consistently. People remember authenticity, kindness, and reliability far more than a perfect elevator pitch.

Finally, don’t limit yourself to mentors within your own profession. Some of the best lessons I’ve learned about leadership, branding, entrepreneurship, and life have come from people outside of dentistry. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, inspire you, and genuinely want to see you succeed. Those relationships will have a far greater impact than any single networking event ever could.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tinytoothco.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/tinytoothco
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/ggZZAoC3Cr