Dean Sandoval was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to parents who were silversmiths. He grew up in Tohajiilee (formerly Cañoncito) on the Navajo reservation, where he and his siblings learned the craft. His mother, Alta Sandoval, and his sister, Bonnie Sandoval, are both currently working silversmiths. Dean is married and has three young children. He loves the outdoors, and has given up his pasttime of participating in rodeo events as he is "getting too old."