11 pediatric dentists across Ventura County. Browse by city or filter by insurance and telehealth.
11
Pediatric Dentists
100%
Accepting patients
45%
Most common: DDS
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Ventura County sits between LA and Santa Barbara, and its healthcare reflects that in-between quality. The county has four hospitals spread across distinct communities, each serving a different population. It's not a healthcare desert, but it's not deep either, and residents with complex needs often end up heading to LA for subspecialty care.
Ventura County has 11 pediatric dentists. The most common credential is DDS (45%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Ventura County's geography is defined by valleys. The 101 freeway connects Ventura and Oxnard on the coast to Thousand Oaks inland. The 118 runs through Simi Valley. Each city has its own hospital, but specialist access can require driving 20-40 minutes between them. Ojai, Fillmore, and Santa Paula are rural pockets where any hospital visit means a real drive.
Providers practice throughout Ventura County. Ventura (San Buenaventura) is community Memorial Hospital and its physician network are the primary healthcare anchor for this coastal city and county seat. Oxnard is st. John's Regional Medical Center serves Oxnard's large agricultural and Latino community, with strong Spanish-language provider availability. Thousand Oaks is los Robles Regional Medical Center is the primary hospital for this affluent Conejo Valley community, with dense specialist offices along Thousand Oaks Boulevard. Simi Valley is adventist Health Simi Valley is the main hospital, with medical offices concentrated along Cochran Street and Madera Road.
Nearby hospitals include Community Memorial Hospital (Ventura), St. John's Regional Medical Center (Oxnard), and Los Robles Regional Medical Center (Thousand Oaks). Local training programs run through California State University Channel Islands and Ventura College. Ventura County has about 1,800 physicians serving 850,000 residents, a ratio that puts it below the state average.
A first visit for a toddler is short, about 20 to 30 minutes. The dentist may do a "knee-to-knee" exam with the parent holding the child. They will check for cavities, assess bite development, and clean the teeth if the child cooperates. For older children, visits include X-rays (typically starting around age four to five), professional cleaning, fluoride treatment, and an exam. The dentist will discuss brushing technique, diet (sugary drinks are the top cavity cause in children), and fluoride recommendations. If treatment is needed, the dentist will explain behavior management options based on the child's age and temperament.
Ventura County has reasonable dental access in its larger cities, but Ojai, Fillmore, and Santa Paula have very few dentists. If you're in those areas, Ventura or Oxnard are your best options. The Clinicas del Camino Real system offers dental services on a sliding fee scale.
Take your child to a pediatric dentist for their first visit by age one. After that, visits every six months for cleanings and exams are standard. See a pediatric dentist specifically (rather than a general dentist) if your child has significant anxiety about dental visits, special healthcare needs that affect cooperation, multiple cavities requiring treatment under sedation, dental trauma (knocked-out or chipped tooth), or unusual tooth development. Pediatric dentists also manage space maintainers when baby teeth are lost early and can identify early orthodontic issues.
Exam and cleaning: $0-50 copay · Fluoride treatment: $0-25 · Filling: $100-250 · Stainless steel crown: $200-400 · Sedation: $150-500 · Sealants: $30-60 per tooth
Agricultural workers in Oxnard, Santa Paula, and Fillmore often have limited dental insurance. Clinicas del Camino Real runs dental clinics specifically for this population.
A child should see a dentist by their first birthday or when the first tooth appears. Pediatric dentists make early visits positive experiences that set the foundation for a lifetime of good oral health.
Cavities in baby teeth still need treatment because they can cause pain, infection, and damage to developing permanent teeth. Pediatric dentists use child-friendly techniques and, when needed, sedation options.
Fear of the dentist is common in children and can carry into adulthood if not addressed. Pediatric dental offices are designed to be welcoming, and the staff is trained to help anxious children feel safe.
Prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use can affect tooth alignment and jaw development. A pediatric dentist monitors these habits and recommends intervention timing when needed.
Dental sealants coat the chewing surfaces of back teeth, reducing cavity risk by up to 80%. Combined with fluoride treatments, they are one of the most effective preventive tools for children.
Ventura County, CA has 11 licensed pediatric dentists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of pediatric dentists in Ventura County, CA are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Gold Coast Health Plan manages Medi-Cal for Ventura County. Employer plans vary: government and education workers often have CalPERS plans, while agricultural workers may be on Medi-Cal. Covered California offers Blue Shield, Anthem, and Molina options. Clinicas del Camino Real serves as the safety-net provider for uninsured residents.
An exam and cleaning copay is $0 to $50. A filling costs $100 to $250. A stainless steel crown costs $200 to $400. Sealants cost $30 to $60 per tooth. Sedation costs $150 to $500. Actual costs in Ventura County, CA depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Preventive care (exams, cleanings, fluoride, sealants) is covered at 100% by most dental plans and Medicaid. The ACA requires pediatric dental as an essential health benefit in marketplace plans. If your child needs sedation or general anesthesia, ask whether the facility fee may be covered by medical (not dental) insurance.
Ventura County has four distinct hospital zones: Community Memorial (Ventura), St. John's/Dignity Health (Oxnard), Los Robles/HCA (Thousand Oaks), and Adventist Health (Simi Valley). Most specialists affiliate with one hospital, so your choice of PCP often determines where you go for specialty care. For complex cases, UCLA is the most common referral destination.
DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery and DMD stands for Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Ventura County, CA, 45% hold the DDS credential and 27% hold DMD. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
Some pediatric dentists in Ventura County, CA accept Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid and CHIP cover dental care for children in all states with little or no copay. Coverage includes exams, cleanings, fluoride, sealants, fillings, crowns, and sedation when medically necessary. The EPSDT benefit guarantees comprehensive dental coverage for children on Medicaid. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm Medi-Cal participation before scheduling.
Somewhat. Provider fees tend to be 10-15% lower than LA, and you won't deal with LA traffic getting to appointments. But the county has fewer specialists, so for complex care you may still need to go to LA, which adds travel costs and time.
For most conditions, local hospitals handle it. For rare cancers, transplants, complex neurosurgery, and advanced pediatric subspecialties, UCLA Medical Center is the primary referral destination. Some patients also go to Cedars-Sinai or USC. The drive to Westwood is about 60-90 minutes from most Ventura County cities.
Top accepted carriers in Ventura County, CA include qhp-87571, qhp-33602, qhp-30751, humana, and unitedhealthcare.
Most dental insurance plans cover pediatric preventive care (exams, cleanings, fluoride, sealants) at 100% with no copay. Basic restorative work (fillings) is covered at 80%. Crowns and sedation have lower coverage, typically 50% to 80%. The ACA requires pediatric dental coverage in marketplace plans, making children's dental care one of the 10 essential health benefits. Medicaid and CHIP cover dental care for children in all states, often with $0 copay. Space maintainers and interceptive orthodontics may need pre-authorization. If your child needs treatment under general anesthesia, medical insurance may cover the hospital facility fee.