Compare 14 pediatric dentists in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
14
Pediatric Dentists
100%
Accepting patients
36%
Most common: DMD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Fort Lauderdale sits in the shadow of Miami's medical establishment to the south, but it has quietly built its own identity. Broward Health's public system handles the volume, while Holy Cross's Cleveland Clinic affiliation has brought specialty depth that did not exist here a decade ago.
Fort Lauderdale has 14 pediatric dentists. The most common credential is DMD (36%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Healthcare clusters along three east-west corridors: the downtown/Las Olas strip near Broward Health Medical Center, the Commercial Boulevard corridor near Holy Cross Health, and the Cypress Creek area in the north. I-95 and the Florida Turnpike connect neighborhoods to hospitals, but rush-hour traffic on US-1 and Broward Boulevard can double travel times.
Providers practice throughout Fort Lauderdale. Las Olas is fort Lauderdale's signature boulevard, with specialty and concierge practices clustered between downtown and the beach. Victoria Park is a central residential neighborhood near Broward Health Medical Center with established family practices. Wilton Manors is known as a welcoming LGBTQ+ community with affirming primary care and mental health providers. Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is a small beach town north of Fort Lauderdale with walk-in clinics and proximity to Holy Cross Health.
Nearby hospitals include Broward Health Medical Center, Holy Cross Health (a Cleveland Clinic hospital), and Fort Lauderdale Hospital (behavioral health). Local training programs run through Nova Southeastern University and Florida Atlantic University (nearby Boca Raton campus). Broward Health is one of the ten largest public health systems in the United States, operating multiple hospitals and dozens of outpatient centers across Broward County.
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.
Fort Lauderdale dental practices often cater to seasonal residents and tourists, so same-week availability is common. Nova Southeastern University's dental clinic in nearby Davie offers reduced-cost care with resident dentists.
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
The combination of year-round humidity and a social scene centered on dining and nightlife means Fort Lauderdale dentists see steady cosmetic and restorative demand.
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.
Fort Lauderdale, FL has 14 licensed pediatric dentists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of pediatric dentists in Fort Lauderdale, FL are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Broward County has strong ACA marketplace competition with Florida Blue, Ambetter, Molina, and Oscar all active. PPO plans give more flexibility across the Broward Health and Holy Cross systems. HMO plans may restrict you to one network.
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 Fort Lauderdale, FL 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.
Fort Lauderdale's healthcare market is split between the Broward Health public system and private providers affiliated with Cleveland Clinic (Holy Cross), Baptist Health, and Memorial Healthcare System to the south. Most residents in the city proper use Broward Health or Holy Cross, while those in western suburbs often connect to Memorial or Cleveland Clinic Weston.
DMD stands for Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry and DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Fort Lauderdale, FL, 36% hold the DMD credential and 36% hold DDS. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
Some pediatric dentists in Fort Lauderdale, FL accept Florida Medicaid, 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 Florida Medicaid participation before scheduling.
Holy Cross Health became part of Cleveland Clinic in 2021. The biggest changes are expanded cardiology, neurology, and surgical programs, plus access to Cleveland Clinic's physician network for complex referrals. Day-to-day operations and locations have remained largely the same.
Yes. Many practices in Fort Lauderdale are accustomed to snowbird patients who visit October through April. Urgent care centers along US-1 and Federal Highway accept most out-of-state insurance. For ongoing care, ask your provider about telehealth follow-ups when you return home.
Top accepted carriers in Fort Lauderdale, FL include humana, qhp-87571, qhp-74819, qhp-74313, and qhp-68445.
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.