Compare 23 pediatric dentists in Jacksonville, FL. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
23
Pediatric Dentists
100%
Accepting patients
35%
Most common: DMD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Jacksonville is where Mayo Clinic meets a sprawling Southern city. The Mayo campus gives Jacksonville a national reputation for complex specialty care, but the day-to-day healthcare experience for most residents is shaped by Baptist Health, the region's largest system, and UF Health Jacksonville, which serves as the safety-net hospital for the urban core.
Jacksonville has 23 pediatric dentists. The most common credential is DMD (35%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Jacksonville covers over 875 square miles, which means healthcare access depends heavily on which part of the city you live in. The Southbank medical district near downtown, the Mayo Clinic campus off San Pablo Road on the east side, and the Baptist South campus in Mandarin form three distinct hubs. Bridges over the St. Johns River create bottlenecks, so crossing the river for appointments adds real time.
Providers practice throughout Jacksonville. Riverside is a walkable urban neighborhood near Baptist Medical Center's downtown campus with a growing medical office district. San Marco is a charming neighborhood south of downtown with independent practices and proximity to Baptist and Nemours. Avondale is a residential area adjacent to Riverside, sharing access to Baptist and St. Vincent's medical facilities. Jacksonville Beach is beaches communities served by Baptist Beaches hospital and Mayo Clinic's main campus nearby.
Nearby hospitals include Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, UF Health Jacksonville, and Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville. Local training programs run through University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville and Mayo Clinic School of Medicine (Jacksonville campus). Mayo Clinic Jacksonville is one of three Mayo Clinic campuses and a nationally ranked destination for specialty care.
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.
Jacksonville has a competitive dental market with many practices offering same-day appointments. The UF Health Jacksonville dental clinic provides reduced-cost care for patients who qualify.
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
Jacksonville's tap water is fluoridated by JEA, which benefits dental health across the metro. However, the high pollen counts in spring can worsen periodontal inflammation for allergy sufferers.
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.
Jacksonville, FL has 23 licensed pediatric dentists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of pediatric dentists in Jacksonville, FL are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Florida Blue has the largest market share in the Jacksonville area for both employer and individual plans. On the ACA marketplace, Ambetter and Molina offer lower-cost options. Many military families use TRICARE, and Baptist Health accepts most TRICARE plans.
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 Jacksonville, 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.
Baptist Health dominates primary care in Jacksonville, with the most locations and the largest physician network. Mayo Clinic Jacksonville is primarily a referral center for complex cases, not a place most residents go for routine care. UF Health Jacksonville is the main safety-net hospital for uninsured and underinsured patients.
DMD stands for Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry and DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Jacksonville, FL, 35% hold the DMD credential and 35% hold DDS. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
Some pediatric dentists in Jacksonville, 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.
For most departments, yes. Mayo Clinic Jacksonville operates primarily as a referral center for complex or rare conditions. Your primary care physician or specialist can initiate a referral. Some departments accept self-referrals, but calling ahead to check is recommended.
It depends on your location. UF Health Jacksonville downtown is the region's primary Level I trauma center. Baptist Medical Center downtown and Baptist South in Mandarin also have emergency departments. The Beaches community is served by Baptist Beaches.
Top accepted carriers in Jacksonville, FL include qhp-87571, qhp-33602, qhp-30751, humana, and qhp-44228.
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.