Compare 25 pediatric dentists in Tampa, FL. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
25
Pediatric Dentists
100%
Accepting patients
44%
Most common: DDS
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Tampa punches above its weight in healthcare because of two anchors: Tampa General Hospital, the region's only Level I trauma center, and Moffitt Cancer Center, Florida's only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. USF Health ties them together with a research pipeline that keeps attracting specialists to the area.
Tampa has 25 pediatric dentists. The most common credential is DDS (44%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
The medical core sits along the Bayshore corridor from Davis Islands to the USF campus, roughly a 20-minute drive when traffic cooperates. South Tampa residents are close to Tampa General, while north Tampa and New Tampa neighborhoods gravitate toward AdventHealth and St. Joseph's. The Selmon Expressway and I-275 are the main arteries to hospital campuses.
Providers practice throughout Tampa. Hyde Park is an upscale South Tampa neighborhood with specialty practices and close proximity to Tampa General Hospital. Ybor City is a historic district east of downtown with community clinics and quick access to Tampa General. Seminole Heights is a revitalizing neighborhood with growing healthcare options and proximity to AdventHealth Tampa. South Tampa is a family-focused area near Tampa General Hospital and the Bayshore medical corridor.
Nearby hospitals include Tampa General Hospital, Moffitt Cancer Center, and AdventHealth Tampa. Local training programs run through University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine and University of Tampa. Moffitt Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center based in Florida.
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.
Tampa's dental market is competitive, which means most offices accept walk-ins or offer same-week appointments. The USF College of Dentistry clinic near Fowler Avenue provides reduced-cost care with supervised residents.
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
Tampa's high humidity and warm climate year-round can contribute to dry mouth from constant air conditioning use, which increases cavity risk. Staying hydrated matters more than people realize.
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.
Tampa, FL has 25 licensed pediatric dentists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of pediatric dentists in Tampa, FL are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Florida Blue and UnitedHealthcare dominate the Tampa Bay employer market. On the ACA marketplace, Ambetter and Molina offer the most affordable plans, though their networks can be narrower. Verify that your preferred hospital system is in-network before enrolling.
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 Tampa, 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.
Tampa's healthcare market is dominated by three systems: BayCare, AdventHealth, and Tampa General/USF Health. Most primary care physicians are affiliated with one of these networks, so choosing a PCP often means choosing a system for referrals and hospital access.
DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery and DMD stands for Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Tampa, FL, 44% hold the DDS credential and 32% hold DMD. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
Some pediatric dentists in Tampa, 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.
Yes, Moffitt is exclusively a cancer treatment and research center. It does not provide general medical care, but it accepts referrals from any physician in the state. You do not need to be a Tampa resident to seek treatment there.
Active-duty members use the MacDill clinic and TRICARE network. Veterans and military families can access James A. Haley Veterans Hospital on the north side of Tampa, or find TRICARE-accepting civilian providers through the BayCare and AdventHealth networks.
Top accepted carriers in Tampa, FL include qhp-87571, qhp-33602, qhp-30751, humana, and qhp-46082.
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.