Compare 26 pediatric dentists in Minneapolis, MN. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
26
Pediatric Dentists
100%
Accepting patients
69%
Most common: DDS
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Minneapolis benefits from a healthcare ecosystem built around competition between three major systems: Allina Health, Fairview/M Health, and HealthPartners. The University of Minnesota Medical Center adds academic depth, and the city's Scandinavian-rooted public health tradition means preventive care infrastructure is strong. Minnesota consistently ranks among the healthiest states, and Minneapolis reflects that.
Minneapolis has 26 pediatric dentists. The most common credential is DDS (69%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
The major hospital campuses form a loose triangle: the University of Minnesota Medical Center near Dinkytown, Abbott Northwestern in south Minneapolis near Uptown, and Hennepin Healthcare (HCMC) downtown. Metro Transit bus and light rail connect many of these campuses. In winter, patients should plan extra travel time and consider the skyway system downtown for walking between appointments near Hennepin Healthcare.
Providers practice throughout Minneapolis. Uptown is a vibrant neighborhood near the Chain of Lakes with community clinics and proximity to Abbott Northwestern Hospital. Northeast Minneapolis is a diverse arts district with growing healthcare options and Hennepin Healthcare facilities. North Loop is a trendy warehouse district downtown with walking access to Hennepin Healthcare (HCMC). Loring Park is adjacent to downtown and the Hennepin Healthcare campus, with specialist offices in nearby medical buildings.
Nearby hospitals include University of Minnesota Medical Center, Abbott Northwestern Hospital (Allina Health), and Hennepin Healthcare (HCMC). Local training programs run through University of Minnesota Medical School and Augsburg University. Minnesota is consistently ranked among the healthiest states in the US, with Minneapolis having exceptional healthcare access.
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.
The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry near campus offers reduced-cost care with supervision. Many dental offices in suburbs like Edina and St. Louis Park offer evening and Saturday hours. Bring your insurance card and confirm coverage before your visit, since dental networks in Minnesota can be narrow.
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
Minnesota winters are hard on teeth. Temperature swings between heated indoor air and sub-zero outdoor air cause thermal stress on dental work. Dentists here commonly see cracked fillings and crown failures during January and February.
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.
Minneapolis, MN has 26 licensed pediatric dentists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of pediatric dentists in Minneapolis, MN are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
MNsure is the state ACA marketplace, with plans from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, HealthPartners, Medica, and UCare. Minnesota Medical Assistance (Medicaid) and MinnesotaCare provide coverage for lower-income residents. Employer plans often run through BCBS, HealthPartners, or Medica. The Twin Cities have one of the highest insured rates in the country.
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 Minneapolis, MN 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.
Minneapolis healthcare is split among Allina Health (Abbott Northwestern, Unity, and Mercy hospitals), Fairview/M Health (University of Minnesota Medical Center), and HealthPartners (Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Park Nicollet in St. Louis Park). Hennepin Healthcare (HCMC) is the county safety-net system. Your insurance network often determines which system you can access most affordably.
Some pediatric dentists in Minneapolis, MN accept Medical Assistance / MinnesotaCare, 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 Medical Assistance / MinnesotaCare participation before scheduling.
Children should visit the dentist every six months starting by age one. More frequent visits (every three to four months) may be recommended for children with high cavity risk. Sealants are typically applied between ages six and twelve as permanent molars come in. With 26 pediatric dentists in Minneapolis, MN, you can search on FindClarity to find a provider who fits your schedule.
Allina Health is the largest system in the Twin Cities, operating Abbott Northwestern (the highest-volume hospital in the metro). Fairview/M Health includes the University of Minnesota Medical Center and is more research-oriented. HealthPartners is a consumer-governed nonprofit that runs both insurance plans and hospitals. Hennepin Healthcare (HCMC) is the public safety-net system and a Level I trauma center.
Snow and ice can disrupt appointment schedules from November through March. Most clinics have cancellation policies for weather events. The skyway system downtown provides climate-controlled walking access near Hennepin Healthcare. If you rely on Metro Transit, check for service alerts during major storms.
Top accepted carriers in Minneapolis, MN include humana, qhp-87571, qhp-33602, qhp-30751, and qhp-74819.
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.