Compare 2 pediatric dentists in St. Louis, MO. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
2
Pediatric Dentists
100%
Accepting patients
50%
Most common: DMD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
St. Louis punches above its weight in healthcare, anchored by Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital, consistently ranked among the top ten hospitals in the country. The city also benefits from Saint Louis University's medical school and a deep bench of community hospitals operated by SSM Health and Mercy. With more hospital beds per capita than nearly any other US city, capacity is rarely the issue here. Finding the right fit within those systems is.
St. Louis has 2 pediatric dentists. The most common credential is DMD (50%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including Central West End, Soulard, The Hill, and Tower Grove.
The Washington University Medical Campus and Barnes-Jewish Hospital sit in the Central West End, which is the city's primary medical district. SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital is just south of downtown. Mercy Hospital St. Louis is in west St. Louis County near Creve Coeur. MetroLink light rail has a station at the Central West End, providing direct transit access to Barnes-Jewish. Most patients outside the city core drive, with I-64 and I-44 connecting the major hospital campuses.
Nearby hospitals include Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Children's Hospital, and SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital. Local training programs run through Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Barnes-Jewish Hospital, affiliated with Washington University, is consistently ranked among the top 10 hospitals in the nation.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare are the dominant commercial carriers in the St. Louis metro. Ambetter is the largest ACA marketplace presence. BJC HealthCare participates in most employer plans but is excluded from some narrow-network marketplace offerings. MO HealthNet (Medicaid) enrollment is significant, with managed care through Home State Health and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan.
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 SLU Center for Advanced Dental Education offers specialty dental care at reduced rates. Washington University does not operate a general dental clinic, but many private practices in the Central West End and Clayton accept new patients quickly. Missouri dental Medicaid (MO HealthNet) coverage for adults is limited, so confirm coverage before booking.
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
St. Louis water is fluoridated. The humid summers and cold winters create seasonal dry mouth and cracked tooth issues similar to other Midwestern cities. Air conditioning in summer can also contribute to dry oral tissues.
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.
St. Louis, MO has 2 licensed pediatric dentists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of pediatric dentists in St. Louis, MO are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Missouri residents use HealthCare.gov for ACA marketplace plans. Ambetter, Anthem, and Aetna offer plans in the St. Louis area. MO HealthNet is the state Medicaid program. Employer-sponsored plans often include BJC, Mercy, and SSM in-network, but always verify. The St. Louis metro also extends into Illinois, so residents in the Metro East may have different plan options.
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 St. Louis, MO 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.
St. Louis healthcare is organized around BJC HealthCare (Barnes-Jewish and affiliated hospitals), SSM Health (Saint Louis University Hospital and community hospitals), and Mercy. BJC/Washington University is the academic powerhouse for specialty referrals. SSM and Mercy operate broader community networks. Your insurance plan's network will determine which system is most affordable, and narrow-network plans that exclude BJC/WashU are common on the ACA marketplace.
DMD stands for Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry and DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery. Both are equivalent qualifications. In St. Louis, MO, 50% hold the DMD credential and 50% hold DDS. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
Some pediatric dentists in St. Louis, MO accept MO HealthNet, 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 MO HealthNet participation before scheduling.
Barnes-Jewish Hospital is a separate institution from Washington University, but they are closely affiliated. Washington University physicians staff Barnes-Jewish, and the medical campus is shared. Together they form the BJC HealthCare system. When people refer to "Wash U Medicine," they usually mean the combined academic and clinical enterprise.
St. Louis City and St. Louis County are separate jurisdictions, which can affect Medicaid eligibility, public health services, and some community programs. Most hospital systems and private practices serve both areas regardless of the boundary. If you are on MO HealthNet, confirm your provider accepts patients from your specific jurisdiction.
Top accepted carriers in St. Louis, MO include qhp-87571, qhp-33602, and qhp-30751.
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.