Compare 8 pediatric dentists in Tulsa, OK. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
8
Pediatric Dentists
100%
Accepting patients
63%
Most common: DDS
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Tulsa's healthcare runs on a two-system engine: Saint Francis Health System on the south side and Ascension St. John on the north, with Hillcrest filling the middle. The city's osteopathic medical school at OSU gives Tulsa an unusual strength in primary care training, and that pipeline keeps the region better staffed than much of rural Oklahoma.
Tulsa has 8 pediatric dentists. The most common credential is DDS (63%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including Cherry Street, Brookside, Blue Dome District, and Kendall-Whittier.
Saint Francis Hospital anchors the south Tulsa medical corridor along Yale Avenue, while Ascension St. John Medical Center serves the north side from its Utica Avenue campus. Hillcrest Medical Center sits near downtown, connecting midtown and the inner neighborhoods. Most specialty practices cluster within a few miles of these three hospitals. Tulsa's grid layout makes navigation straightforward, and drive times across the metro rarely exceed 25 minutes.
Nearby hospitals include Saint Francis Health System, Hillcrest Medical Center, and Ascension St. John Medical Center. Local training programs run through Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences and University of Oklahoma-Tulsa. Saint Francis Health System is the largest hospital in Oklahoma by bed count and a major employer in the Tulsa metro.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma is the largest commercial carrier. SoonerCare covers a significant share of the population following Medicaid expansion. CommunityCare, a Tulsa-based health plan affiliated with Saint Francis, is popular for employer groups. UnitedHealthcare and Aetna round out the employer-sponsored market.
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.
Tulsa has a good supply of general dentists, and many accept SoonerCare (Oklahoma Medicaid). The OU College of Dentistry partners with local clinics for reduced-cost care, particularly for uninsured patients.
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
Oklahoma's sugary-drink consumption rate is among the highest in the country, and Tulsa dentists frequently address early childhood cavities and sugar-related enamel erosion.
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.
Tulsa, OK has 8 licensed pediatric dentists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of pediatric dentists in Tulsa, OK are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
SoonerCare (Oklahoma Medicaid) is the state's managed care program and is accepted at most major Tulsa hospitals and clinics. For marketplace plans, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma and CommunityCare are the primary carriers. Employer plans commonly feature BlueCross, UnitedHealthcare, or Aetna.
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 Tulsa, OK 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.
Tulsa is well-served compared to the rest of Oklahoma, but some specialties, particularly endocrinology and rheumatology, have limited availability. Saint Francis, Ascension St. John, and Hillcrest each run their own physician networks, so check which system your insurance favors.
Some pediatric dentists in Tulsa, OK accept SoonerCare, 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 SoonerCare 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 8 pediatric dentists in Tulsa, OK, you can search on FindClarity to find a provider who fits your schedule.
SoonerCare is Oklahoma's Medicaid program, expanded in 2021 to cover adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Most Tulsa hospitals and a large portion of primary care and specialty providers accept it. You can apply through the Oklahoma Health Care Authority website.
Yes. Tulsa has a well-developed behavioral health network, including 12 & 12, DVIS, and the Tulsa Center for Behavioral Health. Many accept SoonerCare and offer outpatient and residential programs.
Top accepted carriers in Tulsa, OK include qhp-87571, qhp-33602, qhp-30751, humana, and qhp-28725.
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.