Compare 36 pediatric dentists in Portland, OR. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
36
Pediatric Dentists
100%
Accepting patients
31%
Most common: DMD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Portland's healthcare identity is shaped by OHSU, the only academic medical center in Oregon, perched on Marquam Hill like a small city of its own. Below it, Legacy and Providence split the map into competing networks that give patients real choices. The city's deep roots in naturopathic and integrative medicine mean you'll find treatment philosophies here that barely exist in most metro areas.
Portland has 36 pediatric dentists. The most common credential is DMD (31%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
OHSU sits atop Marquam Hill with an aerial tram connecting to the South Waterfront. Legacy Good Samaritan anchors the northwest side, while Providence Portland covers the east. The MAX light rail and streetcar connect several hospital-adjacent neighborhoods, but most Portlanders drive or bike to appointments. Cross-river commutes between east and west Portland add 15 to 20 minutes during rush hour.
Providers practice throughout Portland. Pearl District is a walkable downtown neighborhood with Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center and specialist offices. Alberta Arts District is a vibrant northeast Portland corridor with community clinics and culturally responsive care options. Hawthorne is a popular southeast neighborhood with independent practices and naturopathic medicine offices. Division is a growing east Portland corridor with new medical offices and quick access to Providence Portland.
Nearby hospitals include OHSU Hospital, Providence Portland Medical Center, and Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center. Local training programs run through Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and Portland State University. OHSU is Oregon's only academic health center and sits atop Marquam Hill overlooking downtown Portland.
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.
Portland has an unusually high concentration of holistic and biological dentists alongside conventional practices. OHSU's dental school clinic offers reduced-cost care with faculty supervision.
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
Portland's non-fluoridated water supply is worth noting. The city has voted against fluoridation multiple times, so pediatric dentists here often recommend supplemental fluoride treatments.
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.
Portland, OR has 36 licensed pediatric dentists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of pediatric dentists in Portland, OR are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Oregon's Medicaid program (Oregon Health Plan) covers a large share of the population and is accepted at most major systems. For marketplace plans, Moda, Providence, and Kaiser Permanente are the dominant carriers. Kaiser operates its own closed network with clinics across the metro.
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 Portland, OR 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.
Portland has strong provider density, but the east side of the city and outer suburbs like Gresham and Troutdale have fewer options. OHSU, Legacy, and Providence each run their own physician networks, so start by checking which system your insurance covers best.
DMD stands for Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry and DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Portland, OR, 31% hold the DMD credential and 31% hold DDS. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
Some pediatric dentists in Portland, OR accept Oregon Health Plan, 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 Oregon Health Plan participation before scheduling.
Oregon is one of a handful of states that license naturopathic physicians with prescribing authority. Many insurance plans, including some OHP and marketplace plans, cover ND visits. Portland has one of the highest naturopathic-doctor-per-capita ratios in the country.
OHSU accepts both referrals and self-scheduled appointments for most departments. As an academic medical center, it tends to handle complex and specialty cases, but its primary care clinics at the South Waterfront and Marquam Hill are open to new patients.
Top accepted carriers in Portland, OR include humana, unitedhealthcare, 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.