Compare 9 pediatric dentists in Knoxville, TN. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
9
Pediatric Dentists
100%
Accepting patients
44%
Most common: DDS
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Knoxville is the healthcare hub for East Tennessee, a region that stretches from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Cumberland Plateau. The University of Tennessee Medical Center serves as the regional trauma and referral center, while Covenant Health runs the largest community hospital network. For a mid-sized city, Knoxville has solid breadth across specialties, though patients with rare conditions may still be referred to Nashville or Atlanta.
Knoxville has 9 pediatric dentists. The most common credential is DDS (44%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Knoxville's medical facilities spread along the I-40 and Kingston Pike corridors. UT Medical Center sits on Alcoa Highway south of downtown, while Fort Sanders Regional is near the UT campus. West Knoxville and Farragut have growing outpatient campuses along Kingston Pike. The city has no rail transit, and driving is the default. Most destinations within the metro are reachable in 15 to 25 minutes.
Providers practice throughout Knoxville. Downtown Knoxville is fort Sanders Regional Medical Center sits at the edge of downtown, serving the urban core and the UT campus community. Bearden is a west Knoxville commercial corridor with numerous medical and dental offices along Kingston Pike. West Knoxville is parkwest Medical Center and Turkey Creek medical offices serve this fast-growing suburban area near Farragut. South Knoxville is a residential area across the Tennessee River with community health options and proximity to UT Medical Center.
Nearby hospitals include University of Tennessee Medical Center, Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, and Parkwest Medical Center. Local training programs run through University of Tennessee College of Medicine (Knoxville campus) and University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The University of Tennessee Medical Center is the primary Level I trauma center for the 21-county East Tennessee region.
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.
Kingston Pike in Bearden and West Knoxville has the highest concentration of dental offices. For lower-cost options, Cherokee Health Systems community health centers offer dental services on a sliding-scale basis.
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
East Tennessee has higher-than-average rates of tooth decay, partly attributed to lower rates of water fluoridation in surrounding rural counties. Knoxville city water is fluoridated, but patients from outlying areas may need extra preventive care.
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.
Knoxville, TN has 9 licensed pediatric dentists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of pediatric dentists in Knoxville, TN are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
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 Knoxville, TN 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.
Knoxville healthcare runs through two main systems: Covenant Health (community hospitals) and UT Medical Center (academic/trauma). Tennova Healthcare also operates facilities in the area. Your insurance network will steer you toward one system.
DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery and DMD stands for Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Knoxville, TN, 44% hold the DDS credential and 33% hold DMD. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
Some pediatric dentists in Knoxville, TN accept TennCare, 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 TennCare 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 9 pediatric dentists in Knoxville, TN, you can search on FindClarity to find a provider who fits your schedule.
UT Medical Center serves as the Level I trauma and specialty referral center for 21 East Tennessee counties. Covenant Health operates smaller hospitals in Morristown, Sevierville, and other surrounding towns. For routine care, Cherokee Health Systems has locations across the region.
For most routine and specialty care, yes. Knoxville has strong hospital systems and a growing physician base. For highly specialized procedures, rare conditions, or clinical trials, Nashville's Vanderbilt is the next step up and about a 3-hour drive.
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.