Compare 53 pediatric dentists in Dallas, TX. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
53
Pediatric Dentists
100%
Accepting patients
47%
Most common: DDS
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Dallas healthcare runs through two powerhouse institutions: UT Southwestern, which is one of the top academic medical centers in the country, and Parkland Memorial, the massive public hospital that serves as the region's safety net. Between those anchors and a competitive private hospital market, Dallas has deep specialty capacity and real options for patients at every income level.
Dallas has 53 pediatric dentists. The most common credential is DDS (47%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
The UT Southwestern/Parkland complex sits northwest of downtown along Harry Hines Boulevard. Baylor University Medical Center is east of downtown in Deep Ellum. Medical City Dallas anchors the North Dallas corridor off the LBJ Freeway. Texas Health Presbyterian has campuses in multiple suburbs. The DART light rail connects downtown to some hospital areas, but most patients in the sprawling DFW metro drive to appointments.
Providers practice throughout Dallas. Uptown is a dense, walkable area with specialist offices and quick access to Parkland and UT Southwestern. Deep Ellum is an arts district east of downtown, served by Baylor University Medical Center nearby. Bishop Arts District is a vibrant Oak Cliff neighborhood with community clinics serving a diverse population. Highland Park is an affluent enclave with concierge practices and proximity to UT Southwestern and Texas Health Presbyterian.
Nearby hospitals include Parkland Memorial Hospital, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and Baylor University Medical Center. Local training programs run through UT Southwestern Medical Center and Southern Methodist University. UT Southwestern is one of the top academic medical centers in the nation, with six Nobel Prize winners on faculty.
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.
Dallas has strong dental access across most neighborhoods. The Texas A&M College of Dentistry (formerly Baylor College of Dentistry) in East Dallas offers reduced-rate comprehensive dental care. Private practice wait times for new patients are generally under two weeks.
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
Dallas's hard water (high mineral content from North Texas limestone) can contribute to calculus buildup. Regular cleanings are especially important here. The city's barbecue and sweet tea traditions also mean above-average sugar consumption.
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.
Dallas, TX has 53 licensed pediatric dentists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of pediatric dentists in Dallas, TX are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas dominates the DFW employer market. UnitedHealthcare and Aetna are common for large corporate employers. Parkland Health serves uninsured Dallas County residents through financial assistance programs. Texas didn't expand Medicaid, so the marketplace (healthcare.gov) is the primary option for low-income residents who don't qualify for Medicaid.
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 Dallas, TX 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.
Dallas healthcare is shaped by four major systems. UT Southwestern is the academic powerhouse (research, complex cases, six Nobel laureates). Baylor Scott & White is the largest nonprofit system in Texas with multiple DFW campuses. Texas Health Resources operates Presbyterian-branded hospitals across the suburbs. Medical City (HCA) runs several hospitals in north and east Dallas. Parkland Health is the county's public system.
Some pediatric dentists in Dallas, TX accept Texas Medicaid, 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 Texas Medicaid 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 53 pediatric dentists in Dallas, TX, you can search on FindClarity to find a provider who fits your schedule.
Parkland Health operates a financial assistance program for Dallas County residents who are uninsured or underinsured. Eligibility is income-based and covers care at Parkland Memorial Hospital and its network of community-oriented primary care clinics across Dallas County. Apply at any Parkland clinic or online through their website.
There is a well-documented gap. North Dallas and the northern suburbs have a higher concentration of private hospitals, specialists, and insured patients. Southern Dallas neighborhoods have fewer providers and rely more heavily on Parkland clinics and community health centers. UT Southwestern has expanded clinics into southern Dallas to help address this disparity.
Top accepted carriers in Dallas, TX include qhp-33602, humana, qhp-87571, qhp-30751, and unitedhealthcare.
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.