Compare 17 pediatric dentists in Salt Lake City, UT. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
17
Pediatric Dentists
100%
Accepting patients
53%
Most common: DDS
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Salt Lake City sits at the intersection of two healthcare powerhouses: the University of Utah, a national leader in genetic research and precision medicine, and Intermountain Health, one of the most studied healthcare systems in the world for operational efficiency. Between them, the Wasatch Front has a depth of care that rivals metros three times its population.
Salt Lake City has 17 pediatric dentists. The most common credential is DDS (53%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
University of Utah Hospital and Huntsman Cancer Institute occupy the foothills east of downtown, accessible via TRAX light rail and bus routes. Intermountain Medical Center, the system's largest facility, sits in Murray about 15 minutes south of downtown. Primary Children's Hospital is adjacent to the U of U campus. The Wasatch Front's north-south layout means most healthcare travel follows I-15 or I-215, and TRAX connects several key medical centers.
Providers practice throughout Salt Lake City. Sugar House is a walkable neighborhood with independent practices and proximity to the University of Utah medical campus. The Avenues is a historic hillside neighborhood near the University of Utah Hospital and Primary Children's Hospital. Downtown Salt Lake City is intermountain Healthcare and University of Utah clinics serve the urban core. Capitol Hill is a central neighborhood near both the U of U medical campus and LDS Hospital.
Nearby hospitals include University of Utah Hospital, Intermountain Medical Center (Murray, nearby), and Primary Children's Hospital. Local training programs run through University of Utah School of Medicine and University of Utah. Intermountain Health, headquartered near Salt Lake City, is one of the most studied healthcare systems in the world for operational efficiency.
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.
Salt Lake has a strong dental market, with practices spread across Sugar House, the 9th and 9th area, and the suburban corridors in Murray and Holladay. The University of Utah School of Dentistry clinic offers reduced-cost care with faculty oversight.
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
Salt Lake City's dry mountain air contributes to chronic dry mouth, and local dentists commonly discuss hydration and its effects on oral health with patients.
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.
Salt Lake City, UT has 17 licensed pediatric dentists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of pediatric dentists in Salt Lake City, UT are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
SelectHealth (Intermountain's insurance arm) is one of the largest carriers in Utah, alongside Regence BlueCross BlueShield, DMBA, and UnitedHealthcare. Utah expanded Medicaid in 2020, and managed care runs through Molina and Healthy U. Both major health systems accept a broad range of plans.
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 Salt Lake City, UT 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.
University of Utah and Intermountain Health are the two dominant systems, and most specialists are affiliated with one or the other. Start by checking which system your insurance covers best. For rare or complex conditions, the University of Utah is the regional referral center. Intermountain covers a broader geographic footprint with clinics across the Wasatch Front.
Some pediatric dentists in Salt Lake City, UT accept Utah 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 Utah 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 17 pediatric dentists in Salt Lake City, UT, you can search on FindClarity to find a provider who fits your schedule.
University of Utah Health is the academic medical center, focused on research, complex cases, and subspecialty care. Intermountain Health is a large nonprofit system with hospitals and clinics across Utah and surrounding states, focused on operational efficiency and population health. Both are highly regarded, and many patients use both systems depending on their needs.
During temperature inversions, typically in January and February, the Salt Lake Valley can have some of the worst air quality in the country. Local physicians see increased visits for asthma, bronchitis, and COPD flare-ups during these periods. Patients with respiratory conditions should monitor air quality indexes and limit outdoor activity on red days.
Top accepted carriers in Salt Lake City, UT include qhp-87571, qhp-46082, qhp-33602, qhp-30751, and qhp-21989.
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.