Compare 45 pediatric dentists in Seattle, WA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
45
Pediatric Dentists
100%
Accepting patients
44%
Most common: DDS
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Seattle is home to one of the country's deepest concentrations of medical research and clinical talent. UW Medicine anchors the academic side, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is a global leader in oncology, and Swedish Medical Center (now part of Providence) operates the largest community hospital network in the metro. The city also has a strong tradition of community health centers serving immigrant and underserved populations.
Seattle has 45 pediatric dentists. The most common credential is DDS (44%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Seattle's medical geography centers on First Hill, sometimes called "Pill Hill," where Swedish, Harborview, and Virginia Mason cluster within a few blocks. UW Medical Center and Seattle Children's sit further north in the University District. The Link light rail connects Capitol Hill and the U-District to downtown, making hospital access by transit feasible. Crossing Lake Washington to the Eastside adds 20 to 40 minutes depending on bridge traffic.
Providers practice throughout Seattle. Capitol Hill is swedish Medical Center's First Hill campus and several LGBTQ+ affirming practices serve this dense, vibrant neighborhood. Fremont is a quirky neighborhood with growing healthcare options and proximity to UW Medical Center. Ballard is swedish Ballard campus provides community hospital care in this waterfront neighborhood. Queen Anne is lower Queen Anne is near the South Lake Union medical corridor and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.
Nearby hospitals include UW Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, and Swedish Medical Center. Local training programs run through University of Washington School of Medicine and Seattle University. UW Medicine is ranked among the top 10 medical schools in the US for primary care, serving a five-state 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.
Seattle has a high cost of living that extends to dental care. If you lack dental insurance, the UW School of Dentistry runs a teaching clinic with reduced fees. Community health centers like HealthPoint and International Community Health Services also offer dental services on a sliding scale.
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
Seattle's coffee culture and frequent rain (which keeps people indoors snacking) contribute to higher-than-average rates of enamel staining and cavities. Dentists here frequently discuss dietary habits as part of 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.
Seattle, WA has 45 licensed pediatric dentists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of pediatric dentists in Seattle, WA are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Premera Blue Cross and Regence Blue Shield are the two dominant commercial carriers in Washington State. Kaiser Permanente has a closed network. Apple Health (Washington Medicaid) is accepted at Harborview, UW Neighborhood Clinics, and most community health centers.
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 Seattle, WA 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.
Seattle has three major systems: UW Medicine (academic), Swedish/Providence (community), and Kaiser Permanente (integrated). Harborview Medical Center (run by UW) is the region's only Level I trauma center. Your employer's insurance plan is the best starting point for choosing a system.
DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery and DMD stands for Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Seattle, WA, 44% hold the DDS credential and 7% hold DMD. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
Some pediatric dentists in Seattle, WA accept Apple Health, 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 Apple Health participation before scheduling.
First Hill is the neighborhood just east of downtown Seattle where Swedish Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, and Virginia Mason are clustered. The nickname comes from this dense concentration of hospitals and medical offices.
Yes, but traffic matters. I-90 and SR-520 bridges connect the Eastside to Seattle, but commute times can double during rush hours. Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue and EvergreenHealth in Kirkland provide strong local options so you don't always need to cross the lake.
Top accepted carriers in Seattle, WA include humana, qhp-33602, 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.