DentalNPI
Specialty

Pediatric Dentists in the U.S.

Specialized care for infants, children, and teens. Featuring 60 top-ranked providers across 23 states, classified under the pediatric-dentist dental sub-specialty.

Verified · NPPES (CMS)refreshed May 7, 2026

National pediatric dentist snapshot

Aggregates over 510 indexed pediatric dentists in 51 states.

Indexed providersNPPES

510

Across 51 states.

Medicare-enrolledCMS

44%

226 of 510 have CMS enrollment on file.

HPSA-servingHRSA

9%

44 practice in HRSA-designated dental shortage areas.

Avg practice locationsCMS

1.9

Mean across CMS provider enrollment records — oral surgeons trend higher because of multi-site privileges.

Median industry paymentOpen Payments

$139

Calculated over 412 pediatric dentists with disclosures. Higher in implant/oral-surgery specialties — disclosure is normal under federal Sunshine Act.

Top states

Years in practice (graduation → today)

Among indexed pediatric dentists with a graduation year on file. Shape signals whether the specialty skews early- career or established.

  • 0–96
  • 10–195
  • 20–293
  • 30–393
  • 40+2

Browse pediatric dentists by state

Featured providers

Sorted by content score

Showing the top 60 nationwide. For deeper lookups, pick a state above.

What is a pediatric dentist?

A pediatric dentist (sometimes called a pedodontist) specializes in the dental care of infants, children, and teens, including kids with special health-care needs. Their offices are designed for small patients, and they're trained in behavior management, sedation appropriate for kids, and developmental issues like early childhood caries and tooth-eruption problems.

Training

After dental school, a pediatric dentist completes a 2-year postdoctoral residency in pediatric dentistry. Many are board-certified through the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

When to see one

  • A child's first dental visit (recommended by age 1 or within 6 months of the first tooth)
  • A child with significant dental anxiety or special needs
  • Concerns about thumb-sucking, pacifier use, or tooth-grinding
  • Knocked-out or chipped baby tooth
  • Anything sedation-related — pediatric dentists are trained for kids specifically

Typical costs

Uninsured cash estimates from FAIR Health and ADA Health Policy Institute. Prices vary widely by region.

Pediatric exam + cleaning
$80–$200
Sealants (per tooth)
$30–$60
Primary-tooth filling
$100–$250
Stainless-steel crown (baby tooth)
$200–$400
Frequently asked

Questions about pediatric dentists

  • When should my child first see a dentist?
    The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first visit by age 1, or within 6 months of the first tooth coming in — whichever comes first.
  • Does Medicaid cover pediatric dental care?
    Yes. Federal EPSDT rules require Medicaid and CHIP to cover medically necessary dental care for children in every state, including check-ups, cleanings, fluoride, sealants, fillings, and extractions.
  • Are baby teeth really worth treating if they'll fall out?
    Yes. Baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth, help with chewing and speech, and can develop infections that affect the developing adult tooth underneath. Untreated decay in primary teeth is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases in the US.
  • Can a regular family dentist see my kid?
    Many do, and many do it well. A pediatric specialist is most worth seeking out for very young children, kids with anxiety or special needs, complex sedation cases, or unusual developmental issues.