Is $290 the Going Cost for a First Time Pediatric Dental Visit?

I never went to a pediatric dentist, and my kids dont go to a pediatric dentist. 290 sounds like a rip off.

I took my 2 yr old(at the time) son to Children's Dental Place and they had a special for new patients- $30 for their first visit, which included the cleaning only. The receptionist told me that they don't usually x-ray unless they find something wrong. I think you should shop around. $290 seems like a lot! Good Luck!

Unless your little one has a problem that you think a pedi dentist would better help with, your regular dentist should be able to do the cleaning and xrays no problem. You know what would work best with your little one but if you read them stories about going to the dentist or even show them a movie about it that youve rented from the library, They should be fine, you can practice brushing on a baby doll, or teddy bear, you can be the dentist and wear a mask, and then your child can have a turn. then maybe plan a special outing for after the dental visit. Make it fun. mykids love the dentist. they get toothbrushes and stickers and no shots!

We go to Dr. Patrick Davis on El Camino Real in Encinitas. His cost is a little higher then the average Peds dentist but we have been extremely happy with him. We had to go to him in crisis when my daughter was 1 and have just stayed with him even though it is a bit of a drive, we live on top of Qualcomm.

In answer to your question. I would call around to see how much everyone else costs. I know in Dr. Davis' case the first visits take longer because he develops a repoire spends more time with the child.

Good luck!!

Stephanie

I used to take my girls to a pediatric dentist and I usually paid the office what my insurance did not pay. I recently took my 3 year old and 6 year old to my dentist instead of their pediatric dentist. Not only did I not have to pay anything for the visit (insurance covered the cleaning), I found my dentist to be even more attentive than the ped. He did the cleanings. I learned so much from this visit, too. As an after thought, I was not at all impressed with the pediatric dentist. Her assistants would do the cleaning and fluoride treatment and she would come in for the last couple minutes (this pediatric dentist is "the dentist" to see in my area). I once read something that said something like if your children don't have issues with their teeth a regular dentist is fine. Why don't you ask your dentist if (s)he will see your little one? At least ask his/her opinion as to whether you should see a pediatric dentist? I hope you have success with your search for a dentist!!!!

Have you called your insurance company to find out whether you were paying your deductible? Most dental plans have a deductible you have to meet before they start paying. It couldn't hurt to call and find out.

Mine isn't even close to that. And a 3 year old isn't going to do xrays - waste of time and money there. Most 4 year olds won't even do the bite wings. Cleaning and flouride at my pediatric dentist is 125 (I think - but low 100's). Flouride is $40, so the rest is cleaning and exam.

I had to pay out of pocket for all my son's doctor's & dentist visits. Our dentist cut me a deal (he also saw me for MY first appt, and my mum for HER first appt... so I can't say as to going rate for dental)... but for med out of pockt a "cheap" Dr's appt is about $300 and a "normal" appt (with labwork & immunizations) is about $750. Anything with xrays automatically adds about 1k for 3 shots, $1500 for 6. Cheap ER visit 5k, ER with xrays and labwork and stitches; 11k. All of which also had the paying-out-of-pocket discount attached.

You should get insurance, it's very cheap. My kids always went to a regular dentist, and as long as they got the little toys at the end, they loved going there!

Sounds like you do not have dental insurance? Most dental plans cover 100% of x-rays but will only cover them once every 12 months. Maybe there is a loophole based on age...For example, x-rays are only covered for kids 5 yrs and up? Not sure - Never heard of anything like that.

And then of course, most dental coverage only pays for visits at approved dental clinics. Did you maybe go to one outside your plan?

For the record, a pediatric dentist might be necessary if your child has significant dental problems. I have heard some children's baby teeth are chock full of cavities and all need to be pulled! Yikes! That might require a specialist. But otherwise, a regular ol' family dentist will suffice.

I'm not real sure, but it seems high. Do you have insurance? Are they on your provider list? If so, the insurance should cover most of it. If you don't have insurance, they you may want to check around for prices and ask friends for referrals.
I personally don't think a 3 year old needs to go to the dentist unless there's a problem.
Good luck.

It sounds very pricey to me. You could ask them if they will give you the PPO contracted rate pricing since you don't have insurance? In the future, always get a quote first. Good luck!

I think it depends at least partly on where the dental practice is located.
It seems to me that examining a child is far more complicated
than examining an adult. The adult knows what to expect
and can actively cooperate. The child doesn't and may not.
Good luck.

I would think the first visit they would just look around and if they saw any issues they would take X-Rays but to each his own. Either way, with X-Rays they are sure if there are cavities forming or any other underlying issues. I always wanted them to know for sure.

I think your insurance should cover at least 80% of this if the dentist is in your provider list. I'd ask how much the future visits are going to be.

I can't say enough about how smart it is to use a pediatric dentist on little kids. They are so much better and if fillings are needed they just put them to sleep and get all the work done in minutes. It is so stress free and easy. I think if you are worried it's too much then get the list of other pediatric dentists on your provider list and call each and every one of them.

We have taken both kids to a pediatric dentist in OKC and driven the 125 miles each way because it is so important to us to get quality care.

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My first visit at a new dentist was $350.00. That included cleaning, X-Rays, checking the teeth, etc....they are establishing a new customer so it's more.

It sounds high but also the same as around here. I would prefer my kids go to a regular dentist but they always refer me to pediatric ones. I think it is too high and I have heard that dentists are hurting like everyone else for money in this economy, so I have heard that they are getting less patients than normal. If I were you, I would try and get your kid a regular dentist or skip the dentist and brush and floss his own teeth and make sure he is eating nutritious foods.

Our visit came to $180 for both my kids (then 1.5 and 3). I don't know why they would need X-rays either.

Jeeze! my dental visits (Including x-rays) are only $65!!! Definitely shop around!!!

Do you have dental insurance? Our insurance covers 1 cleaning and x-rays every 12 months, and for a 2nd cleaning during that period we pay $50 co-pay.

I 100% recommend using a pediatric dentist because they have the proper equipment for tiny mouths. My niece had been going to a regular dentist and it was discovered she had a cavity. Well , she refused to let him fill it so my SIL ended up taking my niece to the pediatric dentist I recommended. Its a good thing to because they took an x-ray and found 4 other cavities in her mouth (between teeth). The regular dentist didn't have appropriate equipment for a 5 yr old's mouth for x-rays. My niece ended up needing surgery and having teeth removed as a result.