Pediatric Dentist in Memphis

June 14, 2026

Choosing a pediatric dentist in Memphis often comes down to one question: what does the extra training actually buy a family? A pediatric dentist holds a DDS or DMD degree like any dentist, but then completes two to three additional years of residency devoted to the dental development, behavior, and treatment of children, including those with medical, physical, or developmental conditions. Pediatric dentistry is a dental specialty recognized by the American Dental Association, and some practitioners also hold voluntary board certification from the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry after passing a demanding examination. That preparation is precisely why parents of very young children, anxious children, or children with special needs frequently look for a dedicated children’s office rather than a general practice.

A dedicated office focuses entirely on the oral health of infants, children, adolescents, and patients with special health care needs, and it is set up to carry a child from a first tooth through the teenage years in surroundings designed to ease nerves. Memphis supports a wide field of these practices. As the seat of Shelby County and the second-largest city in Tennessee, with a population of about 618,980 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), the city and its surrounding suburbs are home to a large base of young families whose needs keep children’s dental care in steady demand.

The treatments these offices handle generally cover everything a growing child requires. Typical care includes infant oral exams, routine cleanings and exams, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, tooth-colored fillings, crowns, space maintainers, and early orthodontic screening, plus sedation options that run from nitrous oxide up to general anesthesia for the youngest or most medically complex patients when warranted. Costs are subject to Tennessee’s 7% state sales tax combined with Shelby County’s local option, one of the higher combined rates in the state, though most medical and dental services are exempt from sales tax altogether.

Regulation of every dentist in Memphis runs through the Tennessee Board of Dentistry, which operates under the Tennessee Department of Health and is responsible for licensure, continuing-education standards, and discipline. A parent can verify that a dentist holds an active Tennessee license using the Department of Health’s online verification tool, and complaints about a dentist’s care or conduct are directed to the department’s Division of Health Related Boards. Disputes over billing or advertising may also be addressed under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), enforced by the Division of Consumer Affairs. Since the board licenses individual practitioners and does not routinely certify advertised specialties, asking an office directly about residency and board certification remains the surest way to confirm pediatric training. This article is general and educational information, not medical or dental advice, and a licensed dentist should weigh in on any individual child’s situation.

Top Pediatric Dentist Providers in Memphis

1. Pediatric Dental Care of Memphis

Address: 717 S White Station Road, Suite 7, Memphis, TN 38117
Phone: (901) 560-4386
Website: https://www.pdocforkids.com
Services: dental exams and cleanings, sealants, fillings, sports dentistry and mouthguards, sedation dentistry, special-needs dentistry, emergency pediatric dentistry
Description: Pediatric Dental Care of Memphis is a children’s dental practice operating two Memphis offices, one on South White Station Road and a second at 6611 Kirby Center Cove (901-363-8192). The practice is staffed by a group of pediatric dentists, including Corey Acosta, DDS, John Acosta, DDS, Jacob Stegeman, DDS, Brad Wilkinson, DDS, Robin Hobbs, DDS, and Patrick Nabholz, DDS. Services range from routine exams, cleanings, sealants, and fillings to sports dentistry and mouthguards, sedation dentistry, special-needs dentistry, and emergency care. The office emphasizes a family-friendly approach, welcoming parents to accompany their children throughout treatment and using kid-friendly language to keep young patients comfortable.

2. Dr. B’s Pediatric Dentistry

Address: 6363 Poplar Avenue, Suite 110, Memphis, TN 38119
Phone: (901) 415-2536
Website: https://drblen.com
Services: routine cleanings and exams, fluoride treatments, sealants, cavity fillings, preventive care, restorative care, emergency care, care for children with special needs
Description: Dr. B’s Pediatric Dentistry is a single-location pediatric dental office in Memphis led by Dr. Michael Blen, DDS, who is joined by Dr. Lydia Watson. The practice organizes its young patients into groups it calls Baby Bees (ages 0 to 3), Junior Bees (ages 4 to 12), Senior Bees (teenagers), and a group for patients with special needs, reflecting its focus on care tailored to a child’s developmental stage. Services include routine cleanings and exams, fluoride treatments, sealants, cavity fillings, and preventive, restorative, and emergency care. The office notes affiliations with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and emphasizes a warm, welcoming setting with a flexible approach to parental involvement.

3. All About Kids Pediatric Dentistry

Address: 3285 Hacks Cross Road, Suite 101, Memphis, TN 38125
Phone: (901) 759-0970
Website: https://www.pediatricdentistmemphis.com
Services: dental exams, cleanings, and preventive care, tooth-colored fillings and extractions, sealants, pediatric dental crowns, pulpotomy and pulpectomy, IV sedation dentistry, space maintenance, baby bottle tooth decay treatment, special-needs dentistry, pediatric dental emergencies
Description: All About Kids Pediatric Dentistry is a Memphis children’s dental office led by Dr. Courtney Wilson that welcomes infants, toddlers, children, teens, and children with special needs. The practice offers a broad range of services, including exams, cleanings, and preventive care, tooth-colored fillings, extractions, sealants, pediatric crowns, pulpotomy and pulpectomy procedures, space maintenance, and baby bottle tooth decay treatment. For patients who require it, the office provides IV sedation dentistry as well as emergency care. The practice describes its environment as fun and encouraging, with an emphasis on praise and a child-friendly team approach.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric Dentist in Memphis

Q: What is a pediatric dentist, and how is one different from a general dentist?

A pediatric dentist is a dental specialist who has completed dental school plus an additional two to three years of residency training focused on the oral health of infants, children, teenagers, and patients with special health care needs. A general dentist treats patients of all ages, while a pediatric dentist concentrates on the dental development and behavioral needs of children. Many pediatric dentists also pursue voluntary board certification through the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

Q: Who licenses and regulates dentists in Memphis and Tennessee?

Dentists in Tennessee are licensed and regulated by the Tennessee Board of Dentistry, which operates under the Tennessee Department of Health. The board sets licensing and continuing-education requirements and handles disciplinary matters for dentists practicing anywhere in the state, including Memphis.

Q: How do I verify a Memphis dentist’s license?

You can confirm that a dentist holds an active Tennessee license through the Tennessee Department of Health’s online license verification system, which lists the practitioner’s license status. If you want to confirm that a dentist is a trained pediatric specialist, you can also ask the office about the dentist’s residency training and any board certification.

Q: How do I file a complaint about a pediatric dentist in Memphis?

Complaints about a dentist’s care or professional conduct are filed with the Tennessee Department of Health through its Division of Health Related Boards, which oversees the Board of Dentistry. Complaints about billing or advertising practices may also fall under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), enforced by the Division of Consumer Affairs.

Q: When should a child first see a pediatric dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child have a first dental visit by the time the first tooth appears and no later than the child’s first birthday. Many Memphis pediatric offices offer infant oral exams for exactly this reason, allowing the dentist to monitor development early and give parents guidance on home care. This is general information; a licensed dentist can advise on the right timing for a specific child.

Q: What services do pediatric dentists in Memphis typically offer?

Pediatric offices in Memphis commonly provide infant exams, routine cleanings and exams, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, tooth-colored fillings, crowns, space maintainers, orthodontic screening, and sedation options such as nitrous oxide, IV sedation, or treatment under general anesthesia for younger or special-needs patients. Specific services vary by office, so families should confirm availability directly with the practice.