Looking for the best pediatric dentist for your child? You’ve come to the right place. Iowa Pediatric Dental Center provides the highest quality care in a fun, friendly setting. And guess what? Many of our patients ask, “When can I come back?” Imagine that! Iowa Pediatric Dental Center — where healthy comes with a big dose of happy.
Financing Options and Insurance Providers
For your convenience, we file insurance claims on your behalf and provide you with an ESTIMATE of what your insurance plan will pay, as well as, offer payment options for any remaining balance. If your insurance does not pay after 60 days, the remaining balance will be guarantor responsibility. Please confirm your insurance acceptance when you make your appointment. If you have a change in your insurance, please notify our office at least 24 hours before your appointment. It is our mission to provide you with affordable, high-quality treatment that fits your budget. Please ask our administrative team how we can help! We also accept cash, check, all major credit cards as well as Care Credit at the time of service.
Accepted Insurance
- Cigna
- Delta Dental PPO
- Delta Dental Premiere
- Hawki
- Iowa Medicaid
- MetLife
- Wellmark Blue Dental BCBS
- UHC/DBP
Your child’s teeth from birth to adulthood
Your child’s teeth and jaw will undergo many changes from the time they’re born until they reach full maturity as adults. Here’s a look at the stages of dental development!
Infant/toddler:
Babies are born with 20 primary teeth situated just under their gums. These teeth, like adult chompers, vary in shape, size, and location. Their differences all work together for a purpose – to help kids chew comfortably, speak clearly and smile happily. They also help form and shape the mouth, jaw and face. Baby teeth begin to erupt at around 6 months of age and sprout over the next few years until all 20 (10 upper and 10 lower) have made an appearance. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends children start going to the dentist by age 1 or within 6 months of their first tooth.
Young children:
Most often, children will begin to lose their primary teeth around age 6, but it can happen any time between the ages of 4 and 7. Typically, the first baby teeth to fall out are the two bottom followed by the two top front teeth. These are called the lower and upper central incisors. Usually the lateral incisors, first molars, canines, and second molars follow. Expect your child to lose their baby molars between ages 10 to 12.
Teens:
Adult molars emerge around age 13. By age 21, your adult child should have a full set of 32 permanent teeth. That’s 12 more than they were born with – 6 additional teeth on the upper jaw, and 6 more on the lower jaw. Four of those new additions are the wisdom teeth, which usually erupt between ages 17 and 21.
Before Your First Visit:
To save you time on your visit, you can view several forms and fill them out in advance. That allows us to get to your child’s dental exam quickly. When it comes to insurance, we’ve got you covered! We’re proud to accept most dental insurance. Contact us to schedule an appointment and to ensure that we accept your plan. We can also work with you on making payments to cover your child’s treatment. We may contact you before your scheduled visit for a verbal confirmation or to help you reschedule if needed. To cancel your appointment, please contact or call us within 24 hours.
Your First Visit
Preventative Care
Pick One Of These Top Toothpastes For Kids with the ADA Seal of Acceptance
PICK ONE OF THESE TOP TOOTHPASTES FOR KIDS When it comes to toothpaste, it’s all about the fluoride—the No. 1…
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Skip bottled water and reach for fluoridated water instead
DOES BOTTLED MEAN BETTER? Did you know your bottled water habit could indirectly promote tooth decay? Of course bottled water…
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What Parents Need to Know About Baby Teeth and Teething
BABY TEETH AND TEETHING — WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW When your baby goes from gummy grins to toothy smiles,…
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How baby bottles and sippy cups affect your child’s teeth
WHAT EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BABY BOTTLES & SIPPY CUPS It’s OK for your baby or toddler to drink…
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Is My Child Getting Enough Fluoride
Learn how to make sure your child is getting enough fluoride.
Read moreFAQ
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Can I stay with my child during treatment?
Absolutely! You’re welcome to stick around for your child’s regular exam. But your child will better focus on doctor’s directions if you’re not in the room during a more involved treatment. Always check directly with the practice manager or doctor for your particular situation.
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I want to video-record the procedure. May I?
To comply with Federal HIPAA regulations, we do not allow the use of cell phones or recording devices in the clinical area of our offices.
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How long is a typical visit?
A dental cleaning typically takes about 30 minutes, but may be longer or shorter based on the patient's age, behavior, and hygiene. Appliances such as braces can also lengthen the amount of time for the appointment. Other types of appointments may be longer or shorter, depending on what treatment is being completed. We work on kid time and never want to rush a patient into compliance.
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Can I get a medical note for my child’s absence from school?
Yes, we are happy to provide a school note for the day a patient is seen in our office. Procedures completed in our offices generally do not require extended absences from school.