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Pediatric Dental Care

Importance of Pediatric Dental Care in Infants, Children and Youth

Common Questions:

At what age should a child have their first dental appointment? 

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends all children have their first dental appointment between their first and second birthdays. Children should see a dentist twice a year, approximately once every six months. 

When should a child start brushing their teeth? 

A child’s caretaker can start brushing their teeth as soon as their firth tooth appears. A small amount of fluoride toothpaste can be used when brushing as teeth continue to come in. It is important to start caring for a baby’s teeth from the start due to bottle-use, pacifiers, thumb sucking, and sugar intake from juice. 

How does dental care effect children’s overall health? 

Even though children eventually lose all their baby teeth, it is still important to care for baby teeth before permanent ones grow in.  

Not caring for baby teeth can lead to tooth decay, potentially causing problems with permanent teeth down the road. This includes pain from cavities and infections that can result in problems with eating, developing speaking skills, and everyday life. In addition, the CDC has found that children with poor oral health miss more school and have lower grades than children who do not. This can result from tooth pain causing a child to miss school for dental procedures, eventually taking a toll on their grades. 

How can you help a child care for their teeth? 

  • Start practicing good oral hygiene habits as soon as possible. 
  • Prepare healthy, balanced meals with minimal sugar. 
  • Stay up to date with pediatric dental appointments to ensure any issues are prevented or caught before becoming too serious 
  • Set a good example by caring for your own dental hygiene. 

  

Pediatric Dentists Accepting Various Iowa Medicaid Plans

All Smiles Pediatric Dental

Plans Accepted: Iowa Dental Wellness Plan Kids; Hawki

Address: 4090 Westown Pkwy., Suite B1, West Des Moines, IA 50266

Phone: 515-267-0737

Additional Languages: Spanish

Website: https://allsmilespediatricdental.com


Altoona Pediatric Dentistry

Plan Accepted: Iowa Dental Wellness Plan Kids

Address: 125 24th Street SE, Altoona, IA 50009

Phone: 515-967-9790

Additional Languages: Bosnian

Website: https://altoonapediatricdental.net


Ankeny Children’s Dental

Plans Accepted: Iowa Dental Wellness Plan Kids; Hawki

Address: 800 E 1st Street, Suite 2800, Ankeny, IA 50021

Phone: 515-963-9600

Website: https://www.ankenychildrensdental.com


Ankeny Smiles

Plans Accepted: Iowa Dental Wellness Plan Kids, MCNA, Medicaid

225 SE Oralabor Rd Suite 3, Ankeny, IA 50021

Phone: (515) 630-1816

Website: https://ankenysmiles.org/index.html


Children’s Dental Center of Central Iowa

Plans Accepted: Iowa Dental Wellness Plan Kids; Hawki

Address: 2401 128th Street, Urbandale, IA 50323

Phone: 515-489-4603

Additional Languages: Spanish

Website: https://www.mykidsdentist.com/find-us/


Dental Connections Inc.

Plans Accepted: Iowa Dental Wellness Plan Kids; Hawki; MCNA Dental

Address: 1111 9th Street, Suite 190, Des Moines, IA 50314

(Office inside United Way Building)

Phone: 515-244-9136

Additional Languages: Spanish; Mandarin

Website: https://dentalconnectionsonline.com


Des Moines Children’s Dentistry- West Des Moines Location

Plan Accepted: Hawki

Address: 5950 Village View Dr., Suite 200, West Des Moines, IA 50266

Phone: 515-225-1677

Additional Languages: Spanish

Website: https://www.dsmpd.com/west-des-moines-office-tour


Des Moines Children’s Dentistry- Waukee Location

Plan Accepted: Hawki

Address: 2335 SE LA Grant Pkwy., Waukee, IA 50263

Phone: 515-225-1677

Additional Languages: Spanish

Website: https://www.dsmpd.com/waukee-office-tour


Des Moines Pediatric Dental Center

Plan Accepted: Hawki

Address: 4949 Westown Pkwy., Suite 150, West Des Moines, IA 50266

Phone: 515-375-5697

Website: https://iowapediatricdentalcenter.com/about-us/


Indianola Pediatric Dentistry

Plan Accepted: Iowa Dental Wellness Plan Kids

Address: 2001 N 6th Street, Indianola, IA 50125

Phone: 515-808-7000

Website: https://www.indianolapediatricdentistry.com


Jordan Creek Pediatric Dentistry

Plan Accepted: Hawki

Address: 1111 Jordan Creek Pkwy., West Des Moines, IA 50266

Phone: 515-222-1800

Website: https://www.jordancreekpediatricdentistry.com


Ocean Dental of Iowa PC

Plans Accepted: Iowa Dental Wellness Plan Kids; MCNA Dental

Address: 1345 E University Ave., Suite 302, Des Moines, IA 50316

Phone: 515-264-9022

Additional Languages: Spanish

Website: https://oceandental.net/locations/ia-des-moines/


Pediatric Dentistry of Central Iowa- Des Moines Location

Plan Accepted: Hawki

Address: 1000 73rd Street, Suite 10, Des Moines, IA 50265

Phone: 515-223-1298

Additional Languages: Spanish; Bosnian

Website: https://dentistryforkids.info/location-desmoines


Pediatric Dentistry of Central Iowa- Ankeny Location

Plan Accepted: Hawki

Address: 221 NW School Street, Ankeny, IA 50023

Phone: 515-964-3833

Additional Languages: Spanish; Bosnian

Website: https://dentistryforkids.info/location-ankeny


Pediatric Dentistry of Greater Des Moines

Plan Accepted: Hawki

Address: 7600 Fleur Dr., Des Moines, IA 50321

Phone: 515-650-4441

Website: https://www.drmollydentistry.com


Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics of Central Iowa

Plans Accepted: Iowa Dental Wellness Plan Kids; Hawki, MCNA Dental

Address: 8515 Douglas Ave., Suite 26, Des Moines, IA 50322

Phone: 515-325-8639

Website: https://www.dmkidsdds.com


Shadow Creek Pediatric Dentistry

Plan Accepted: Iowa Dental Wellness Plan Kids

Address: 822 NE Alices Rd., Waukee, IA 50263

Phone: 515-264-2772

Additional Languages: Spanish

Website: https://www.shadow-creek.com


Smiles in Motion

Plan Accepted: Iowa Dental Wellness Plan Kids

Address: 207 E Church Street, Suite 3, Marshalltown, IA 50158

Phone: 641-752-9550

Additional Languages: Spanish

Website: https://mtownsim.com


Southside Smiles Family Dentistry

Plan Accepted: MCNA Dental

Address: 3311 Southwest 9th Street, #200, Des Moines, IA 50315

Phone: 515-243-7641

Website: https://southside-smiles-family-dentistry.business.site

Thank you to our generous supporters of the Youth Law Center

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