If you are searching for a pediatric dentist in Henrico, VA, you are probably doing it between other things. Lunch break. School pickup line. After somebody mentioned a spot on a back molar.
Richmond Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics has cared for Richmond-area families for over 100 years, with two pediatric dental offices inside Henrico County: Short Pump on West Broad Street and the West End on Gaskins Road. Both provide children’s dental care from the first tooth through the teen years, with specialty-trained pediatric dentists who work with kids every day.
You are in the right place. Let us make the rest of it easy.
- 2 Henrico locations
- Specialty-trained pediatric dentists
- Medicaid accepted
- New patients welcome
Choose a Pediatric Dentist in Henrico County: Short Pump or West End
Two offices inside the county means you can pick the one that fits your commute instead of rearranging your day around ours.
Short Pump
Pediatric dentistry + orthodontics12270 W Broad St
Richmond, VA 23233
Off West Broad near Short Pump Town Center, just off I-64 at Exit 178. Closest for Short Pump, Glen Allen, Wyndham, Innsbrook, and West Broad Village.
West End
Pediatric dentistry2560 Gaskins Rd
Richmond, VA 23238
On Gaskins Road in Henrico’s West End. Closest for Tuckahoe, Gayton, Ridgefield, Regency, and the Parham Road corridor.
Short Pump is also our Henrico office for orthodontics, so a child who starts here at age three can continue with the same practice when braces come up years later. If you live specifically in the Short Pump area, we have a page just for you: pediatric dentist in Short Pump.
You Are Not Behind
Parents say the same three things at that first appointment, almost word for word.
“I know we should have come sooner.”
“He is going to be a nightmare, I am so sorry in advance.”
“Is this my fault?”
No, no, and no.
Kids get cavities on organic diets and fluoride toothpaste and twice-daily brushing. Toddlers scream at haircuts, shoe fittings, and dental chairs, and then at six years old they walk in and hop up like they own the place. Whatever age your child is right now, today is a fine day to start.
What we care about is what happens next. Positive early dental experiences can help build the comfort and habits that make every visit after this one easier. That is the long game, and you just made the first move.
If any of these sound like you, you are in good company
We hear all of these at first visits. Every week.
- Your child is past age one and has not been to a dentist yet
- The last appointment did not go well and you have been putting off the next one
- You spotted something on a tooth and you are not sure what it is
- Your child has sensory needs and a regular dental office was too much
- You have been calling around trying to find someone who takes your coverage
None of these are a problem to solve before you call us. They are the reason to call us.
What Your Child’s First Visit Actually Looks Like
Three steps. That is the whole thing.
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Tell us about your child
Request a visit online and let us know what we are walking into. Nervous kid. Sensory sensitivities. A bad experience somewhere else. A tooth that already hurts. We would rather know before you arrive than find out in the chair.
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Come in and let your child set the pace
We count teeth. We show your child the tools before we use them. If today is a lap-sitting day, we do it that way.
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Leave with a plan you can follow
Not a lecture. What we saw, what it means, what to do about it, and what it costs. Then we get you on the schedule for next time and you go on with your day.
Want more detail before you book? Read what to expect at your child’s first visit.
Pediatric Dental Services in Henrico, VA
Everything a growing child needs, from the first tooth through the teen years:
- Infant exams and first-tooth visits by age one
- Cleanings, exams, and fluoride treatments
- Dental sealants on permanent molars
- Cavity treatment and restorative dentistry including tooth-colored fillings and crowns
- Tongue-tie and lip-tie evaluation and release
- Space maintainers and extractions
- Behavior management for anxious or very young patients
- Sedation options including nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and hospital-based general anesthesia
- Sports mouthguards for Henrico County school and rec league athletes
- Emergency care for knocked-out, cracked, and aching teeth
See the full range on our pediatric dentistry page.
If Your Child Is Scared, Sensory-Sensitive, or Has Special Health Care Needs
Some kids walk in fine. Some kids do not, and you already know which one you have.
Our team handles both. We use tell-show-do, we go slowly, we give warnings before anything happens, and we do not force a child through an appointment to stay on schedule. For children with autism, ADHD, developmental differences, or medical complexity, we build the plan with you rather than hand it to you.
When a child needs treatment that cannot happen comfortably in the chair, we have sedation options and hospital operating room access. Dr. Bill Dahlke holds privileges at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, VCU Medical Center, and Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital. That matters when the answer is not “come back in six months” but “this needs to happen and it needs to happen safely.”
Learn more about special needs pediatric dentistry and how we approach dental anxiety in children.
Insurance, Medicaid, and What It Costs
We accept most major dental insurance plans, and our front desk will review your benefits before treatment so you are not guessing.
We also accept Cardinal Care Smiles (formerly Smiles For Children), DentaQuest, and Doral at both Henrico offices. A lot of Henrico families have called office after office looking for a children’s dentist in Henrico County who takes their child’s coverage. You can stop calling.
Medicaid is accepted at both Henrico offices
Short Pump and the West End both participate. Same appointments, same doctors, same chairs as every other patient.
- Cardinal Care Smiles
- DentaQuest
- Doral
More detail on our insurance information and flexible financing options.
When Braces Come Up Later
Around age seven, a lot of these conversations start. A crowded arch. A crossbite. A thumb habit that moved some teeth.
Because we are a bi-specialty practice, that conversation does not mean starting over somewhere new. Our pediatric dentists and our orthodontists are colleagues who share records and share your child’s history. Our Short Pump office provides both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics. If your child is a West End patient, our pediatric team coordinates the orthodontic referral directly with our orthodontists at a nearby RPDO office, so the handoff is internal and nothing gets lost.
Read about early orthodontic treatment and our approach to orthodontics.
Dental Emergencies in Henrico
Chipped tooth on the playground at recess. Elbow to the mouth at practice. A molar that woke your child up at 2 AM.
Call your Henrico office first, even if you are not sure it qualifies. We will tell you whether to come in now, come in today, or watch it overnight, and we make room for our patients when it is urgent. Save the number in your phone before you need it: (804) 741-2226.
More guidance on our emergency pediatric dentist page.
Why Henrico Families Stay
We have been caring for Richmond-area children for generations, and we are still privately owned. No corporate parent setting production quotas. No revolving door of associates your child meets once.
Our pediatric dentists are specialty-trained, meaning two to three additional years of residency focused on children after dental school. Meet the rest of the team on our pediatric dentists page.
Dr. Bill Dahlke, DMD
Pediatric dentist, Richmond Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
- Three terms as president of the Virginia Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- Hospital privileges at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, VCU Medical Center, and Bon Secours St. Mary’s
- 2025 Virginia Living Top Dentist
- Nearly 20 years caring for Richmond-area children
We have been recognized by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Style Weekly, Virginia Living, and Richmond Magazine. But the reviews that say it best come from parents, not magazines.
What Henrico parents say
Unedited Google reviews from families across the Richmond area.
Read more patient testimonials.
Where Our Henrico Families Come From
Our two offices sit in western Henrico, which makes them an easy trip for families in Short Pump, Glen Allen, Innsbrook, Wyndham, Tuckahoe, Gayton, Ridgefield, Regency, Three Chopt, Deep Run, Lakeside, and Dumbarton.
Families in eastern Henrico, including Sandston, Highland Springs, and Varina, do drive out to see us. We will not pretend it is around the corner. But if your child needs a pediatric specialist, Medicaid coverage, extra support for anxiety or sensory needs, or sedation for more complex treatment, the drive to Gaskins Road or West Broad can make sense. We are glad to have you either way.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should my child first see a pediatric dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first dental visit by age one, or within six months of the first tooth coming in. Early visits are short, gentle, and mostly about getting your child comfortable and giving you guidance on brushing, bottles, and teething.
What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a family dentist?
A pediatric dentist completes two to three years of additional residency training after dental school, focused entirely on children, including child development, behavior guidance, and treating patients with special health care needs. A family dentist treats all ages without that specialized residency.
Which RPDO offices are in Henrico County?
Two of our offices are located in Henrico County: Short Pump at 12270 W Broad St and the West End at 2560 Gaskins Rd. Both provide pediatric dentistry. Short Pump also provides orthodontics for kids, teens, and adults.
Do you accept Medicaid at your Henrico offices?
Yes. We accept Cardinal Care Smiles (formerly Smiles For Children), DentaQuest, and Doral at both our Short Pump and West End locations, along with most major dental insurance plans.
My child is terrified of the dentist. What do you do differently?
We tell your child what is happening before it happens, let them handle and see the instruments, and move at their pace instead of ours. For children who need more support, we offer nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and hospital-based general anesthesia.
How much does a pediatric dental visit cost in Henrico, VA?
Cost depends on the services your child needs and the details of your dental plan. Many plans include preventive pediatric care, but coverage and out-of-pocket amounts vary. Our team reviews your benefits and explains expected costs before treatment, so you know the numbers before anything is scheduled.
Can my child stay with your practice when they need braces?
Yes. We provide both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics as one practice, so your child does not have to transfer to a separate office for braces or clear aligners. Orthodontic care is available at our Short Pump office and at our other Greater Richmond locations.
How do I schedule a first appointment?
Request a visit through our online form and our team will contact you to confirm a time at your preferred Henrico office. Let us know anything we should know ahead of time, including nervousness, sensory needs, or a tooth that is already bothering your child.
Ready When You Are
Two Henrico offices. Specialty-trained pediatric dentists. Over 100 years of Richmond-area families walking through the door. Pick the location closer to you and send us a request.
