Pediatric Dentist That Accepts Medicaid in Richmond, VA

Finding a pediatric dentist that accepts Medicaid in Richmond shouldn’t take ten phone calls. At Richmond Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, every family is welcome, and every child gets the same warm, kid-focused care no matter how their visit is paid for.

We accept Virginia Medicaid dental benefits for children, including Cardinal Care Smiles (formerly known as Smiles For Children), DentaQuest, and Doral. With pediatric offices in Short Pump, West End, Mechanicsville, and Midlothian, finding an in-network pediatric dental home for your child is finally simple.

We’re a true pediatric specialty practice that has cared for Richmond-area kids since 1919, and we’re an award-winning practice recognized by Richmond Times-Dispatch, Style Weekly, Virginia Living, and Richmond Magazine.

Medicaid Dental Care for Kids Across Greater Richmond

This page is for parents and caregivers looking for a pediatric dentist who accepts Medicaid for children in Richmond, Henrico, Hanover, Chesterfield, Glen Allen, Mechanicsville, Midlothian, Short Pump, the West End, and the surrounding RVA metro area.

Whether your child needs a first dental visit, a routine cleaning, treatment for a cavity, or sensory-friendly care, our team can verify your Cardinal Care Smiles benefits before your appointment so you know what’s covered.

Smiles For Children Is Now Cardinal Care Smiles. We Accept Both.

If you’ve had Medicaid in Virginia for a while, you probably know the children’s dental program as Smiles For Children. The state renamed the program Cardinal Care Smiles a few years ago, and it’s still administered by DentaQuest.

Some Richmond-area parents are still searching for a “Smiles For Children dentist” and worry they need a different provider now. You don’t.

If your child has Cardinal Care Smiles or Smiles For Children, you’re covered at every RPDO location, no matter which name is printed on your card. When you request an appointment, our team verifies your benefits before treatment so you know what to expect.

Specialty Pediatric Care, Same For Every Family

Search results for “best pediatric dentist Richmond” and “pediatric dentist that accepts Medicaid” pull from the same pool of practices, but the experiences can be very different. Some clinics that advertise Medicaid acceptance schedule families into rushed back-to-back appointments and treat insurance type as a sorting mechanism. That’s not us.

Our doctors are specialty-trained pediatric dentists. The same dentists who care for award-winning patients across our four pediatric offices care for every child who walks in, full stop.

Same exam time. Same attention. Same kid-friendly lighting, ceiling murals, and treasure-chest reward at the end. Your child will not be able to tell you which kids in the waiting room have private insurance and which have Medicaid, because the experience is identical.

You can read more about what makes a great pediatric dentist for Richmond families on our blog.

Awards and recognition:

• Richmond Times-Dispatch
• Style Weekly Magazine
• Virginia Living Magazine
• Richmond Magazine

Learn more about what makes RPDO different for Richmond families.

Why Richmond families on Medicaid choose RPDO:

A specialty practice, not a corporate chain. RPDO is privately owned, which means our doctors and team make decisions about your child’s care, not a hedge fund.

Four pediatric locations across the metro. Whether you’re in Henrico, Hanover, or Chesterfield County, there’s an RPDO pediatric office close to home, school, or work.

Over 100 years of trust. We’ve been part of this community since 1919. Accepting Medicaid is consistent with our history, not an exception to it.

What Your Child’s First Medicaid Visit Looks Like

If your child has never been to a dentist before, or if their last experience wasn’t great, here’s what to expect when you book with us. We do this every day, and we know the difference a calm, kind first visit makes.

Before the visit. Once you request an appointment, our team verifies your Medicaid plan, confirms what’s covered, and lets you know what to bring. New patient forms can be filled out ahead of time so check-in is fast.

The day of the visit. Your child meets a pediatric dentist who is specialty-trained to work with kids. We talk in kid-friendly language, take it slow, and let your child get comfortable before any exam begins.

Cleanings, fluoride, sealants, and x-rays all happen in a way that’s designed for small mouths and big feelings.

After the visit. If your child needs treatment, we’ll explain exactly what your Medicaid plan covers and what comes next. There’s no surprise billing and no high-pressure upsells. Most families leave knowing their next checkup is six months out.

For families whose children have a tough time at the dentist, we also offer pediatric dental sedation and behavior management options. Cardinal Care Smiles covers anesthesia when it’s medically necessary.

Special Needs Dentistry With Medicaid

We have decades of experience caring for children with autism, sensory processing challenges, ADHD, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other developmental or behavioral differences. Our team adapts every step of the visit, from the lighting and sound to the pacing and language.

Cardinal Care Smiles covers the same preventive and restorative services for these patients, and our special needs pediatric dentistry approach is one of the things Richmond families talk about most when they recommend us.

Parents of autistic children may also want to read our guide on visiting the dentist with an autistic child before the first appointment.

Real Reviews From Richmond Families

We’re proud of the reviews families leave us across our pediatric offices. The care is the same regardless of how visits are paid for.

Getting to Your Appointment

If transportation is a barrier, Cardinal Care Smiles members may qualify for free Non-Emergency Medicaid Transportation to and from dental appointments. You can learn more or request a ride through the Virginia Non-Emergency Medicaid Transportation system. Many families don’t realize this benefit exists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Smiles For Children the same as Cardinal Care Smiles?

Yes. Smiles For Children is the previous name for Virginia’s Medicaid and FAMIS dental program. The state renamed it Cardinal Care Smiles, but the coverage and the dental network are the same. DentaQuest administers both names, and RPDO accepts both.

Do you accept Medicaid for kids in Richmond?

Yes. Richmond Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics accepts all Virginia Medicaid plans for children, including Cardinal Care Smiles, Smiles For Children, DentaQuest, and Doral. We accept these plans at all four of our Richmond-area pediatric locations and we are accepting new pediatric Medicaid patients.

Will my child be treated differently because we have Medicaid?

No. Every child at RPDO sees the same specialty-trained pediatric dentists, gets the same appointment time, and is treated in the same offices as every other patient. We don’t have separate Medicaid hours or a separate waiting area. The care is identical.

How do I find out what my Medicaid plan covers before my visit?

When you request an appointment, our team verifies your specific plan and lets you know what’s covered before you come in. You can also check your benefits directly through DentaQuest, which administers Cardinal Care Smiles.

Does Medicaid cover orthodontics for kids in Virginia?

Cardinal Care Smiles can cover medically necessary orthodontic treatment for children with prior authorization through DentaQuest. If you have questions about your child’s specific situation, our team can answer them during a pediatric dental visit.

Are you accepting new Medicaid patients?

We are currently welcoming new pediatric Medicaid patients at our four pediatric locations. Appointment availability varies by office and time of year, so the fastest way to be seen is to request an appointment online and let our team match you with the soonest opening near you.

What ages do you treat?

Our pediatric dentists care for kids from their first tooth through the teen years. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child’s first dental visit by age one or within six months of the first tooth. Cardinal Care Smiles covers dental services for children up to age 21.

Do I need a referral to come to RPDO?

No referral is required. You can request an appointment directly online, and our team will verify your Medicaid coverage and schedule your child’s visit.

Can I choose which RPDO office to visit with Medicaid?

Yes. Medicaid patients can request the RPDO location that is most convenient for their family. Appointment availability may vary by office, so our team can help you find the soonest opening near home, school, or work.

Does Medicaid cover dental emergencies for children?

Cardinal Care Smiles covers urgent dental care for children when treatment is medically necessary. If your child has tooth pain, swelling, a broken tooth, or a dental injury, contact our office so we can determine the next step. You can also learn more on our pediatric dental emergencies page.