gentle care for babies, kids and teens
Pediatric Dentistry in Richmond, VA
Gentle dental care for babies, kids and teens at four Richmond-area offices: Short Pump, West End, Mechanicsville and Midlothian.
Your child feels safe in the chair. You know what happens next, what it costs and who to call.
worried about the first visit?
A dentist your child does not dread
Most parents we meet are worried about the same few things. Will my child cry? Will they need a filling? Will this be the visit that makes them hate the dentist?
Our pediatric dentists have spent years training to care for children, and it shows in the small things. A calm voice. Time to look at the tools first. A "tell, show, do" approach that explains every step before it happens.
We want to be your child's dental home, a kid-friendly place that feels familiar from the first tooth through the teen years. Your child leaves knowing the dentist is a safe place. You leave knowing exactly what to do at home.
start early, keep it easy
Your child's first visit
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first checkup by age one, or when the first tooth comes in. That sounds early. It is the easiest time to start, because the visit is short and mostly about getting comfortable.
Brand-new teeth raise their own questions. Our guide to the ABCs of baby teeth covers what is normal, and you can read what to expect on your child's first visit.
A gentle exam
We check every tooth, the gums and how your child's bite is coming together, and we take our time doing it.
A cleaning
A first visit usually includes a cleaning, so your child gets used to the chair, the sounds and the people.
A plan you can use
We show you how to brush and floss at home and answer whatever is on your mind, so you leave with fewer worries.
Ready to book the first visit?
Request a visit online, or call the office closest to you.
twice a year, no drama
Checkups, cleanings and oral hygiene tips
Regular checkups catch small problems while they are still small, so your child skips the bigger treatment. We recommend visits twice a year.
At home, the basics do the most: brushing, flossing, fluoride, sealants and a healthy diet. We show your child how, and we give you a plan that fits your family.
Learn how dental sealants for children work, or see what happens at a teeth cleaning for kids in Richmond.
- Brushing and flossing
- Fluoride
- Sealants
- Healthy diet
- Twice-yearly checkups
fix it once, fix it gently
Restorative dentistry for kids
Cavities and chipped teeth happen, even with great brushing. We repair them in a calm, kid-friendly setting so the visit is not the thing your child remembers.
Restorative care covers fillings, crowns, pulpal therapy, extractions and space maintainers, so we can treat the problem and protect the teeth coming in behind it.
- Fillings
- Crowns
- Pulpal therapy
- Extractions
- Space maintainers
feeding should not be a struggle
Tongue-ties and lip-ties
Babies who struggle to latch or feed may have a tie. A frenectomy releases the tight tissue under the tongue or lip, and we do it in the office with a CO2 laser.
The laser keeps bleeding to a minimum. If you are not sure whether your baby has a tie, we can take a look and tell you.
- Frenectomy
- CO2 laser
- Minimal bleeding
- Done in the office
calm kids, calmer parents
Dental sedation for kids
Some kids need help relaxing, and some treatments take longer than a child can comfortably sit through. We offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oral sedatives.
Your child's vital signs are monitored throughout. We walk you through the options before anything is decided.
Fear is common, and we plan for it. Read about dental anxiety in children.
- Nitrous oxide
- Oral sedatives
- Vital signs monitored
saving the tooth when we can
Surgical procedures and extractions
Our goal is to preserve your child's natural teeth. Sometimes a tooth has to come out, and we handle it in the office.
Common reasons include:
- Severe decay
- Gum disease
- Trauma or injury
- A baby tooth that will not fall out
extra time, extra patience
Dental care for children with special needs
Every child deserves a dentist who fits the visit to them. We care for children of all ages, including children with special needs, and our offices are wheelchair accessible.
Tell us what helps your child, and we will plan around it.
- Children of all ages
- Wheelchair accessible
- Planned around your child
no surprises for your child
Behavior management for nervous kids
We explain every step before it happens, celebrate the small wins and use distraction when it helps. Kids see the tools first, so nothing feels like a surprise.
- Tell, show, do
- Positive feedback
- Distraction
- Nonverbal communication
help after hours
Dental emergencies
Dental emergencies do not wait for office hours. Our doctors are on call after hours to consult with patients for emergent needs.
If your child has an emergency when our offices are closed, call our regular office number to reach the on-call doctor. The doctor will talk with you, decide whether emergent treatment is needed and tell you if a referral to an emergency department is necessary.
For trouble breathing, bleeding that will not stop or a head injury, go to the ER first.
- Doctors on call after hours
- Knocked-out or cracked teeth
- Call the office number
Watch
Quick answers from our team
Short videos on the things parents ask us most.
pick the one on your way
Our Richmond-area offices
Four pediatric offices keep us close to home for families across Henrico County, Short Pump, Glen Allen, Mechanicsville, the West End and Midlothian.
Short Pump
Minutes from Short Pump Town Center. Best for families in Short Pump, Glen Allen and western Henrico.
12270 W Broad St
Richmond, VA 23233
Mon to Thu 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fri 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
West End
Best for families in the West End and the Gaskins Road area.
2560 Gaskins Rd
Richmond, VA 23238
Mon to Thu 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fri 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mechanicsville
Best for families in Mechanicsville and the surrounding area.
7521 Right Flank Rd #110
Mechanicsville, VA 23116
Mon to Thu 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fri 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Midlothian
Best for families in Midlothian and the south side of the metro.
13901 Coalfield Commons Pl, Suite 101
Midlothian, VA 23114
Pediatric visits on Wednesdays
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Looking for a dentist in your part of town? See our pages for a pediatric dentist in Short Pump, Henrico, Glen Allen and Midlothian. Not sure who is the right fit? Our guide to the best dentist for kids in Richmond can help you choose.
the people who'll care for your child
Meet our pediatric dentists
Dr. Bill Dahlke has 20 years of experience and served three terms as president of the Virginia Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. He was named a 2025 Virginia Living Top Dentist. His hospital affiliations include Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU and VCU Medical Center.
He practices with Dr. Raymonia Eddleton, Dr. Sarah Yi, Dr. Rachel Thornton and Dr. Jasmine Chopra. Meet the whole team on our pediatric dentists page.
no surprises at the front desk
Medicaid, insurance and cost
We accept Virginia Medicaid dental benefits for children at all four pediatric offices, through Cardinal Care Smiles, DentaQuest and Doral.
Cardinal Care Smiles used to be called Smiles For Children. If your child's card has either name on it, you can book with us.
We also accept most major dental insurance plans. Our front desk team checks your child's benefits before the first visit and gives you a cost estimate, so nothing comes as a surprise.
Paying out of pocket? Ask us about flexible financing.
More details are on our Medicaid page and our insurance information page.
Plans we accept
- Virginia Medicaid: Cardinal Care Smiles (formerly Smiles For Children)
- DentaQuest and Doral
- Most major dental insurance plans
- Flexible financing if you pay out of pocket
Want the cost before you come in?
Request a visit and we will check your child's benefits first, then give you an estimate.
same team, same records
Braces later? Same practice.
Many of our patients end up needing braces down the road. When that day comes, our orthodontists are part of the same practice, so your child already knows the team.
Parents can see our orthodontists too. Learn more about an orthodontist in Richmond, or about early orthodontic treatment for kids.
not sure where to start?
Answer 3 Quick Questions
This isn't a diagnosis, just a pointer toward the option worth reading about first. Your free consultation gives you the real answer.
Question 1 of 3
Who is treatment for?
What's the main concern?
Which sounds more like you?
straight from Google
What Richmond parents say
Real Google reviews from families across our Richmond-area offices
a peek behind the scenes
See what a visit looks like
Recent photos and videos from our Richmond-area offices
Watch
RPDO kids know best
Reviews tell you a lot. Hearing it from our patients tells you more.
questions parents ask
Pediatric Dentistry Questions, Answered
When should my child first see a dentist?
By their first birthday, or when the first tooth comes in. That is the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's guidance.
Can a regular dentist do pediatric dentistry?
Many family dentists see children, and some do a fine job with older kids. A pediatric dentist completes two to three years of additional residency training after dental school, focused on infants, children, teens and patients with special healthcare needs.
How much does a pediatric dentist visit cost?
It depends on your child's insurance and what they need that day. Our front desk team checks your benefits before the first visit and gives you an estimate. Medicaid is accepted at all four pediatric offices.
How do I choose a pediatric dentist?
Look for specialty training, a team that is comfortable with your child's needs, and an office that takes your insurance. Distance matters too, since regular visits are easier when the office is close. Our guide to the best dentist for kids in Richmond walks through it.
Does RPDO accept Medicaid?
Yes. All four of our pediatric offices accept Medicaid through Cardinal Care Smiles, DentaQuest and Doral.
Do you treat children with special needs?
Yes. We take extra time, adjust to your child and offer sedation when it helps. Every office is wheelchair accessible.
What sedation options do you offer?
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oral sedatives. The right choice depends on your child's anxiety and the treatment. Our team monitors vital signs the whole time.
What should I do if my child has a dental emergency?
Call the office closest to you. After hours, call our regular office number to reach the on-call doctor, who will decide whether emergent treatment is needed and whether a referral to an emergency department is necessary. For trouble breathing, heavy bleeding or a head injury, go to the ER first. Our emergency guide has more.
Which office is closest to me?
Check the office list above. We have locations in Short Pump, the West End, Mechanicsville and Midlothian.
we'll take it from here
Book your child's visit
Request a visit online, or call the office closest to you.
