Nothing is as beautiful as your child’s healthy smile. With early and regular dental care, you can keep that smile healthy and bright. Our friendly faculty-resident and faculty-student teams provide high-quality oral disease prevention and treatment from birth to adulthood. Expert, affordable care starts with your child’s first appointment.
Our friendly provider teams take the time to get to know you and your child, and to make sure that all of your questions and concerns are addressed. We meet our patients where they are and have experience with a wide range of sensitivities and special needs. All are welcome here.
Having a healthy smile can boost your child’s confidence. Knowing that they are getting expert care at an affordable price can boost yours. Welcome to a better approach to dental care.
Our fees are often a fraction of the price of private practices. Exact fees are determined at the time of service.
We started coming to Tufts Dental when our son was in third grade. He is now a high school senior. He has undergone many different types of dental procedures. We’ve always received exceptional care from all of the dentists at Tufts…. Their dedication to pediatric patients has created a friendly and caring environment.
Find out what to expect at your child's pediatric dental appointment and how you can help prepare them for their visit. Watch video
Tufts University Dental Care Center is a top-rated teaching facility with a team of providers that include students, residents, and faculty. The care of every patient is overseen by an experienced faculty member, and you may see multiple providers throughout your child’s treatment.
Routine pediatric appointments usually take 1–1.5 hours for things like cleanings, fillings, and extractions.
For more complicated procedures (such as root canal treatment or general anesthesia), more time may be needed. Call us before your child’s appointment to find out how long it is expected to take so you can plan accordingly.
Payment or co-payment is expected at the time of service. Please note: Patient co-payment is necessary with all insurances (other than with MassHealth).
Most procedures for children are fully covered by your insurance provider. However, coverage depends on your individual plan. Please review your benefits with your insurance provider.
Learn more about insurance and billing.
*We offer financing options through LendingClub.
It is very important to protect primary or “baby” teeth. Children with healthy teeth chew food easily, speak clearly, and have a happy smile.
At your infant’s first oral exam (strongly recommended for 6-12 month olds*), we:
Starting early and establishing good habits can help prevent tooth decay and other types of oral diseases. Having a comfortable and friendly first visit with our care team can get your child on the path to a lifetime of good oral health.
*To prevent dental problems, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that your baby’s first oral exam should be no later than his/her first birthday.
If you are being sent to our clinic by another dentist, you need a referral. The referral should state what treatment the child needs and emailed, along with any recent X-rays to pediatrics@tufts.edu.
If your child is new to our practice and is coming for routine dental evaluations and cleanings, you do not need a referral.
We accept the following insurances:
Most procedures for children are fully covered; however, coverage depends on your individual plan.
Learn more about insurance and billing.
We most often care for children as young as 6 months up to age 18 for routine care (e.g., cleanings, fluoride treatment). We also treat children under 6 months, including newborns, with more acute needs, when needed (e.g. tongue ties, neonatal teeth, cleft lip and palate).
When the young adult turns 18, we typically refer that patient to our Comprehensive Care Clinic that sees adult patients for general dentistry. For some patients with special health needs, however, we can continue to treat them in the Pediatric Clinic if they prefer. If you have questions about what happens during the transition from minor to adult age, please talk to your dental provider.
Yes—We welcome patients with special needs.
The Pediatric Dental Clinic provides comprehensive dental care for patients with special health care needs up to the age of 18 years. Tufts Special Care Dental Clinics provide care to adults (older than 18 years) with developmental disabilities who meet certain qualifications. Caregivers should contact their nearest Tufts Special Care Dental Clinic location and speak with our staff to determine eligibility.
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer free care. However, as a teaching facility, we are committed to offering dental care at lower cost than a typical private practice. We offer self-pay options and financing options through LendingClub.
Yes, if you or your family member need assistance in a non-English language, we offer interpreters at no personal cost to you. Some commonly spoken languages are:
Learn more about our language assistance services.
Our hours of operation are:
If your child has an dental emergency when our clinic is closed, you can call Tufts Medical Center at 617-636-5114 and ask for “Emergency Dental Care."
For both adults and kids, there are ways to make an anxious time more manageable.
Continue providing the cavity-fighting element through toothpaste, rinses, and varnishes, pediatric dentists say.
Act quickly, especially to save a permanent tooth that’s been knocked out.
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
1 Kneeland Street, Floor 8
Boston, MA 02111
Directions and parking information
