Now Accepting New Patients

Santa Maria Pediatric Dental Cleaning & Exam

Twice-yearly cleanings for a lifetime of smiles

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Or call (805) 922-9626

Preventive & restorative pediatric dental services

General anesthesia and minimally invasive cavity treatment available

Spanish speaking pediatric dentist & staff

Pediatric preventive dentist in Santa Maria accepting Denti-Cal

A clean mouth is a healthy mouth

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” the adage goes, and nowhere is this more true than in dentistry. Over the course of day-to-day life, teeth can build up plaque and tartar and develop decay if not cleaned and examined regularly.

With twice-yearly pediatric dental cleanings from our Santa Maria dentists, we’ll ensure your child stays on course with their dental health. We’ll also monitor the changing bite and smile, catch any developing oral health issues, and fix dental problems as they pop up, not letting them fester until a small problem turns into a big one.

Benefits of regular pediatric dental cleanings and exams

Reduces the likelihood of cavities
Catches small dental problems before they become big ones
Develops healthy dental habits in your child
Instruction on oral hygiene and oral health development

Did you know?

Denti-Cal and most dental insurances cover 100% of most pediatric preventive dentistry treatments? Contact us to learn more about your specific coverage.

Hear from our patients

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A really amazing experience! Dr. Pederson was so nice and welcoming. I am definitely excited to bring my kids back here in 6 months! Thank you Mariposa Pediatric Dentistry!

– Jasmine V.

Pediatric dental cleaning & exam appointments

For most children, we recommend a dental cleaning and exam twice a year. This provides us an opportunity to clean their teeth to stop most decay, and find any issues as they are developing, as opposed to finding them fully developed when they are harder (and more costly) to treat.

We center our Santa Maria pediatric dental cleanings and exams around encouraging the development of your child’s oral health. We’ll listen to what your child is experiencing and work with you and them to recommend any treatment recommendations for any dental problems we find during their exam.

During your child’s appointment, you can expect the following:

Full comprehensive exam to determine any oral health issues.
A professional dental cleaning, clearing away any plaque that has developed.
Any needed x-rays. Generally, we’ll take x-rays once a year, but this can be more or less frequent depending on a child’s age, and risk of and history of tooth decay.
Fluoride treatment, which helps protect your child’s teeth.
Guidance on proper oral health at-home care, including brushing and flossing tips, nutritional advice, and much more.

Preventive Dentistry FAQs

Are dental cleanings covered by insurance?

All dental insurance plans are different, but most dental insurance plans will cover 100% of preventive services such as dental cleanings and exams.

How often does my child need dental cleaning?

Most children will be best served by attending dental cleanings every 6 months, or twice a year. Some young children who get cavities often or quickly will need to be seen more often, and for children at a low risk of cavities once a year can be enough.

Do you offer sedation dentistry during exams and cleanings?

Very rarely. Exams and cleanings are generally mild enough for children to not need sedation, and for very nervous children we can even use just a mirror and toothbrush to get a good look. We do sometimes offer sedation for our older special needs patients in order to do a thorough exam and cleaning. Learn more about sedation dentistry or speak to Dr. Pedersen at your next appointment.

Denti-Cal & most insurance accepted

We are in network with most PPO dental insurances, and are the only local pediatric dental specialist accepting Denti-Cal. Not sure if your specific plan is accepted? Contact us today for a complimentary benefits check.

No insurance? We’ve got you covered.

We offer an in-house discount plan and payment plans to help you afford care.

Our in-house discount plan includes:

2 comprehensive exams and cleanings per year, including any needed x-rays
Discounts on any needed treatment

All Families Welcome

At Mariposa Pediatric Dentistry, we’re proud to offer comfortable dental cleanings and exams to families in our community. In addition to cleanings and exams, we offer a full range of restorative and preventive services in a comforting and encouraging environment.

You can count on Dr. Pedersen and our entire team to help your child in any way they know how and ensure a positive oral health experience for your child.