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Pediatric Dental Clinic

Information for Patients

Thank you for your interest in the University of Tennessee Graduate Pediatric program. The Department has a long history of excellence in teaching, research and patient care. UT is one of the oldest Specialty Education programs in the country and continues to lead clinical excellence into the 21st century. Our goal is to provide a dental home for children by their first birthday, including those with special needs, in the Memphis and surrounding areas.

Our Providers

The Department of Pediatric Dentistry offers treatment with both dental students as well as graduate residents. Graduate residents are doctors who have already completed dental school and have chosen to specialize in pediatric dentistry. They are enrolled in an intensive program of classroom, laboratory, and research work and clinical training that leads to a Master's Degree and a Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry and requires two additional years beyond dental school. All students and residents are supervised by attending faculty who are experts in pediatric dentistry (see Departmental Faculty tab).

Scheduling an Appointment

To make an appointment with one of our doctors, please call at 901.448.6240. Based on your child’s unique needs, he or she will be appointed with either a student or resident.  Routine dental visits like cleanings and fillings are by appointment only.  Walk-in patients are accepted for dental emergencies. For after-hours dental emergencies, patients should go to the Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Emergency Room.

Financial Terms and Payment

The Pediatric Dental clinics are in network with TennCare and ARKids. We are not in network with any other insurance companies. If you are self-pay or have private insurance, you are responsible for the full cost of treatment. If you have private insurance, we recommend that you call your insurance provider prior to your appointment to determine if you're able to utilize your benefits in our clinic and how to file for reimbursement. As long as you have out of network benefits then you should be able to use your insurance in our clinic. Payments are due at the time of service.

Distinguished Honors

Graduates of UT Pediatric Dentistry program have a rich history of leadership in academics and organized dentistry. Its alumni have served as Presidents of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Trustees of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association, and Presidents of the Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana Dental Associations. Multiple faculty serve as examiners for the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, site visitors for the Commission on Dental Accreditation, and have served on various committees of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry as well as for the College of Dentistry. Faculty and residents have published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, Pediatric Dentistry, the International Journal of Pediatric Dentistry, and Dental Traumatology. The department has received multiple research and service grants and a federal dental faculty loan repayment grant. Graduates of the residency practice not only in the Southeastern region but throughout the nation and world from Washington State to Florida to California to Singapore.

Location and Directions

What is a Pediatric Dentist?

Pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. A pediatric dentist has two to three years specialty training following dental school and limits his/her practice to treating children only. Pediatric dentists are primary and specialty oral care providers for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health needs.  
 
Since every child is different, pediatric dentists have a wide range of approaches to help a child complete needed dental treatment. A pediatric dentist makes a recommendation of behavior guidance methods for the child based upon health history, special health care needs, dental needs, type of treatment required, the consequences of no treatment, emotional and intellectual development, and parental preferences.  
 

May 26, 2022