7 Best Pediatric Dentists in San Francisco, CA for Dental Exams and Teeth Cleaning

Quick SUmmary

For routine dental exams and teeth cleanings, the best pediatric dentist in San Francisco for most families is Children's Choice Dental Care San Francisco on Mission Street. Three things set it apart:

• It has the most Google reviews of any children's dental office in this guide (1,158), a sign of how many local families rely on it for regular checkups.

• It accepts Medi-Cal Dental in a city where few dentists do, with a no-cost exam and X-rays every six months for eligible children. It's the only private practice in this guide that does.

• It's open Monday through Friday, with Saturday hours listed on its website.

The six other offices below are excellent choices for families with private insurance or flexible schedules. Several are in neighborhoods the Mission doesn't serve as conveniently, from the Sunset and Richmond to Pacific Heights and Dogpatch. They're ranked by how easy each one makes it to keep a child on a regular six-month checkup schedule: hours, insurance options and review history. Google data is as of October 27, 2026.

Clinic Directory

Names, addresses and phone numbers were checked against each office's Google Business Profile and its website or official listing on October 27, 2026. Opening hours have their own section further down.

All addresses are in San Francisco, CA.

San Francisco's Checkup Gap, in Numbers

San Francisco children still get cavities early, and many miss the routine visits that would catch them while they're small.

Decay starts before kindergarten. According to the city's CavityFree SF Strategic Plan, about 1 in 4 San Francisco kindergartners already have or have had cavities. The gaps between communities are wide. About 1 in 4 Black kindergartners start school with active, untreated decay, compared with fewer than 1 in 10 white kindergartners.

Finding a Medi-Cal dentist is the hardest part. A 2023 Bay City News report cites San Francisco Department of Public Health figures from 2018: just 42 full-time dentists in the city accepted Denti-Cal for 18,342 eligible preschool-age children, roughly 437 children for every dentist. The same report notes that fewer than 60% of California children eligible for Medi-Cal dental benefits actually use them.

Without insurance, a checkup is expensive. The same report found that an identical routine visit for a child aged 3 to 12 would cost $414 out of pocket at one San Francisco pediatric practice.

The takeaway for parents: the routine exam and cleaning is the cheapest dental care your child will ever get. The real challenge in San Francisco is finding an office that takes your coverage and has an opening that fits your week.

The Checkup Access Scorecard

The best dentist for routine care is one you can actually get to every six months. This scorecard compares the practical side of each office: how many days and hours it's open on weekdays, whether it offers Saturdays, whether it takes Medi-Cal, and how many families have reviewed it.

Weekday hours are calculated from each office's Google Business Profile. Saturday and Medi-Cal answers are taken from each office's own website: "Yes" means the website states it, and "No" means it doesn't. Several offices offer Saturdays only on select weekends or by appointment, so check before booking.

What the scorecard shows: Children's Choice is the only private practice here that combines five weekdays of checkup hours with Medi-Cal acceptance. For working parents, that means more appointment slots to choose from. For Medi-Cal families, it means a pediatric office in a city where, as of the last city count, only a few dozen dentists accepted Denti-Cal.

What a Good Kids' Exam and Cleaning Should Include

Not every checkup is equal. Use this checklist to judge any visit, and notice how Children's Choice handles each step.

1. A health and dental history review. Medications, allergies and changes since the last visit affect what the dentist looks for. At Children's Choice, a dental assistant reviews your child's medical and dental history forms at the start of every visit.

2. X-rays, when they're needed. X-rays show cavities between teeth and problems below the gums that an eye exam can't see. How often depends on your child's cavity risk. At Children's Choice, X-rays are digital, which the practice says uses up to 90% less radiation than traditional film.

3. A full exam. The dentist checks every tooth, the gums, the bite and how adult teeth are coming in, not just for cavities. At Children's Choice, the dentist reviews the X-rays with you and your child before the cleaning.

4. A professional cleaning. Plaque and hardened tartar are removed from places a toothbrush misses, and the teeth are polished. At Children's Choice, an assistant polishes the teeth and the dentist completes the cleaning.

5. Fluoride varnish. A quick, painted-on coating that strengthens enamel and can reverse early soft spots. At Children's Choice, varnish is applied every 3 to 6 months depending on your child's risk.

6. A sealant check. Thin protective coatings on the chewing surfaces of back teeth block the grooves where most childhood cavities start. Children's Choice recommends sealants on back teeth as part of routine prevention.

7. Coaching and a clear plan. You should leave knowing how your child is doing, what to work on at home, and what, if anything, needs treatment. At Children's Choice, the dentist creates an individual treatment plan and answers your questions before you go.

A routine visit at Children's Choice takes 20 to 40 minutes. Bring the completed patient form and your insurance or Medi-Cal card.

How Often Should Kids Get Exams and Cleanings? A Calendar by Age

Most children need an exam and cleaning every six months, but the focus of each visit changes as they grow.

When to go more often: children with a history of cavities, braces, or special health care needs often benefit from fluoride every three months. Children's Choice adjusts fluoride frequency to each child's risk, from every 3 to every 6 months.

The 7 Clinics in Depth

Each profile covers what a checkup is like at that office, what else it offers, what parents consistently mention, and what to plan for before booking. Contact details are in the directory above.

1. Children's Choice Dental Care San Francisco

Children's Choice Dental Care San Francisco is a kids-only dental office on Mission Street, in the heart of the Mission District. It's part of Children's Choice Pediatric Dentistry, a network of more than 25 children's dental offices across California. The practice describes its team as award-winning and bilingual, and its offices as colorful spaces designed for kids. With 1,158 Google reviews, it's among the most-reviewed children's dental offices in San Francisco, a reflection of how many local families come here for routine care year after year.

The checkup experience. Every routine visit follows the same clear sequence:

• A dental assistant reviews your child's health history, takes digital X-rays when needed, and polishes the teeth.

• The dentist then goes over the X-rays with you, completes the cleaning, and creates an individual treatment plan.

• Fluoride varnish is applied every 3 to 6 months based on cavity risk, and sealants are recommended to protect the back teeth.

Most routine visits take 20 to 40 minutes, which suits families fitting checkups around school and work.

When a checkup finds something. Children don't have to go elsewhere if a problem turns up. The office treats cavities with tooth-colored fillings and child-sized crowns, including white-faced crowns for front teeth. It offers laughing gas and in-clinic general sedation for anxious children or extensive work, and runs a special needs dentistry program. For older children, it also provides orthodontics, including Invisalign.

Insurance and payment. This is where Children's Choice stands out in San Francisco. It welcomes Medi-Cal Dental and offers eligible children a no-cost exam and X-rays every six months, with toddlers up to age 3 able to come every three months. It also accepts most PPO plans, its treatment coordinators file claims and explain coverage, and it offers payment plans for families paying out of pocket.

Access. Staff speak English and Spanish, appointments can be booked online, and the practice states that its team will never ask about a family's immigration status.

Parents notice:

• Quick check-in and kind, gentle dentists

• Families who have brought their children here since they were small

• Multilingual dentists; one parent was delighted to meet a dentist who spoke both Arabic and English and explained aftercare clearly

• A child with a long-loose tooth who felt much better after a quick check

Plan ahead: the office spans two suites in the building, so look for Suites 323 and 331 when you arrive. The website lists Saturday hours from 8 AM to 5 PM, while Google shows weekdays only, so confirm Saturday availability when booking. 

2. Han Pediatric Dentistry

Han Pediatric Dentistry is a pediatric dental specialty practice on Noriega Street in the Sunset, led by Dr. James Han, a board-certified pediatric dentist, with Dr. Kelly Harris and Dr. Dorothy Nelson. Dr. Han also holds hospital privileges at Sutter California Pacific Medical Center, where he treats children in the operating room when needed. Parents consistently describe his exams as unusually thorough and unhurried.

The checkup experience. For babies and toddlers, Dr. Han often examines the child in a "lap-to-lap" position, so the parent sees exactly what the dentist sees while learning how to brush at home. Older children sit in the chair for a cleaning, polish and exam, and X-rays are taken only as the child's risk calls for. The practice uses low-dose digital X-rays that it says use 90% less radiation than older film. Parents are welcome in the exam room, and children can stream a favorite show on the TV above the chair.

Beyond the checkup. The office offers laughing gas, in-office sedation with a board-certified anesthesiologist, and general anesthesia in the hospital. Emergency care is available after hours and on weekends, and Saturday appointments are also offered.

Parents notice: children leave knowing exactly how to brush better, especially the back teeth. Infants are welcome; one parent brought an 8-month-old with six teeth and found the visit quick and reassuring.

Plan ahead: the practice doesn't list accepted insurance or Medi-Cal on its website, so bring your insurance card and confirm coverage when you book. It's closed on Wednesdays.

3. Discovery Pediatric Dentistry

Discovery Pediatric Dentistry has served Bay Area families for more than 30 years from its office at California Street and Van Ness, serving Pacific Heights, Nob Hill and nearby neighborhoods. Its team includes several board-certified pediatric dentists, among them Dr. Emily Wang, Dr. Melanie Perea-Corkish and Dr. Ignatius "Nate" Gerodias, who is also a clinical professor at the UCSF School of Dentistry. Staff speak Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese and Tagalog, with some Thai, Mien and Laotian, which makes it one of the most multilingual offices in the city.

The checkup experience. Preventive care includes infant oral care, cleanings, fluoride, sealants and "anticipatory guidance," coaching for parents on what's coming next as a child grows. When treatment is needed, the office offers tooth-colored fillings, silver diamine fluoride to stop early cavities, space maintainers, extractions and laughing gas. Parents describe a calm office and dentists who only proceed at a pace the child is comfortable with.

Parents notice: one reviewer who has worked in dentistry for 30 years says they would refer both friends and patients here. Parents of toddlers describe gentle, knowledgeable assistants and an easy first visit.

Plan ahead: the website lists Monday to Friday plus Saturday hours, while Google shows Tuesday to Friday, so confirm before booking. The website doesn't mention Medi-Cal.

4. Seaside Kids Dental

Seaside Kids Dental on Clement Street in the Richmond is led by Dr. Ida Gorshteyn, DDS, MS, a board-certified pediatric dentist. Its schedule is one of the most after-school friendly in the city, with Thursday hours from 2 to 7 PM and Saturday mornings from 9 AM to 2 PM every other weekend.

The checkup experience. Services include exams and cleanings, infant oral care, fluoride, sealants and digital X-rays. When needed, the office also offers silver diamine fluoride, laughing gas, tooth-colored fillings, crowns, extractions, space maintainers and emergency care. Families describe teethers, toys and baby sunglasses in the chair, and a commemorative photo after a baby's first visit. The team talks directly to the child and shows them each tool before using it. For after-hours emergencies, parents can text a photo to have Dr. Gorshteyn paged.

Parents notice: a clean, fun waiting area, patient assistants during cleanings and extractions, and thoughtful adjustments for autistic children.

Plan ahead: the practice accepts all PPO plans but is out of network with every insurer, so expect to pay at the visit; the office submits the claim for you. Cancellations within 48 hours are charged $75. It's closed on Mondays.

5. Mission Bay Pediatric Dentistry

Mission Bay Pediatric Dentistry on 3rd Street in Dogpatch is led by Dr. Erin Shah, a board-certified pediatric dentist with extensive experience caring for children with autism and complex medical conditions. The clinic serves families in Mission Bay, Dogpatch and Potrero Hill.

The checkup experience. The office is built for young children, with a cozy infant and toddler room, TVs above kid-sized chairs, a sunglass station, and a parents' lounge. Children under 2 get free cleanings, and same-day appointments are available. For treatment, it uses SOAN electronic local anesthesia, a pen-like device designed to make numbing more comfortable for kids.

Insurance and payment. The office works with PPO plans: families pay at the visit, and the office files the claim. It also offers an in-house savings plan that covers two cleanings, two exams, X-rays and fluoride each year, plus 20% off treatment. The plan costs $349 a year for children under 3, $499 for ages 3 to 12, and $599 for teens.

Parents notice: children choose their toothpaste and fluoride flavors, and parents say Dr. Shah knows how to calm a terrified toddler.

Plan ahead: Fridays and Saturdays are available on select dates by appointment only. The website doesn't mention Medi-Cal.

6. UCSF Pediatric Dentistry Clinic – Mission Bay

The UCSF Pediatric Dentistry Clinic is part of the UCSF School of Dentistry, and it's staffed by faculty and residents who specialize in treating infants, children and teens. It sits in the Ron Conway Family Gateway Medical Building next to UCSF's children's hospital, and it's reachable by the 55 Dogpatch bus, the T-Third line and UCSF shuttles.

The checkup experience. Preventive care includes exams, cleanings, sealants, fluoride varnish and oral hygiene instruction. The clinic recommends a first visit by the first birthday, and a parent or legal guardian must attend that appointment. When more is needed, it provides fillings and crowns, and full treatment under general anesthesia, with access to other UCSF specialists.

Insurance and payment. The clinic accepts Denti-Cal. It's contracted with Delta Dental PPO only; families with other PPO plans pay at the visit, and UCSF submits the claim for reimbursement.

Plan ahead: as a teaching clinic, visits may take longer than at a private office. It has only a handful of Google reviews, and one reviewer found the desk unstaffed during listed hours, so call ahead to confirm before you travel.

7. SF Pediatric Dentistry – Dr. Kristina Svensson

SF Pediatric Dentistry on California Street in Laurel Heights is a small, personal practice led by Dr. Kristina Svensson, a board-certified pediatric dentist who grew up in the neighborhood. She speaks Russian, Swedish and Spanish, served at a federally qualified health center through the National Health Service Corps, and taught at the Dugoni School of Dentistry for five years. Her practice focuses on prevention and minimally invasive care.

The checkup experience. Parents describe Dr. Svensson's manner as calm and soothing. Her team shows each instrument on the child's hand before using it, which helps nervous children relax, and uses child-friendly words like "happy air" for laughing gas. She has advanced training in caring for children with special health care needs.

Insurance and payment. The practice is in network with more than 40 PPO insurers, including Blue Shield of California PPO, Cigna, Guardian, MetLife and UnitedHealthcare PPO, and it offers a membership plan. It states that it can't accept HMO plans, including Medi-Cal Dental.

Plan ahead: the office is open only on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, so book well in advance.

Opening Hours

Hours as published on each office's Google Business Profile or website, October 2026. Call ahead on holidays.

All seven are closed on Sundays.