# Cottonwood Pediatric Dentistry

> Richmond pediatric dental practice for infants, kids, and teens. Board-certified pediatric dentist, sedation dentistry for anxious or special-needs patients, and the kind of warm, low-pressure first-visit experience kids actually look forward to coming back to. Most major insurance accepted, sliding-scale and Smiles for Children participation.

## Services
- **First Visit & Routine Cleanings** — First dental visit by age 1 (or within 6 months of first tooth) — exam, gentle cleaning, fluoride application, and a relaxed get-to-know-you conversation. Routine cleanings every 6
- **Cavity Treatment & Sedation Dentistry** — Tooth-colored fillings, stainless-steel crowns for primary molars, pulpotomies, and extractions when needed. Nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") sedation as standard for anxious patient
- **Special Needs Dental Care** — Sensory-friendly treatment rooms with adjustable lighting, weighted blankets, fidget tools, and longer appointment slots. Experience with autism spectrum, Down syndrome, ADHD, and 
- **Orthodontic Screening & Early Intervention** — Orthodontic screening starting at age 7 (AAPD recommendation). Early-intervention referrals for crossbite, severe crowding, thumb-sucking habits, and growth-related airway concerns

## Frequently asked questions
### When should my child have their first dental visit?
By age 1 or within 6 months of the first tooth — whichever comes first. AAPD and AAP both recommend this timing because early visits prevent the things that scare kids on later visits (cavities, urgent extractions, anxiety from a first-visit problem). Free first-visit consultation for under-2s.

### Do you accept my insurance?
We're in-network with Delta Dental, Anthem, Cigna, MetLife, United Concordia, Aetna, and most major dental carriers. We're an active Smiles for Children (Virginia Medicaid) provider. We verify your specific benefits before the first visit so you know exactly what's covered.

### What if my child is anxious or has special needs?
We work with anxious and special-needs patients every day — about 25% of our caseload. Sensory-friendly room setup, weighted blankets, longer slots, parent-in-room for any age, nitrous oxide as needed, and conscious oral sedation or full general anesthesia for the most complex cases. We coordinate accommodations before the appointment.

### How does sedation dentistry work?
Three levels: nitrous oxide (mild, wears off in 5 minutes after the mask comes off — most common), conscious oral sedation (a pre-appointment medication that keeps the child calm and minimally aware — used for moderate complexity), and full general anesthesia (in-office hospital partnership — used for major treatment plans or significant special-needs cases). We recommend the lightest level that fits the case.

### What does it cost without insurance?
First visit (exam, cleaning, fluoride, X-rays as needed): $185–$285. Routine recall cleaning: $145–$185. Tooth-colored filling: $185–$385 per tooth. Sedation: $145 nitrous, $385–$580 oral, $1,400–$2,400 general anesthesia (separate facility fee may apply). Sliding-scale assistance available — ask at intake.

## Contact
- Phone: +18045550153
- Email: hello@cottonwoodpediatric.example
- Address: 5400 Patterson Ave, Richmond, VA, 23226
- Service area: Richmond · Henrico · Chesterfield · Short Pump · Glen Allen · Midlothian · Mechanicsville · Greater Richmond Metro
- Website: https://www.fastdigitalmarketing.com/examples/pediatric-dentists

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