Best Pediatric Dentist in Lincoln, CA: Top Kids Dentists Compared (2026 Guide)

TL;DR

Children's Choice Dental Care – Lincoln: Best overall for families who want one office for kids' cleanings, fillings, crowns, sedation, special needs care and orthodontics, and for Medi-Cal families
Placer Smiles Pediatric Dentistry: Best for a board-certified pediatric dentist in a calm, low-stimulation office
Caring Tree Children's Dentistry: Best for restorative care, frenectomies and hospital dentistry referrals
Make A Smile Dental – Lincoln: Best for kids' dentistry plus braces, endodontics and oral surgery in one group
Rocklin Pediatric Dentistry (Rocklin): Best for babies, toddlers and IV sedation
Rocklin Kids Dentist (Rocklin): Best for medical complexity, dental trauma and emergencies
Smile Time Dental: Best for one general dentist for the whole family
Bella Vista Smiles: Best for an independent family dentist with an in-house plan

How to Choose the Best Pediatric Dentist in Lincoln, CA

The best pediatric dentist in Lincoln is the one that fits your child's age, temperament, medical needs and your insurance. A toddler's first visit, a nervous seven-year-old who needs a filling, and a twelve-year-old who needs braces can each point to a different office.

Why it matters. The CDC reports that half of children aged 6 to 9 have had at least one cavity in their baby or permanent teeth, and 1 in 10 adolescents aged 12 to 19 has at least one untreated cavity. Cavities can interfere with eating, speaking, playing and learning.

When to start. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends a first dental visit within six months of the first tooth or by the first birthday, whichever comes first.

What to compare:

Pediatric specialist vs. family dentist. Pediatric dentists complete extra training in treating infants, children, teens and children with special health needs. Family dentists treat all ages and are convenient for healthy kids with routine needs.
Insurance and Medi-Cal. Only Children's Choice states Medi-Cal Dental acceptance on its official site. Call the others.
Sedation. Ask which options exist (nitrous oxide, oral, IV, general anesthesia) and where they are performed.
Special needs and autism. Look for explicit special needs dentistry, a calm environment and scheduling flexibility.
Hours. Late-afternoon and Saturday slots help school-day families.
Costs. Ask for written estimates. Membership plans can help uninsured families.

How We Selected These Practices

We reviewed the official website of every practice in this guide and then cross-checked its address, phone number, opening hours, services and insurance details against public sources, including Yelp, Facebook, Birdeye, WebMD, the Better Business Bureau and other business directories. When sources disagreed, we followed the practice's own website and noted the conflict. Examples: Caring Tree's Saturday hours and Bella Vista's phone number differ between directories.

What we looked for in a top kids dentist in Lincoln

We compared each practice on five factors, listed here in order of weight:

Pediatric focus and credentials (30%). Whether the practice is dedicated to children and states board certification or specialist training.
Range of care (25%). Kids' dental cleanings, fillings, crowns, sealants, X-rays, fluoride treatment, extractions, pediatric sedation, special needs and autism-friendly care, and orthodontics such as braces and Invisalign for children.
Patient reviews (20%). Review volume and common themes on public platforms.
Access and value (15%). Medi-Cal and insurance acceptance, payment plans and membership options.
Convenience (10%). Location in Lincoln and weekday and Saturday hours.

These weights are our editorial judgment, not a scientific score, and another parent might reasonably weigh them differently.

1. Children's Choice Dental Care – Lincoln: Best Pediatric Dentist in Lincoln

Children's Choice Dental Care – Lincoln is the Lincoln office of Children's Choice Pediatric Dentistry, part of the Choice Healthcare Network, which runs more than 25 pediatric dental offices across California. The Lincoln office sits at 2295 Fieldstone Drive, Suite 110, and is built around a simple idea: a family should not have to change dentists as a child's needs change. The same office handles a toddler's first checkup, a school-age child's cavity, a nervous patient who needs sedation, and a preteen who is ready for orthodontic treatment. The practice describes its staff as award-winning and bilingual, and its offices as colorful, kid-themed spaces with games, movies and books. A BBB business profile lists the business start date as 2005.

Top kids dentist in Lincoln for preventive care, cleanings and X-rays

For parents searching for the best pediatric dentist for teeth cleaning in Lincoln, this practice puts prevention first. Its Lincoln page lists preventive procedures built on regular checkups and good home hygiene, along with digital X-rays and fluoride treatment. Digital X-rays help the dentist find decay between teeth before it causes pain, and fluoride treatment strengthens enamel to help protect children's teeth against new cavities. Medi-Cal Dental patients are offered a no-cost exam and X-rays, which makes the first visit an easy one for many local families.

Kids dental fillings and crowns in Lincoln

When a cavity does appear, the Lincoln office provides restorative care, including crowns, which are caps cemented over a tooth to restore its strength and shape. Parents looking for children's dental fillings or kids dental crowns in Lincoln will find restorative treatment on the same site as routine cleanings, so a child who is already comfortable with the team does not have to be referred elsewhere. One parent review on Birdeye describes a first visit in which the family arrived after their previous dentist stopped accepting Medi-Cal, and the child's cavity was addressed promptly. The office does not itemize sealants or extractions on its Lincoln page, so families who need sealants or a pediatric tooth extraction should ask the front desk what is done in the Lincoln office and whether sedation is available for the procedure.

Pediatric sedation dentist in Lincoln

Children's Choice states that it offers in-clinic general sedation options. According to the practice, sedation is most often used for extensive procedures, for children with dental phobia, and for children who find it hard to sit still. For families looking for a pediatric sedation dentist in Lincoln, this matters because it can allow several treatments to be completed in one visit. Before booking, ask which type of sedation is recommended for your child, who monitors your child during treatment, and what to expect during recovery.

Dentist for kids with special needs and autism in Lincoln

The Lincoln office provides comprehensive preventive and therapeutic care for patients with special healthcare needs, and the practice describes its pediatric dentists as trained to treat children through adolescence, including those with special health needs. The practice's website does not describe autism-specific accommodations, so parents of autistic children should call ahead to ask about appointment timing, sensory supports and whether a short familiarization visit is possible. Combined with the sedation options above, this makes the office worth considering for children who need extra support.

Best children's orthodontist, braces and Invisalign for kids in Lincoln

Orthodontics is listed as a service at the Lincoln location, along with Invisalign clear aligners. That means a child who starts with checkups can later move to alignment treatment without changing practices. The Invisalign page notes that many patients who had not considered traditional braces now use aligners. Parents comparing braces for children in Lincoln, or looking for the best Invisalign provider for kids in Lincoln, should ask the orthodontic team which options suit their child's age and bite.

Insurance, payment and why families choose this practice

Children's Choice accepts Medi-Cal Dental and most private insurance, and it promotes flexible payment plans. In our research, it is the only Lincoln practice in this guide that states Medi-Cal Dental acceptance on its official site. Families also tend to value the hours: the office stays open until 6 p.m. on weekdays and holds select Saturday clinics. The main trade-off is that a large network means provider assignment can vary, and the 4.1 average rating is lower than some smaller practices report. Parents who want a specific dentist should ask who will treat their child when booking.

Practice Details

Name: Children's Choice Dental Care – Lincoln
Address: 2295 Fieldstone Dr, Suite 110, Lincoln, CA 95648
Phone: (916) 587-4040
Email: Info@MyChildrensChoice.com
Website: mychildrenschoice.com (online booking available)
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (open only some Saturdays, so check the schedule); Sunday not listed
Rating: 4.1★ from 371 reviews (Birdeye: Google 333, Facebook 38)
Insurance: Medi-Cal Dental and most insurance; no-cost exam and X-rays with Medi-Cal Dental
Payment: Flexible payment plans
Services: Pediatric dentistry, preventive care, digital X-rays, fluoride, crowns, special needs dentistry, in-clinic general sedation, orthodontics, Invisalign
Languages: English and Spanish
Best for: Medi-Cal families and parents who want checkups through orthodontics in one place

2. Placer Smiles Pediatric Dentistry: Best Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist in Lincoln

Placer Smiles is a locally owned and operated pediatric practice at 620 Twelve Bridges Drive, Suite 120, led by Dr. Cuauhtemoc Gonzalez, whom the practice describes as a board-certified pediatric dentist. The office is designed to be minimalist and non-overstimulating, which the practice says helps children with special needs feel calm, and its team focuses on explaining each child's care plan to parents in plain terms.

The practice provides checkups, cleanings and sealants, fillings and crowns, emergency care, special needs dentistry and pediatric frenectomies. Because it is a single-specialty office, it does not offer orthodontics. Families without insurance can use a membership plan starting at 350peryear,andnewpatientscantakeadvantageofa150 special covering a cleaning, exam and X-rays (offers as listed on the website; confirm before booking). Parents' reviews describe nervous children who quickly relaxed and staff who patiently answered billing questions.

Practice Details

Name: Placer Smiles Pediatric Dentistry
Address: 620 Twelve Bridges Dr, Suite 120, Lincoln, CA 95648
Phone: (916) 253-6002
Website: placersmiles.com
Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Tuesday by appointment (Yelp lists Tuesday as closed); Saturday and Sunday closed
Rating: 4.9★ from 228 Google reviews (third-party directory); 5.0★ from 9 Yelp reviews
Insurance / payment: Insurance not verified; membership from 350peryearforuninsuredfamilies;150 new patient special
Services: Checkups, cleanings, sealants, fillings, crowns, emergency care, special needs dentistry, frenectomy
Best for: Board-certified specialist care in a calm office

3. Caring Tree Children's Dentistry: Best for Restorative Care and Frenectomies

Caring Tree Children's Dentistry has served the Lincoln community since 2018, after years of serving Grass Valley. The Lincoln office at 150 Gateway Drive, Suite 110, is led by Dr. Michelle Kucera, DDS, known to patients as "Dr. K," with Dr. Chris Lee, DDS, also on the team. The practice describes itself as a comprehensive pediatric office for toddlers, children and adolescents.

Its service list is one of the most detailed in Lincoln. It includes silver diamine fluoride, sealants, tooth-colored fillings and crowns, pulpotomy, extractions, frenectomies, mouthguards, sedation dentistry, hospital dentistry, emergency dentistry and teeth whitening. That range makes it a practical choice for children who need more than a routine cleaning. Parents' reviews mention child-focused touches such as footprints leading to the treatment area, comfortable chairs and headphones, and patient staff. Families without insurance can ask about the Smile Savings Plan and financing.

Practice Details

Name: Caring Tree Children's Dentistry (Lincoln office)
Address: 150 Gateway Dr, Suite 110, Lincoln, CA 95648
Phone: (916) 251-0170
Website: caringtreechildrensdentistry.com
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday closed (per Yelp; other directories differ, so confirm by phone)
Rating: 100% recommend from 20 Facebook reviews; 23 Yelp reviews (average not verified)
Insurance / payment: Accepts most major health plans per directory listing; CareCredit and Smile Savings Plan
Services: Fillings, crowns, extractions, frenectomy, sedation, hospital dentistry, emergency care
Best for: Restorative work, extractions and frenectomies

4. Make A Smile Dental – Lincoln: Best for Kids' Dentistry Plus Braces and Oral Surgery

Make A Smile Dental is a group of 16 offices across Northern California. The Lincoln office at 731 Sterling Parkway, #100A, combines children's dentistry with orthodontics, endodontics and oral surgery, so families can treat different needs under one group. The group says it welcomes young patients, children who need extra behavior support and children with special needs, and it invites parents into the treatment room.

Sedation options listed for the group include nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation and hospital dentistry. The Lincoln office also offers braces and Invisalign, root canals and wisdom teeth removal. The practice says it accepts most insurance plans, researches benefits on the family's behalf and offers monthly payment plans. Individual dentist credentials for the Lincoln office were not verified.

Practice Details

Name: Make A Smile Dental – Lincoln
Address: 731 Sterling Pkwy, #100A, Lincoln, CA 95648
Phone: (916) 644-0833
Website: makeasmile.com/lincoln
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; weekends closed (per Yelp)
Rating: 30 Yelp reviews (average not verified); Facebook not yet rated
Insurance / payment: Accepts most insurance; monthly payment plans
Services: Children's dentistry, crowns, emergency care, sedation, braces, Invisalign, root canals, oral surgery
Best for: Kids' dentistry plus braces and specialty care in one group

5. Rocklin Pediatric Dentistry (Rocklin): Best for Babies, Toddlers and IV Sedation

Rocklin Pediatric Dentistry, at 2221 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 101, in Rocklin, says it cares for children from Rocklin and nearby communities including Lincoln. Its philosophy is described as a "mother's approach" to pediatric dentistry, with ceiling-mounted TVs and noise-canceling headphones to keep children comfortable.

The practice offers infant oral exams, cleanings, digital X-rays, fluoride, sealants, silver diamine fluoride, tooth-colored fillings, SPRIG crowns, extractions, special needs dentistry, nitrous oxide and in-office IV sedation. It also provides complimentary initial well-baby visits for children three and under, which makes it a good first stop for infants. Its Yelp profile lists autism among its categories. Insurance participation was not verified, so ask when calling.

Practice Details

Name: Rocklin Pediatric Dentistry
Address: 2221 Sunset Blvd, Suite 101, Rocklin, CA 95765
Phone: (916) 435-9100
Website: rocklinpediatricdentistry.com
Opening hours: Monday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday closed (per Yelp)
Rating: 4.9★ (WebMD); 4.9★ from 362 Google reviews (third-party directory, March 2026); 100% recommend from 39 Facebook reviews
Insurance / payment: Insurance not verified; payment plans listed by directories
Services: Infant exams, sealants, fillings, crowns, extractions, nitrous oxide, IV sedation, special needs dentistry
Best for: Babies, toddlers and IV sedation

6. Rocklin Kids Dentist (Rocklin): Best for Medical Needs and Dental Emergencies

Rocklin Kids Dentist, at 5420 Park Drive in Rocklin, is led by Dr. Jude Crutchfield, described on the practice website as a board-certified pediatric dental specialist. The practice says it has served Placer County children for over 20 years and offers comprehensive care from infancy through adolescence.

It treats children with special and medical needs and dental trauma, and lists laughing gas, IV sedation and general anesthesia as treatment options. Its Yelp profile also advertises 24-hour emergency coverage. Parents in reviews mention a dentist who completed cavity treatment with laughing gas alone and children who look forward to visits. Insurance details were not verified.

Practice Details

Name: Rocklin Kids Dentist
Address: 5420 Park Dr, Rocklin, CA 95765
Phone: (916) 435-5230
Email: contactus@rocklinkidsdentist.com
Website: rocklinkidsdentist.com
Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (per Yelp); 24-hour emergency coverage advertised
Rating: 4.8★ from 136 reviews (Birdeye: Google 106, Facebook 27)
Insurance / payment: Insurance not verified; CareCredit accepted
Services: Laughing gas, IV sedation, general anesthesia, trauma care, special needs dentistry
Best for: Children with medical complexity or a dental injury

7. Smile Time Dental: Best General Dentist for the Whole Family

Smile Time Dental is a general and family dental practice at 731 Sterling Parkway, #100B, next door to Make A Smile in the same building. It has a dedicated pediatric dentistry page and serves patients from Lincoln, Roseville, Rocklin, Auburn and Granite Bay. It is not a pediatric specialty practice, so complex needs may be better handled elsewhere.

The practice's guidance follows AAPD recommendations: preventive care beginning around age one or when the first tooth erupts, with checkups every six months. It accepts insurance, and one reviewer on Yelp notes that two children were treated at the same time with no wait. Some reviewers report negative experiences, so read recent feedback.

Practice Details

Name: Smile Time Dental
Address: 731 Sterling Pkwy, #100B, Lincoln, CA 95648
Phone: (916) 669-0606
Website: smiletimedental.com
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; weekends closed (per Yelp)
Rating: 4.2★ from 42 reviews (Birdeye)
Insurance: Accepts insurance (plans not verified)
Services: General and family dentistry with pediatric care
Best for: Healthy kids with routine needs

8. Bella Vista Smiles: Best Independent Family Dentist With an In-House Plan

Bella Vista Smiles is a privately owned, independently operated family dental practice in Lincoln's Twelve Bridges area, led by Dr. Rubina Khorana, DDS, and serving Lincoln since 2018. It welcomes children of all ages but is a family practice, not a pediatric specialty office.

The practice provides general, cosmetic and restorative dentistry, offers same-day appointments for dental emergencies, and runs an in-house dental plan for patients without insurance. Reviewers describe thorough, gentle hygienists who spend time with patients, and one notes the office was in-network after a change of insurance. The website lists (916) 545-3071; some older pages show (916) 543-4400, so confirm when calling.

Practice Details

Name: Bella Vista Smiles
Address: 825 Twelve Bridges Dr, #55, Lincoln, CA 95648 (Lincoln Village shopping center)
Phone: (916) 545-3071
Website: bellavistasmiles.com
Opening hours: Not published in the sources we reviewed; call to confirm
Rating: 4.9★ from 100 Google reviews (third-party directory)
Insurance / payment: Works with dental insurance (plans not verified); in-house dental plan for uninsured patients
Services: General, cosmetic and restorative dentistry, same-day emergency visits
Best for: Independent family dentist with an uninsured-patient plan

What to Expect at Your Child's First Dental Visit

The AAPD recommends a first dental visit within six months of the first tooth, or by the first birthday. The visit is short and gentle. The dentist checks the teeth, gums and jaw, talks through feeding and brushing habits, and gives you tips on fluoride toothpaste and cavity prevention. Babies and toddlers are often examined "knee-to-knee," with your child lying back on your lap and the dentist's, so they stay close to you.

Before you book, use these questions to compare practices:

Who will treat my child, and are they a pediatric dentist?
Can I stay in the room? (Make A Smile says it invites parents in.)
How do you help anxious children, and what sedation options exist if treatment is needed later?
What will the visit cost with my insurance?

Some Lincoln-area practices advertise first-visit offers: Placer Smiles lists a $150 new patient special (cleaning, exam and X-rays), Children's Choice Dental Care – Lincoln lists a no-cost exam and X-rays with Medi-Cal Dental, and Rocklin Pediatric Dentistry offers complimentary well-baby visits for children three and under. Offers change, so confirm before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the best pediatric dentist in Lincoln, CA?

It depends on your child. Children's Choice is the strongest all-in-one option and the one with stated Medi-Cal acceptance, Placer Smiles stands out for its board-certified specialist, and Caring Tree for restorative and surgical care.

Where can I find kids dental fillings and crowns in Lincoln?

Children's Choice, Caring Tree and Placer Smiles all list restorative care including crowns. Ask for a written estimate.

Who offers braces or Invisalign for children in Lincoln?

Children's Choice lists orthodontics and Invisalign at its Lincoln office. Make A Smile offers braces and Invisalign as well.

Is there a pediatric sedation dentist in Lincoln?

Children's Choice lists in-clinic general sedation. Caring Tree lists sedation and hospital dentistry, Make A Smile lists nitrous, oral and IV sedation, and the Rocklin practices offer IV sedation or anesthesia.

Which dentist in Lincoln treats kids with autism or special needs?

Placer Smiles, Children's Choice and both Rocklin practices list special needs care. Call ahead to ask about sensory accommodations.

Which Lincoln practices accept Medi-Cal?

Children's Choice states Medi-Cal Dental acceptance on its official site. Verify the others by phone.

Do kids need fluoride, sealants and X-rays?

Fluoride and sealants help prevent decay, and X-rays reveal cavities between teeth. Your dentist decides what your child needs based on risk and age.

When should my child first see a dentist?

By the first birthday or within six months of the first tooth, per the AAPD.

How much does a first visit cost?

Costs vary. Placer Smiles advertises $150 for a cleaning, exam and X-rays, and Children's Choice advertises a no-cost exam and X-rays with Medi-Cal Dental.

What if we have no insurance?

Placer Smiles (from $350/year), Caring Tree (Smile Savings Plan) and Bella Vista (in-house plan) offer options.