Best Family Dentists in Richmond

In case you didn’t know, February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. And considering that our kids have just chomped their way through back-to-back candy-filled celebrations including Halloween, the winter holidays, and now Valentine’s Day, there couldn’t be a better time to be thinking about their teeth. Of course, if your children are anything like mine, a trip to the dentist is right on par with a trip to the doctor for shots. And that can make finding the right family dentist a bit challenging.

When looking for a family dentist, not only do you want the most qualified and skilled services available, but you also want someone (or an entire team) who is friendly, easy to work with, and can keep your kids feeling at ease and calm. Because after all, a skilled dentist can only do so much if your kids have run screaming from the building, right?

However, with something like dentistry, shopping around can be difficult. One negative experience can leave you and/or your kids feeling traumatized and potentially needing additional services. If nothing else, you’ll feel like you spent a fair bit of money, only to have to start the search all over again.

We know how important dental health is for you and your kids, so we’ve set out to find the top family and children’s dentists in the Greater Richmond area in an effort to save you from time and expense of trial-and-error searches. What we found were five practices that stood out from the crowd thanks to features that included:

1. Reputation and reviews for friendly staff and expert service
2. Convenient location(s)
3. Comprehensive services
4. Special features, services, or technology designed to help kids feel at ease

So whether you’re new to the area and don’t know where to start, you’re in the market for a new dental practice that will better suit your children, or you need somewhere for the entire family, these five top-rated practices will put a smile on your face.

Take a look at our top picks and if you’ve got a favorite dentist that we might have overlooked, let us know at cs@richmondmom.com!

Virginia Family Dentistry

This practice, the largest on our list, actually offers 14 locations throughout Richmond and the Greater Richmond area. And so, you might be thinking, “Great, how do I know which one is the best?” The answer is simple. They’re all amazing. Time after time, office after office, Virginia Family Dentistry gets rave reviews from patients of all ages. Their offices consistently feature the latest technology and are designed to put the whole family at ease. From kids’ areas in the waiting rooms to TVs with Netflix in the patient rooms, you and your kids will be taken care of from start to finish. And because they’ve been around for more than 40 years and offer a team of dentists and specialists that is 50+ strong, you can rest assured that they’ll be there for you and your family for the long haul.

Why we love them:  It’s hard to find consistency in a business that offers multiple locations – not to mention 14 different ones. But somehow, Virginia Family Dentistry makes it happen. And that’s what makes them special. Their commitment to being a family-centric practice shows in every office. So no matter where you live in the Richmond, Greater Richmond, or Tri-Cities area, you’ll have the comfort of knowing that Virginia Family Dentistry is there.

Contact:
Virginia Family Dentistry
Click here for a complete list of locations.

Short Pump Family Dentistry

This popular practice in Short Pump is popular for a reason: they’re just that good. They have earned rave reviews and patient satisfaction scores over and over again for their incredible customer service, their friendly staff, their welcoming atmosphere, and their expertise. This is great for adults, we can all agree. But this kind of service gives us parents even more comfort, knowing that our kids will have the best care in a setting that is geared towards helping them feel relaxed and a staff that is sensitive to their needs, physically and emotionally. (And the TVs with Netflix in the treatment rooms don’t hurt, either!) Best of all, Short Pump Family Dentistry understands the crazy schedules that families sometimes have. They are one of the few practices that offer Saturday visits (by appointment), allowing for greater flexibility to accommodate kids’ school and after-school schedules.

Why we love them: At Short Pump Family Dentistry, the goal is not just to treat every patient but to build a relationship. And patients can feel the difference. They are known for their individualized care for patients of every age – from infants to adults. Dr. David Tse has more than earned his reputation for being kind, thoughtful, and immensely knowledgeable, so much so that when he came to Richmond from Fredericksburg, he even had some patients continue to see him despite the drive. To us, that speaks to the kind of practice he runs – and that’s the kind of place you want to be able to take your family.

Contact:
Short Pump Family Dentistry
201 Towne Center West Blvd
Suite 709
Richmond, VA 23233
(804) 332-5505
Schedule an appointment online.

Grove Avenue Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

For a dental practice that you can count on for the whole family for years to come, Grove Avenue Family and Cosmetic Dentistry is the go-to place for many Richmond families. With services that cover everything from general dentistry to endodontic procedures, you can rest assured that there’s nothing they can’t handle. But, as we’ve said before, skill isn’t everything. Fortunately, this dental practice combines a commitment to making you feel like family with their expertise. The result is a place where everyone feels at home. To make trips to the dentist easy on your kids, they offer features like a separate kids’ section that is designed to make them feel comfortable and at ease. From cartoons they can watch during their treatment to a prize at the end, you can be certain that your children, from toddlers to teens, will get the same personal attention, patience, and sensitive treatment that you’ll receive as an adult.

Why we love them: What better way to get kids excited about something than to make them feel part of a special club? At Grove Avenue Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, your kids can join the Kids Club which includes a membership certificate, “smile reports,” a new toothbrush after every visit, and chances to win prizes like a dinner at Chick-fil-A for the whole family. It’s that kind of inclusive attitude that sets this practice apart in our book. Yes, they are known for their incredible dentists and staff, but more than that, they’re known for their caring – from your littlest family members up.

Contact:
Grove Avenue Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
4315 Grove Ave
Richmond, VA 23221
(804) 285-1378

Sparkle Pediatric Dentistry

With a name like “Sparkle Pediatric Dentistry,” even your most reticent kids will have to admit that it doesn’t sound so bad. And they would be right. In fact, Sparkle Family Dentistry prides themselves on their kid-friendly approach, and it shows in everything they do. Whether you choose to go to Sparkle’s Hanover or Short Pump office, you’ll find the same warm welcome and easy experience. The staff is specially trained in treating younger patients…with patience. They are sensitive to young children’s needs and anxieties, going out of their way to put you and your child at ease. From careful explanations of every procedure to kid-friendly features like touch-screen computers for playing games in the waiting room and TVs in patient rooms, your kids will barely even notice they’re at the dentist.

Why we love them: As an adult, you know the importance of dental care and regular check-ups. You even know that when a dentist fills a cavity, they’re doing it for your own good and not as some form of cruel torture. Kids don’t always have the same perspective. Sparkle Pediatric Dentistry knows that dentist visits can be hard on kids, so they go out of their way to make it fun. Sure, most doctors and dentists will offer a sticker or small prize for a good visit, but the Sparkle team goes above and beyond with balloons, prizes, goody bags, and more. This, of course, makes the kids happy. But you’ll leave happy, too, knowing that Sparkle dentists receive additional training specific to pediatric dentistry, which means that no one knows kids (and their teeth) better. Plus, they provide services for children with special needs, as well, making them a resource for the entire community.

Contact:
Sparkle Pediatric Dentistry
Hanover Office:
8203 Center Path Ln
Mechanicsville, VA 23116
(804) 746-7382
info@pdvirginia.com

Short Pump Office:
11934 W Broad St, Suite 120
Henrico, VA 23233
(804) 746-7382
info@pdvirginia.com

James River Family Dentistry

If consistently receiving five-star reviews isn’t enough to convince you that James River Family Dentistry is doing something right, then hearing what their patients have to say just might. Time and again, this Southside office is praised for their incredible staff and personal approach. Not only will you be greeted by friendly faces as soon as you walk in the door, but everyone from their reception team to the highly trained dental hygienists is known for making you feel like family. Then, of course, there’s Dr. Guthrie herself. In addition to a number of awards, including being named one of the top women in dentistry, she is a regular contributor to CBS Channel 6 News program “Virginia This Morning,” where she provides the latest news on dental health. Finally, their immaculate offices are designed to make you and your kids feel relaxed and at ease from start to finish.  With an easy to find location just off of Huguenot Road in Bon Air, James River Family Dentistry offers everything from family and cosmetic services to preventative and emergency care, making them a one-stop shop for your entire household.

Why we love them: It’s one thing to have a friendly staff, it’s another thing altogether to be truly dedicated to your patients’ physical and mental comfort. At James River Family Dentistry, you’ll find all the latest and greatest in technology designed to minimize discomfort, which is great for us adults. But even the greatest technology may not be enough to ease kids’ anxiety about a trip to the dentist, so the staff at James River Family Dentistry offers a Just for Kids section on their website. With downloadable coloring sheets, “Tooth Fairy Progress Reports,” brushing calendars, and much more, you can actually get your kids excited about their dental health before and after their visit.  But, what really sets this practice apart for us is a little thing called Marley. Marley is the practice’s therapy dog and he takes his job seriously. As a French Bulldog, he’s small in stature but big in heart, making adults and children alike feel less anxiety about procedures.

Contact:
James River Family Dentistry
2805 McRae Road
Richmond VA 23235
(804) 323-4200
Request an appointment online

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