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Local services · Winston-Salem, NC/Updated June 13, 2026

The Best Pediatric Dentists in Winston-Salem, NC

Finding the right pediatric dentist is essential for your child's dental health. Our curated list highlights the best options in Winston-Salem.

Editorially independent10 companies evaluated
cover story
★ Editor's ChoiceMerhoff & Associates Pediatric Dentistry
96Score
Latest update · June 13, 2026: Initial ranking published. 10 Winston-Salem-metro pediatric dentists businesses evaluated, top 10 ranked by Vetted Score.

Choosing a pediatric dentist is an important decision for parents in Winston-Salem, ensuring their children receive specialized dental care in a comfortable environment. The right dental professional can make a significant difference in a child's attitude toward oral health.

We evaluated ten pediatric dentists in the Winston-Salem metro area based on their ratings, review counts, and customer feedback. Our goal was to identify those that stand out for both quality of care and patient satisfaction.

10providers evaluated in Winston-Salem
4.66average rating across the field
4.4Kcustomer reviews analyzed

Cityvetted analysis of public Google review data, updated June 13, 2026.

How much does this service cost in Winston-Salem? See the price breakdown →

Our top picks

At a glance · three categories
Editor's Choice
96Score

Merhoff & Associates Pediatric Dentistry

★★★★★4.9(570 reviews)

With a stellar rating of 4.9 from 570 reviews, Merhoff & Associates Pediatric Dentistry is praised for its friendly staff and child-centered approach.

Read full review
Best Value
95Score

Creative Kids Pediatric Dentistry

★★★★★4.9(524 reviews)

Creative Kids Pediatric Dentistry also boasts a 4.9 rating from 524 reviews, with many parents highlighting the engaging atmosphere and the staff's ability to connect with children.

Read full review
Most Reviewed
94Score

Spangler, Lambert & Lipp Pediatric Dentistry has a solid 4.9 rating from 468 reviews.

Read full review

All 10, compared

Data as of June 13, 2026
BusinessVetted ScoreGoogle ratingReviewsBest for
1
96Score
4.9★★★★★
570Children with dental anxiety
2
95Score
4.9★★★★★
524Families looking for engaging dental visits
3
94Score
4.9★★★★★
468Routine checkups and preventative care
4
93Score
5.0★★★★★
161Anxiety-prone children
5
91Score
4.8★★★★★
1,131Educational and preventive care
6
89Score
4.6★★★★★
1,190Fun and engaging visits
7
84Score
4.9★★★★★
38Personalized dental care
8
82Score
5.0★★★★★
1Potentially great care for kids
9
78Score
4.0★★★★★
181Budget-conscious families
10
78Score
3.6★★★★★
184Families seeking convenience
Methodology

How we evaluated all 10 providers.

Our evaluation process involved analyzing online reviews, ratings, and overall patient feedback to generate a transparent Vetted Score for each dental practice. We do not accept payments for placement, ensuring that our rankings reflect true performance.

This list is updated monthly, incorporating the latest review data to keep our recommendations fresh and reliable for families seeking pediatric dental care.

The Vetted Score: six weighted factors

Customer sentiment25%
Rating quality20%
Review volume & velocity20%
Website trust signals15%
Service breadth10%
Business longevity10%

Sentiment is measured by AI analysis of review text, recency-weighted, with verified-pattern checks to discount suspicious review bursts.

Full reviews

The rankings · in order
1
★ Editor's Choice

Merhoff & Associates Pediatric Dentistry

★★★★★4.9(570 reviews)
96Score

With a stellar rating of 4.9 from 570 reviews, Merhoff & Associates Pediatric Dentistry is praised for its friendly staff and child-centered approach. Parents appreciate the gentle handling of their children during visits, making it an excellent choice for anxiety-prone kids. However, some may find availability limited due to its popularity.

Pros

  • Highly rated for child-friendly environment
  • Experienced staff
  • Comprehensive care

Cons

  • Limited appointment availability
Best forChildren with dental anxiety
Service areaWinston-Salem
Typical pricing$75 to $150
2
Best Value

Creative Kids Pediatric Dentistry

★★★★★4.9(524 reviews)
95Score

Creative Kids Pediatric Dentistry also boasts a 4.9 rating from 524 reviews, with many parents highlighting the engaging atmosphere and the staff's ability to connect with children. This practice is particularly known for its fun decor and interactive dental experiences. However, some parents noted that wait times can be longer than expected.

Pros

  • Fun and engaging environment
  • Great staff interaction
  • Affordable pricing

Cons

  • Longer wait times reported
Best forFamilies looking for engaging dental visits
Service areaWinston-Salem
Typical pricing$75 to $150
3
Most Reviewed

Spangler, Lambert & Lipp Pediatric Dentistry - Winston Salem

★★★★★4.9(468 reviews)
94Score

Spangler, Lambert & Lipp Pediatric Dentistry has a solid 4.9 rating from 468 reviews. Parents appreciate the thoroughness of the examinations and the friendly demeanor of the staff. The clinic is well-suited for regular checkups and preventative care. A downside is that the practice can be quite busy, leading to rushed appointments at times.

Pros

  • Thorough examinations
  • Friendly staff
  • Preventative care focus

Cons

  • Busy practice can lead to rushed visits
Best forRoutine checkups and preventative care
Service areaWinston-Salem
Typical pricing$75 to $150

This location of Spangler, Lambert & Lipp Pediatric Dentistry has an impressive 5.0 rating from 161 reviews. Patients praise the staff's ability to create a welcoming environment for kids, making visits enjoyable and stress-free. While the quality is high, the practice's limited reviews compared to others make it promising but unproven.

Pros

  • Welcoming environment
  • High-quality care
  • Good for anxious children

Cons

  • Limited review base
Best forAnxiety-prone children
Service areaKernersville area
Typical pricing$75 to $150
5
91Score

Triad Kids Dental has a strong 4.8 rating from 1,131 reviews, known for its comprehensive care and friendly staff. Many parents appreciate the focus on education and preventive care. However, some reviews mention that the facility can get crowded, which may affect the overall experience. A review base that deep is hard to game, and the score barely moves across it, which is the clearest consistency signal we track. Most of what reviewers hire it for is educational and preventive care. It serves Winston-Salem, with $75 to $150 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are crowded facility.

Pros

  • Comprehensive care
  • Educational focus
  • Friendly staff

Cons

  • Crowded facility
Best forEducational and preventive care
Service areaWinston-Salem
Typical pricing$75 to $150
6

Smile Starters- Winston Salem

★★★★★4.6(1,190 reviews)
89Score

Smile Starters has a 4.6 rating from 1,190 reviews and is noted for its approachable staff and fun atmosphere. Parents commend the practice for making dental visits enjoyable for children. However, some have reported inconsistent appointment availability, which could be a drawback for busy families. A review base that deep is hard to game, and the score barely moves across it, which is the clearest consistency signal we track. Most of what reviewers hire it for is fun and engaging visits. It serves Winston-Salem, with $75 to $150 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are inconsistent appointment availability.

Pros

  • Fun atmosphere
  • Approachable staff
  • Child-friendly approach

Cons

  • Inconsistent appointment availability
Best forFun and engaging visits
Service areaWinston-Salem
Typical pricing$75 to $150
7

Dr. Tina Merhoff, DDS

★★★★★4.9(38 reviews)
84Score

Dr. Tina Merhoff, DDS has a solid 4.9 rating from 38 reviews, with many parents praising her gentle approach and thorough explanations. The practice is ideal for families looking for a more personalized experience. However, the limited number of reviews may leave some parents wanting more assurance. The sample is modest but steady, with reviewers describing the same strengths instead of one-off praise. Most of what reviewers hire it for is personalized dental care. It serves Winston-Salem, with $75 to $150 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are limited review base.

Pros

  • Gentle approach
  • Personalized care
  • Thorough explanations

Cons

  • Limited review base
Best forPersonalized dental care
Service areaWinston-Salem
Typical pricing$75 to $150
8

Dr. Melissa Blake, DMD

★★★★★5.0(1 reviews)
82Score

Dr. Melissa Blake, DMD has a perfect 5.0 rating from 1 review, praised for her exceptional care and approach to children. While the single review is glowing, it leaves the practice sounding promising but unproven. Parents may want to wait for more feedback before choosing this option. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is potentially great care for kids. It serves Winston-Salem, with $75 to $150 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are only one review available.

Pros

  • Exceptional care
  • Child-friendly approach

Cons

  • Only one review available
Best forPotentially great care for kids
Service areaWinston-Salem
Typical pricing$75 to $150
9

Pediatric Dentistry by Dr. Jeffries

★★★★★4.0(181 reviews)
78Score

Pediatric Dentistry by Dr. Jeffries holds a 4.0 rating from 181 reviews. Some parents appreciate the straightforward approach to care, while others have noted that the office could use some updates. This practice may be a budget-friendly option, but the mixed reviews suggest it might not be the best choice for everyone.

Pros

  • Straightforward care
  • Budget-friendly

Cons

  • Mixed reviews
  • Needs updates
Best forBudget-conscious families
Service areaWinston-Salem
Typical pricing$75 to $150
10

Kid Smiles

★★★★★3.6(184 reviews)
78Score

Kid Smiles has a rating of 3.6 from 184 reviews, with some parents praising its friendly staff. However, many reviews indicate concerns about long wait times and scheduling issues. While it may be a convenient option, the overall experience may not meet everyone's expectations. That is a substantial body of feedback for a local operator, enough to trust the rating rather than credit a lucky streak. Most of what reviewers hire it for is families seeking convenience. It serves Winston-Salem, with $75 to $150 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are long wait times and scheduling issues.

Pros

  • Friendly staff
  • Convenient location

Cons

  • Long wait times
  • Scheduling issues
Best forFamilies seeking convenience
Service areaWinston-Salem
Typical pricing$75 to $150
Before you book

How to choose a pediatric dentist in Winston-Salem

When selecting a pediatric dentist, consider several factors to ensure the best fit for your child.

Check Credentials

Ensure the dentist is board-certified and has specialized training in pediatric dentistry.

Read Reviews

Look for feedback from other parents regarding their experiences and the dentist's approach to children.

Visit the Office

Schedule a visit to see the office environment and how staff interact with children.

Evaluate Communication

Ensure the dentist communicates well with both parents and children, making visits less stressful.

What it costs

What pediatric dentistry costs in Winston-Salem

The cost of pediatric dental care can vary based on the services offered and the dentist's experience.

Routine Checkup$75 to $150 depending on the practice and included services.
Dental Cleaning$100 to $200, varying with the complexity of the cleaning.
Fluoride Treatment$30 to $60, typically added to checkup visits.
Sealants$40 to $100 per tooth, a preventive measure against cavities.

Frequently asked questions

How much does pediatric dentistry cost in Winston-Salem?

$75 to $150 for routine services, with additional costs for treatments like sealants or fluoride.

What should I look for in a pediatric dentist?

Look for credentials, read reviews, visit the office, and evaluate their communication style.

How often is this ranking updated?

We re-run the full analysis monthly with fresh review data. Last updated June 13, 2026.

Our verdict

For most Winston-Salem families: Merhoff & Associates Pediatric Dentistry

The top choice for pediatric dentists in Winston-Salem is Merhoff & Associates Pediatric Dentistry, known for its child-friendly approach and high ratings. Close runners-up include Creative Kids Pediatric Dentistry, praised for its engaging environment, and Spangler, Lambert & Lipp Pediatric Dentistry, recognized for thorough examinations and friendly staff.