Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric dentistry and orthodontics designed for kids · Charlottesville, VA
Published in partnership with Charlottesville Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Book online anytime
| Mon | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Tue | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Wed | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Thu | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Fri | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Sat | Closed |
| Sun | Closed |
Charlottesville Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics has established itself as the premier destination for children's dental care in Charlottesville, Virginia. Led by a team of four experienced pediatric dentists—Dr. Aaron J. Stump, Dr. Taylor R. Smith, Dr. Jennifer M. Dixon, and Dr. Nancy Stranix—the practice specializes exclusively in treating infants, children, adolescents, and patients with special needs. With convenient locations at both Hollymead Town Center and Spring Creek Business Park, they've built a reputation for excellence, earning a 4.9-star rating from over 680 families in the Charlottesville community.
The practice's mission centers on providing comprehensive dental care in an environment specifically designed for children. Their state-of-the-art facilities combine the latest dental technology with kid-friendly spaces that transform what could be an anxious experience into one that's fun, exciting, and educational. Following the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's recommendation that children see a dentist by their first birthday, the team focuses on early intervention and prevention—critical since cavities remain the number one chronic disease affecting children. Services range from first dental visits and preventive care to complex procedures like frenectomies, restorative dentistry, and full orthodontic treatment.
What distinguishes Charlottesville Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is their specialized training in child development and behavior management, combined with a genuine passion for working with young patients. The doctors and staff treat each child as if they were their own, creating a warm, welcoming, compassionate environment where children feel safe and comfortable. Beyond clinical excellence, they emphasize education—teaching children and parents about proper oral hygiene habits that will last a lifetime. For families searching for the best pediatric dentist in Charlottesville or pediatric orthodontics near Hollymead, this practice offers the unique advantage of comprehensive care under one roof, eliminating the need for multiple specialist referrals.
The practice serves families throughout Charlottesville and the surrounding Albemarle County area, with office hours Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Their dual locations provide convenient access for families across the region, whether in the growing Hollymead Town Center corridor or the established Spring Creek Business Park area. By combining specialized pediatric dental expertise, orthodontic services, child-centered facilities, and a team genuinely dedicated to making dental visits positive experiences, Charlottesville Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics has become the trusted choice for parents who want the very best dental care for their children.
Best for: Parents of infants and toddlers seeking a first dental visit, families looking for a trusted pediatric dentist in Charlottesville, children who are nervous or anxious about dental visits, kids needing orthodontic treatment, parents of children with special needs requiring specialized dental care, families seeking comprehensive pediatric dentistry and orthodontics under one roof
Service area: Charlottesville, VA and surrounding Albemarle County, with convenient locations at Hollymead Town Center and Spring Creek Business Park
Why choose Charlottesville Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics: Unlike general dentists who see patients of all ages, Charlottesville Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics employs four board-certified pediatric dentists with specialized residency training exclusively in children's oral health, behavior management, and special needs care. Their dual locations, state-of-the-art kid-friendly facilities, and in-house orthodontics eliminate the need for multiple specialist referrals, providing continuity of care from infancy through adolescence—all backed by a 4.9-star rating from over 680 local families.
Four Specialized Pediatric Dentists on Staff: Dr. Aaron Stump, Dr. Taylor Smith, Dr. Jennifer Dixon, and Dr. Nancy Stranix provide comprehensive pediatric expertise with specialized training in treating infants, children, adolescents, and patients with special needs—not general dentists, but board-certified specialists in pediatric dentistry.
Dual Convenient Locations in Charlottesville: Two state-of-the-art facilities at Hollymead Town Center and Spring Creek Business Park provide accessible care across Charlottesville and Albemarle County, with kid-friendly environments designed specifically for children's comfort.
Comprehensive Care Under One Roof: Full spectrum of pediatric dental services including preventive care, restorative dentistry, frenectomies, and orthodontics—eliminating the need for multiple specialist referrals and providing continuity of care from infancy through adolescence.
Outstanding Community Reputation: 4.9-star rating from 681+ families on Google reflects consistent excellence in clinical care and patient experience, making them one of the highest-rated pediatric dental practices in the Charlottesville area.
| Service | Details | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Restorative Dentistry | Fillings, crowns, and treatments to repair cavities, injuries, or infections in children's teeth. | |
| First Dental Visit (Infant Oral Exam) | Comprehensive oral exam for infants and toddlers by age one, establishing healthy dental habits early. | |
| Preventive Pediatric Dentistry | Routine cleanings, exams, fluoride treatments, and sealants to prevent cavities in children. | |
| First Dental Visit (Baby's First Tooth) | Infant dental exams starting at age one or first tooth eruption, focused on prevention and parent education. | |
| Pediatric Dental Exams & Cleanings | Comprehensive preventive dental care for children including exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants. | |
| Restorative Dentistry | Tooth-colored fillings, crowns, and pulp therapy to gently restore cavities and damaged teeth in children. |
What age should my child have their first dental visit?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children see a dentist by their first birthday. Charlottesville Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics welcomes infants as young as their first tooth eruption or age one, whichever comes first. Early visits help prevent dental problems, establish a dental home, and teach parents about proper oral hygiene habits from the start. The doctors specialize in making these first visits positive and educational, setting the foundation for a lifetime of healthy dental habits.
What services does the practice offer?
The practice provides comprehensive pediatric dental care including preventive services (cleanings, exams, fluoride, sealants), restorative dentistry (fillings, crowns, pulp therapy), frenectomies (tongue-tie and lip-tie releases), emergency dental care, treatment for children with special needs, and full orthodontic services (braces and clear aligners). Having pediatric dentistry and orthodontics under one roof means families can receive all dental care without multiple specialist referrals, with continuity from infancy through adolescence.
Are the dentists specially trained to work with children?
Yes. Dr. Aaron Stump, Dr. Taylor Smith, Dr. Jennifer Dixon, and Dr. Nancy Stranix are all pediatric dentists, which means they completed dental school plus an additional 2-3 years of specialized residency training in pediatric dentistry. This training includes child psychology, growth and development, behavior management techniques, treating children with special needs, and handling dental issues specific to children. They are not general dentists who see children—they are specialists who exclusively treat young patients.
How do you help children who are nervous or anxious about dental visits?
The entire practice is designed to make dental visits fun and comfortable for children. The facilities feature kid-friendly decor and environments, the staff is specially trained in positive behavior management techniques, and the doctors use age-appropriate language to explain procedures. They treat each child as an individual, going at their pace and using techniques like tell-show-do to build trust. For children with special needs or high anxiety, the team has extensive experience adapting their approach to ensure every child receives excellent care in a compassionate, patient manner.
Do you accept dental insurance?
The practice works with most major dental insurance plans. It's recommended to call the office at (434) 975-7336 to verify your specific insurance coverage and understand your benefits. The front office staff can check eligibility, explain coverage details, and discuss payment options for any out-of-pocket costs. They aim to make dental care accessible and will work with families to maximize insurance benefits.
How do I schedule an appointment?
You can schedule an appointment by calling the office at (434) 975-7336 or through the practice website at cvillepediatricdentistry.com. The practice has two convenient locations—Hollymead Town Center and Spring Creek Business Park—and office hours Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. For new patients, plan to arrive a few minutes early to complete paperwork, or download forms from the website in advance.
Why should cavities in baby teeth be treated if they're just going to fall out?
Baby teeth are critical for proper chewing, speech development, and holding space for permanent teeth. Untreated cavities can cause pain, infection, and damage to developing permanent teeth underneath. Since cavities are the number one chronic disease in children, early treatment prevents more serious problems. The pediatric dentists at Charlottesville Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics specialize in gentle, effective restorative care to preserve baby teeth until they naturally fall out at the appropriate time.
What makes a pediatric dentist different from a family dentist?
Pediatric dentists complete 2-3 additional years of specialized training beyond dental school, focusing exclusively on the oral health of children from infancy through adolescence. This includes expertise in child development, behavior management, treating patients with special needs, and handling dental issues unique to growing mouths. The office environment, equipment, and communication style are all tailored specifically for children, making visits more comfortable and effective than a general dental practice.
“I have 6x children, and in the past 15 years living in five different duty assignments with the Army, Dr Smith’s careful, professional care is the best. Dr Smith and Yessi were outstanding in thoroughly explaining the whole cavity filling procedure to my 8 year old daughter. Julia said that she had a great experience; no pain. I highly recommend anyone to bring their children here for teeth care! I know I will be back with one of my youngest three soon.”
— Michael Lee, Google Review
“We had such a wonderful experience with the SC office of Cville Pediatric dentistry! We have seen Dr Dixon & Dr Stump and both were incredible with my toddler. The assistant and front desk staff are gentle, kind & patient making the visit enjoyable! It is clear they truly care about kids and making their visits positive, with limited tears!”
— Darian Ragland, Google Review
“Great staff. Great dentist- really made my son feel comfortable, safe and listened to. Great experience for parents as well! Highly recommended. We have been looking for the perfect dentist since moving here and finally found him!”
— Leora Brown, Google Review
“I drive an hour and 10 mins to come here specifically! My daughter is 2 and 1/2 and has now been here twice and both times the dental assistant Yessi has been with us. She is amazing! She’s super good with kids and made my daughter feel comfortable. Everyone in the office is great but I just wanted to shout her out specifically! The dentists are also very gentle and playful in the best way.”
— Ashley Cash, Google Review
“I cannot say enough wonderful things about Dr. Stump and the entire staff. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with kindness, warmth, and professionalism. The office runs smoothly, the environment is clean and calming, and you can truly feel that everyone there cares about their patients. Dr. Stump is not only incredibly skilled and knowledgeable, but also gentle, patient, and thorough. He takes the time to explain everything clearly, answers questions without rushing, and makes sure you feel comfortable every step of the way. That kind of compassion makes all the difference—especially for those of us who may feel anxious about dental visits. The staff is equally amazing—friendly, attentive, and always willing to go the extra mile to make you feel at ease. You can tell they work well as a team and genuinely enjoy what they do. I’m so grateful to have found a dental office where I feel respected, heard, and truly cared for. Highly recommend Dr. Stump and his wonderful team!”
— Michelle Spencer Fuentes, Google Review
Book online: Schedule Appointment →
Phone: (434) 975-7336
Address: 1620 Timberwood Blvd #201, Charlottesville, VA 22911 (Get directions)
Website: cvillepediatricdentistry.com/
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