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The best pediatric dentist in Lakeland: we read 5,584 reviews so you don't have to (2026)
About 1,000 people a month search pediatric dentist lakeland, so we read the reviews behind the names and ranked the ones parents actually praise.
The Local Desk · Lakeland, FL · September 25, 2026
Key facts
Pediatric Dentistry of Lakeland - North - Dr. Erin & Associates tops this list of 9 places in Lakeland, FL, ranked from 13,851 Google reviews, September 25, 2026. Cross-checked against 6 outside rankings. Nobody pays to be listed.
| # | Business | Rating | Reviews | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pediatric Dentistry of Lakeland - North - Dr. Erin & Associates | 4.9★ | 998 | Best for first visits |
| 2 | Abdoney Pediatric Dentistry | 4.9★ | 341 | Best for sensory needs |
| 3 | Harp Pediatric Dentistry - Edgewood | 4.6★ | 1,223 | Best for anxious kids |
| 4 | Tooth Caboose: Dr.Tanya Bejarano DDS, Dr.Daniel Ruffolo DDS MSD | 4.9★ | 581 | Best for second opinions |
| 5 | Dentistry for Children: Dr. Tarver, Dr. Scheps & Dr. Bopp | 4.6★ | 536 | Best for sedation cases |
| 6 | iHeartSmiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics | 5.0★ | 350 | Best for braces years |
| 7 | Dr. Jenny Edwards Lynn | 4.9★ | 270 | Best for nervous parents |
| 8 | The Family Dentist/Dr. Mariela Lung | 4.8★ | 17 | Best for fearful patients |
| 9 | Bright Smiles of Winter Haven | 4.5★ | 342 | Best for toddlers |
Lakeland's kids' dental scene is better than its Google stars suggest, but it splits hard into two camps: the big, treehouse-and-TV practices built for a nervous four-year-old's first visit, and the quieter offices that win parents over one gentle cleaning at a time. The difference between a screaming morning and a painless one is usually the room and the assistant, not the letters after the dentist's name.
We read 5,584 reviews across 119 places (100 each for the 62 contenders); 71 reviews specifically mention pediatric dentist; we checked 6 outside rankings for "best pediatric dentist in Lakeland" (deltadental.com, pedodentbrandon.com, pediatricassociates.com, lakelandmom.com, google.com/search) and 22 of our 9 appear on at least one; 13,851 Google reviews stand behind the 9 places listed; list average 4.81★ vs. category average 4.72★; about 1,000 people a month search "pediatric dentist lakeland". This list came from reading those reviews, not from reading names on a sign.
1,866
reviews read
13,851
Google reviews behind the list
4.81★
list average
city average 4.72★
1,000
monthly searches for “pediatric dentist lakeland”
What reviewers mention most across the list: friendly staff (2082) · hygienist (576) · kind staff (379) · caring staff (368) · comfortable atmosphere (287) · welcoming atmosphere (109)
- 1
Pediatric Dentistry of Lakeland - North - Dr. Erin & Associates
★★★★★ 4.9 · 998 Google reviews5710 US Hwy 98 N of, Lakeland, FL 33809 · 9 of 69 reviews read mention pediatric dentist (≈130 overall) · on 3 of 6 rankings we checked (pedodentbrandon.com, lakelandmom.com, google.com/search) · 11.2 km from downtown
Best for first visitskind staffwelcoming atmospherefirst dentist visitwait timeNine of the 69 recent reviews we read here name pediatric dentistry outright, and the details repeat: a treehouse in the waiting area, games in the back, a personal TV above every chair. Parents are welcome to walk back with their kids, which is the single thing Lakeland families write about most at this US Hwy 98 N office.
Order this: Ask to go back with your child; chairside TVs above each seat
“If you are looking for a pediatric dentist look no further”
Pediatric Dentistry of Lakeland - North - Dr. Erin & Associates Reviews →Own this business? Claim your free page
- 2
Abdoney Pediatric Dentistry
★★★★★ 4.9 · 341 Google reviews2220 Bloomingdale Ave, Valrico, FL 33596, USA · 19 of 86 reviews read mention pediatric dentist (≈75 overall) · on 0 of 6 rankings we checked · 31.4 km from downtown
Best for sensory needsNineteen of the 86 reviews we read mention pediatric dentistry, the highest share on this list, and several come from parents of autistic kids who describe a first cleaning finished in fifteen minutes. Reviewers repeatedly call Dr. Matt conservative and unhurried, meaning no pressure toward work they didn't ask about; it's a drive out to Bloomingdale Ave in Valrico, and regulars say the wait is short.
Order this: Ask for Dr. Matt; dental assistant Maddie gets named often
“Dr Matt is the best pediatric dentist ! His staff is fast and efficient and made my baby girl feel so comfortable”
Abdoney Pediatric Dentistry Reviews →Own this business? Claim your free page
- 3
Harp Pediatric Dentistry - Edgewood
★★★★★ 4.6 · 1,223 Google reviews2015 E Edgewood Dr A, Lakeland, FL 33803 · 5 of 73 reviews read mention pediatric dentist (≈84 overall) · on 2 of 6 rankings we checked (google.com/search, google.com/maps) · about 210 searches a month for its name · 3.5 km from downtown
Best for anxious kidssedationshort wait timeanesthesiologistsmooth processFive of the 73 reviews we read name pediatric dentistry, and the recurring theme on Edgewood Drive is access: in-office sedation with an anesthesiologist, short waits, and parents allowed to hold a hand through the whole procedure. Several families arrived after trying two other offices and stayed, including one who calls the team caring and gentle with a special needs daughter.
Order this: Ask about in-office sedation and staying beside the chair
“I have been looking for a new dentist for my children and found Harp pediatric dentistry”
Harp Pediatric Dentistry - Edgewood Reviews →Own this business? Claim your free page
- 4
Tooth Caboose: Dr.Tanya Bejarano DDS, Dr.Daniel Ruffolo DDS MSD
★★★★★ 4.9 · 581 Google reviews2005 Thonotosassa Rd Ste B, Plant City, FL 33563 · 8 of 65 reviews read mention pediatric dentist (≈72 overall) · on 1 of 6 rankings we checked (google.com/search) · 18.2 km from downtown
Best for second opinionspediatric dentisthygienistfirst dentist visitsecond opinionEight of the 65 reviews we read mention pediatric dentistry, and the room does a lot of the work: a real train caboose with hand-painted murals, plus Mila the golden doodle making rounds. Lakeland parents routinely drive the 30 minutes to Plant City for both the peds side and the orthodontics under the same roof, and one family credits Dr. Ruffolo with a second opinion that avoided four extractions.
Order this: Ask for Dr. Ruffolo and Nicki; say hello to Mila
“No other pediatric dentist made them feel as safe or as comfortable as the Tooth Caboose”
Tooth Caboose: Dr.Tanya Bejarano DDS, Dr.Daniel Ruffolo DDS MSD Reviews →Own this business? Claim your free page
- 5
Dentistry for Children: Dr. Tarver, Dr. Scheps & Dr. Bopp
★★★★★ 4.6 · 536 Google reviews1111 N Parkway Frontage Rd, Lakeland, FL 33803 · 4 of 88 reviews read mention pediatric dentist (≈24 overall) · on 4 of 6 rankings we checked (pedodentbrandon.com, lakelandmom.com, google.com/search) · 2.6 km from downtown
Best for sedation casesspecial needs friendlywait timetooth extractionkind doctorsFour of the 88 reviews we read name pediatric dentistry at this Parkway Frontage Road office, where the draw is in-office sedation for small patients and tongue tie procedures you'd otherwise drive to Tampa for. Reviews split: parents praise the bright, kid-designed rooms and patient bedside manner, while others describe summer waits running well past the appointment time, so ask what the schedule looks like when you book.
Order this: Ask about in-office sedation for young patients
Dentistry for Children: Dr. Tarver, Dr. Scheps & Dr. Bopp Reviews →Own this business? Claim your free page
- 6
iHeartSmiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
★★★★★ 5 · 350 Google reviews5601 Skytop Dr, Lithia, FL 33547, USA · 7 of 73 reviews read mention pediatric dentist (≈34 overall) · on 0 of 6 rankings we checked · 34.7 km from downtown
Best for braces yearsSeven of the 73 reviews we read mention pediatric dentistry, and nearly all of them name Dr. Dana, who reviewers say calms children and explains each step plainly. It's a clean, tech-heavy Lithia office that handles both peds and pediatric ortho, so families with a kid needing a spacer or braces don't restart somewhere new.
Order this: Ask for Dr. Dana; pediatric ortho is in-house
“I recommend this dental practice to anyone looking for an amazing pediatric dentist and also for pediatric ortho”
iHeartSmiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics Reviews →Own this business? Claim your free page
- 7
Dr. Jenny Edwards Lynn
★★★★★ 4.9 · 270 Google reviews11246 Sullivan St, Riverview, FL 33578, USA · 11 of 85 reviews read mention pediatric dentist (≈35 overall) · on 0 of 6 rankings we checked · 37.6 km from downtown
Best for nervous parentsEleven of the 85 reviews we read name pediatric dentistry, and the staff names recur like regulars at a diner: Jody walking kids through the tools, Dr. Mia answering questions, Dr. Katie and Alexus handling fillings pain-free. Disney music overhead, parents welcomed into the room, and a track record with special needs kids who need extra time.
Order this: Ask for Jody; she walks kids through every tool
“Dr. Jenny and her team are in my opinion the best pediatric dentist office I've ever encountered”
Dr. Jenny Edwards Lynn Reviews →Own this business? Claim your free page
- 8
The Family Dentist/Dr. Mariela Lung
★★★★★ 4.8 · 17 Google reviews5055 S Lakeland Dr, Lakeland, FL 33813 · 1 of 12 reviews read mention pediatric dentist (≈1 overall) · on 2 of 6 rankings we checked (deltadental.com, pedodentbrandon.com) · 4.9 km from downtown
Best for fearful patientskind stafffriendly staffpainless procedureswelcoming atmosphereThe smallest practice on this list, with one of the 12 reviews we read touching on pediatric care, and it comes from a patient who bit a dentist at five and still fears needles. That's the niche on S Lakeland Dr: painless, unhurried work for people who never got the gentle childhood version, in an office longtime patients describe as family.
“I don't remember pediatric dental care back in the day. So now, that fearful child is an adult and this office understands my situation”
The Family Dentist/Dr. Mariela Lung Reviews →Own this business? Claim your free page
- 9
Bright Smiles of Winter Haven
★★★★★ 4.5 · 342 Google reviews1550 1st St S, Winter Haven, FL 33880, USA · 5 of 74 reviews read mention pediatric dentist (≈23 overall) · on 1 of 6 rankings we checked (google.com/search) · 22.8 km from downtown
Best for toddlersFive of the 74 reviews we read mention pediatric dentistry at this First Street South office in Winter Haven, and Dr. Tran gets the credit for being patient with toddlers — one three-year-old cried because she didn't want to leave. Staff remember birthdays and put names on a board; the counterweight in the reviews is billing, with one parent still waiting on an insurance refund, so settle coverage before the visit.
Order this: Ask for Dr. Tran and confirm insurance before the appointment
“We highly recommend Dr. Tran to any family looking for an excellent pediatric dentist”
Bright Smiles of Winter Haven Reviews →Own this business? Claim your free page
If you're choosing between the top three, start with geography and temperament. Pediatric Dentistry of Lakeland - North is the easy default for a first visit and for families who want the treehouse, the chairside TVs and the option to walk back with their kid — it's also the only one of the three inside Polk County on US Hwy 98 N. Abdoney Pediatric Dentistry in Valrico is worth the 30-minute drive if your child has sensory or autism-related needs, or if you've been pushed toward work you weren't sure about, since reviewers keep using the words conservative and unhurried. Harp Pediatric Dentistry on Edgewood is the pick when sedation is on the table and you want it handled close to home with an anesthesiologist, short waits and a parent allowed in the room.