You pay at the time of your visit, and we’ll file your insurance claim for you — your insurance will reimburse you directly based on your plan’s coverage.
Our membership plans make it easy to prioritize your child’s oral health and overall wellness without the stress of insurance limitations or unexpected costs.
We’ll always provide detailed treatment estimates and work with you to find payment solutions that fit your family’s budget and healthcare goals.
Many parents want more say in what goes into their child’s mouth than a standard fluoride protocol allows. When every pediatric office defaults to the same treatment plan, families who prefer a gentler, more transparent approach are often left with more questions than answers about what their child actually needs, and why one product or method was chosen over another. That gap between what a parent wants to understand and what a typical dental visit actually explains is exactly what pushes many families to start looking for a different kind of practice altogether.
At Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway, we built our Castle Hills practice around that exact concern. Dr. Christi Wengler holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences and is a Certified Lactation Counselor who brings that nutrition-first, whole-body perspective into every visit. Her practice does not use fluoride, giving families a truly fluoride-free option for their child’s preventive and restorative care. Every recommendation she makes is paired with a full explanation of the materials and methods involved.
We believe parents deserve full transparency about the materials and methods used in their child’s care, not just a default recommendation handed down without context. That means guiding families through exactly what a treatment involves and why, so they can make an informed decision rather than simply following a routine protocol because it is what every other office happens to offer.
This philosophy extends to how we capture diagnostic images. Instead of digital sensors, our office uses PSP plates for X-rays, which many children find more comfortable, and we favor minimally invasive techniques whenever a situation allows for it. We also lean on fluoride-free sealants as part of our preventive care options, since sealants remain one of the most effective tools available for protecting young teeth regardless of whether fluoride is part of the plan.
In fact, the CDC notes that applying dental sealants to the back teeth prevents 80% of cavities, which makes them a valuable, fluoride-free layer of protection for kids who need it. We choose biocompatible materials wherever possible, and are always happy to fully explain the composition of anything we recommend to parents before it goes anywhere near their child.
Choosing fluoride-free dentistry is rarely about a single ingredient. For most of the families we see, it is about wanting a provider who explains the reasoning behind every recommendation and respects that parents know their child best, especially when it comes to sensitivities, prior reactions, or simply a family’s own research and preferences.
Nutrition plays a central role in that conversation. Since tooth decay is closely tied to diet, our nutritional counseling sessions help parents understand which everyday choices support strong, healthy teeth without relying on fluoride exposure to do the work. We also spend time on the sensory side of care, since many of our fluoride-free families are also looking for a calmer, more predictable visit for a child who finds typical dental offices overwhelming.
A few of the pillars our fluoride-free families tend to value most include:
These all work together, and we regularly revisit them with families as their child grows, their diet changes, and their dental needs evolve over time.
Parents researching fluoride-free dentistry often want to understand the full landscape of alternatives before their child’s next appointment, rather than deciding on the spot during the appointment. We have written in more depth about the fluoride-free alternatives available to San Antonio families, covering options ranging from xylitol-based products to biocompatible restorative materials that can stand in for more conventional choices.
We have also broken down the broader case for fluoride-free dentistry, including how a holistic method can still protect against cavities without relying on fluoride exposure. Reading through both pieces can help parents walk into their consultation with a clearer sense of what questions to ask, which alternatives exist for their child’s specific situation, and which options might fit their family’s preferences best.
A first visit with us starts the same way any good pediatric appointment should, with time spent getting to know your child and understanding your family’s goals and concerns first before any treatment planning begins. During a new patient exam, we review your child’s health history, talk through your preferences around fluoride and other materials, and use that conversation to shape a plan that actually fits your family rather than a generic template for everyone.
From there, we build a preventive schedule around whatever combination of sealants, nutrition guidance, and minimally invasive monitoring makes sense for your child, adjusting as they grow. Since oral health is closely tied to sleep and breathing, we also offer sleep questionnaires for children ages four and up, giving us a fuller picture of your child’s overall development.
Castle Hills is just outside San Antonio, and while it is a small community on its own, our practice serves families from across the surrounding area who are searching for a fluoride-free pediatric dentist they can trust. Our office operates on an out-of-network, hybrid model, and we accept assignment of benefits along with membership plans and financing options to help make care more accessible for the families we serve.
Experience the difference that holistic pediatric care can make for your child. Our comprehensive approach combines gentle techniques with transparent communication to create positive dental experiences that last a lifetime. We’re here to partner with you in supporting your child’s overall health and development through expert oral care.
With airway-focused orthodontics, we offer the choices and expertise your family deserves. Schedule your consultation today and discover how our unique approach can benefit your child’s health and wellness journey.
Every family who walks through our doors deserves a provider who takes the time to explain their options and respects their right to choose what feels right for them. Dr. Wengler’s background in nutritional science, combined with her fluoride-free, holistic philosophy, gives Castle Hills families a real alternative to one-size-fits-all pediatric dental care.
If you are ready to find a fluoride-free pediatric dentist who will partner with you on your child’s care, we would love to meet your family. Contact our office today to schedule a visit and start the conversation about what fluoride-free dentistry can look like for your child.
