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.
Finding a dentist who truly understands your child’s unique needs can feel overwhelming, especially when sensory sensitivities, developmental differences, or communication challenges make traditional dental environments difficult to handle. Many families in and around Shavano Park spend months searching for a provider with the training, patience, and environment to make dental care a calm and positive experience for their child. The right dental home makes all the difference, and it begins with a team that sees your child as a whole person, not just a set of teeth.
At Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway, we welcome children with special health care needs, including autism spectrum disorder and sensory processing differences. Dr. Christi Wengler is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, bringing board-certified expertise and a deep commitment to gentle, individualized care. Our practice was built with children in mind at every level, from our quiet, private treatment rooms to our unhurried approach that gives your child the time and space they need to feel safe.
Children with developmental differences often face significant obstacles to getting routine dental care. Bright overhead lights, unfamiliar sounds, strong smells, and unexpected touches can trigger real distress for these children. Research has identified difficulty tolerating professional oral care, sensory processing differences, and challenges finding and accessing appropriate dental services as key factors that contribute to poor oral health in children with autism spectrum disorder.
These struggles are more common than many families realize. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, approximately 18.5 percent of U.S. children, or around 13.6 million, had special health care needs in 2017-2018, and dental care was one of the largest areas of unmet need for this population. For families near Shavano Park, our practice offers a genuine solution: specialized pediatric care designed around your child’s experience from the moment you walk through the door.
One of the most impactful ways we support children with special needs is through our thoughtfully designed office environment. Unlike many practices that conduct hygiene appointments in open bay settings, we offer private, quiet rooms where children can receive care away from the noise and stimulation of a shared space. This simple design change can significantly reduce anxiety and help children remain calm and cooperative throughout their visit.
Our team moves at your child’s pace. We take the time to explain every step before it happens, using clear and gentle language that helps children understand what to expect. We believe that sedation dentistry is one tool within a broader range of comfort options, including nitrous oxide, which we consider an anxiolytic rather than sedation. Our goal is always to use the least intervention necessary to create a positive experience, building trust that carries forward into every future visit.
Dr. Wengler’s strategy with special needs dentistry reflects her broader philosophy that oral health is connected to the whole child. Her background in nutritional sciences, which includes a bachelor’s degree in the field, adds a dimension of care that families rarely encounter elsewhere. Diet plays a significant role in cavity prevention, and Dr. Wengler is equipped to offer practical guidance that complements your child’s specific health picture.
For children ages five and older, we also administer pediatric sleep questionnaires at every new patient visit, an approach most offices simply do not take. Sleep quality and airway health are closely tied to oral development, and for children with special needs, identifying these patterns early can be particularly valuable. Our holistic preventive dentistry method means we look at the full picture of how your child is growing and developing, not just the condition of their teeth.
We understand that parents of children with special needs are often their child’s most informed advocates. You know what works and what doesn’t, and you deserve a dental team that listens. At Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway, we prioritize full transparency about every material and method we use. We offer fluoride-free products whenever possible, use PSP plates instead of traditional sensors for X-rays, and present all treatment options clearly so you can make decisions that align with your values and your child’s needs.
As Bexar County’s board-certified pediatric dentist and San Antonio’s first holistic pediatric practice, we have built our model around the idea that parents deserve choices and control over their child’s healthcare. Our restorative dentistry services for children who need additional treatment are delivered with the same calm, minimally invasive approach that defines everything we do.
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.
From fluoride-free alternatives to 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.
Dr. Christi Wengler and our team at Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway are honored to serve families with children of all abilities throughout the Shavano Park area and across Bexar County. Whether your child has a formal diagnosis, a sensory difference, or simply struggles in traditional dental settings, we are here to meet them where they are.
We are an out-of-network practice that accepts assignment of benefits, with membership plans and financing options available through Cherry and CareCredit. When you are ready to take the next step, we invite you to contact our office to schedule your child’s visit. We look forward to becoming your family’s trusted dental home.
When you bring your child to Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway, they’ll be cared for by a board-certified pediatric dentist who believes parents deserve to know exactly what materials and methods are being used in their child’s care.
Dr. Christi Wengler, DDS, is the founder of Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway — San Antonio’s first holistic pediatric dental practice. A San Antonio native and Board Certified Diplomate and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She earned her undergraduate degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin and her DDS from the University of Texas Health San Antonio. She is also a United States Air Force veteran, serving 11 years.
Dr. Wengler is a Certified Lactation Counselor since 2019 and Airway Health Solutions certified provider. She brings a unique combination of advanced pediatric expertise, nutritional science knowledge, and airway-focused orthodontic training to every patient. Her goal is to empower parents with choices and provide gentle, transparent care that supports the child’s complete development.
We understand that choosing out-of-network care is a big decision. That’s why we make it easy to understand your benefits and offer multiple ways to keep your child’s holistic dental care affordable — because the quality of materials in your child’s mouth matters.
We accept and submit claims to all PPO dental insurance plans. Our team helps you maximize your out-of-network benefits so your family receives the highest-quality biocompatible materials and personalized care.
We partner with CareCredit to offer flexible monthly payment plans. Break your child’s treatment into manageable payments with low or no interest options — so cost never stands between your child and the care they need.
No insurance? Our in-house membership plan gives your family affordable access to preventive care and discounted treatments — one simple plan, no surprise bills, and no compromise on quality materials.
Questions about coverage or financing? Call us at (210) 352-9028 — we’re happy to walk you through your options.
Parents choose Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway because they want a practice that listens, explains, and puts their child’s whole-body wellness first. Here’s what San Antonio families are saying.
Whether you’re looking for a second opinion, concerned about what materials are being used in your child’s care, or searching for a dentist who treats the whole child — not just their teeth — you’ve found the right place.
At Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway, every treatment option is presented with full transparency about materials and methods. Because parents deserve choices, and children deserve gentle, holistic care that supports their natural development.
The content on this website has been reviewed by Dr. Christi Wengler, DDS, for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Treatment outcomes vary based on individual needs. Contact Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway at (210) 352-9028 for personalized care or dental emergencies.
