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.
At Wellness Pediatric Dentistry, we believe every child deserves exceptional dental care, regardless of their developmental, physical, or behavioral challenges. Dr. Wengler’s extensive experience caring for children with autism, sensory processing disorders, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other special healthcare needs allows us to provide individualized treatment that respects each child’s unique requirements while achieving optimal oral health outcomes.
Our practice is designed to accommodate children with diverse needs through flexible scheduling, sensory-friendly environments, modified treatment approaches, and extensive family communication. We understand that children with special needs often require more time, patience, and creativity to receive dental care comfortably, and we’re committed to providing exactly that level of personalized attention.
Children with special needs often face multiple healthcare challenges that can significantly impact their oral health. Dr. Wengler’s holistic approach considers how medications, medical conditions, dietary restrictions, and behavioral factors affect dental health while working closely with families and other healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive, coordinated care.
Our team recognizes that successful dental care for special needs children requires building trust, understanding individual communication styles, and adapting our approaches to meet each child exactly where they are developmentally and emotionally. We celebrate small victories and progress at every level, creating positive dental experiences that support lifelong oral health and confidence.
Children with autism often have unique sensory needs and communication styles that require specialized dental approaches:
Autism-Specific Accommodations:
Treatment Modifications:
Family-Centered Planning:
Children with sensory processing differences require careful attention to environmental factors and treatment approaches:
Sensory Accommodations:
Modified Treatment Techniques:
Children with intellectual disabilities benefit from clear communication, patience, and approaches adapted to their developmental level:
Developmental Accommodations:
Support Strategies:
Children with physical disabilities or complex medical conditions require specialized accommodations and safety considerations:
Physical Accommodations:
Medical Coordination:
Every aspect of care is customized to meet your child's unique sensory, communication, physical, and medical needs, ensuring comfortable and successful dental experiences.
We work closely with your child's entire healthcare team, including therapists, specialists, and educators, to provide seamlessly integrated care that supports their overall wellness.
Our commitment extends beyond individual appointments to provide ongoing support, education, and advocacy as your child grows and their needs evolve over time.
Our practice environment is specifically designed to accommodate children with sensory sensitivities and special needs:
Physical Environment Features:
Comfort Amenities:
Full accessibility ensures every child can receive care comfortably and safely:
Universal Access:
We accommodate diverse communication needs and styles:
Communication Strategies:
Behavioral Support Techniques:
Successful special needs dental care requires strong family partnerships:
Family Involvement:
Educational Support:
Many medications used by children with special needs can significantly impact oral health:
Common Medication Effects:
Management Strategies:
Children with seizure disorders require specialized safety protocols:
Seizure Safety Measures:
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.
As children with special needs grow, their care requirements evolve:
Developmental Transitions:
Ongoing education and support help families provide optimal home care:
Family Resources:
We support families in accessing community resources and advocating for comprehensive care:
Community Connections:
We use visual schedules, social stories, and gradual desensitization to help children with autism prepare for visits. We encourage families to visit our office before the appointment, provide detailed information about what to expect, and work with your child’s behavioral therapists to develop strategies that support successful dental experiences.
Absolutely. Our office is fully wheelchair accessible with wide doorways, accessible parking, and treatment areas designed to accommodate mobility devices. We can transfer children to our dental chairs when appropriate or provide treatment in their wheelchairs if that’s more comfortable and safe.
We have extensive experience helping children who struggle with cooperation. We use modified techniques, shorter appointments, sedation options when appropriate, and sometimes general anesthesia options for complex needs. Every approach is individualized based on your child’s specific challenges and capabilities.
Yes, coordination with your child’s entire healthcare team is essential for optimal care. We communicate with physicians, therapists, educators, and other specialists to ensure our dental care integrates seamlessly with their overall health management and supports their comprehensive well-being.
We use positive behavior support techniques, environmental modifications, and individualized approaches based on each child’s needs. We’re patient, flexible, and always prioritize your child’s comfort and emotional well-being over completing treatment quickly. Building trust and positive experiences is our primary goal.
For children with significant special needs requiring extensive treatment, we can coordinate comprehensive care under oral conscious sedation or general anesthesia. This allows us to complete multiple procedures safely and comfortably while minimizing the stress of repeated appointments and ensuring optimal oral health outcomes.
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.
