Dentists in Abilene

Before a first visit to an Abilene office, put the dentist's name into the Public License Search run by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE). The same board licenses hygienists, registered dental assistants and dental labs, so you can look up the hygienist too. In the office, look for TSBDE's consumer information sign, which every Texas dental office must post in plain view.

Specialist titles at Abilene dental offices

Texas recognizes 12 specialties: endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, dental public health, oral pathology, oral radiology, oral medicine, dental anesthesiology and orofacial pain. A practice must not suggest its general dentists are specialists. Because specialty recognition isn't printed on the license certificate, ask which program the dentist completed; dentists can ask TSBDE to add an accredited specialty certificate to their licensing record.

What an Abilene hygienist can do

A Texas hygienist cleans and polishes teeth, smooths root surfaces, takes X-rays, applies fluoride and can give local anesthetic under a dentist's authorization. A hygienist can't diagnose, prescribe or cut tissue. For a hygienist to clean your teeth, the dentist must have examined you within the past 12 months, though the dentist needn't be in the building.

Delta Dental publishes national averages, and none of them is specific to Abilene. Without benefits, a standard cleaning runs $85 to $160 (no data year given). Fillings in 2024 data: tooth-colored $145 to $480 for front teeth and $165 to $530 for back teeth, silver amalgam $110 to $455. An out-of-network crown runs $1,100 to $2,000 (2023 data). Your dentist decides what treatment you need, and these figures aren't dental advice.

Get each fee on a written treatment plan. TSBDE doesn't take fee disputes; its restitution power is limited to out-of-pocket treatment costs where care fell below the standard. More on costs and coverage is in the Texas dentists guide.

Texans 20 and younger on Medicaid or CHIP mostly get dental care through DentaQuest, MCNA Dental or UnitedHealthcare Dental. Call Texas Health Steps at 1-877-THSTEPS (1-877-847-8377), Monday through Friday, to find a dentist who takes your plan.

Adults without coverage can try 2-1-1 (211Texas.org) and federally qualified health centers, some of which offer dental services. Texas's four dental school clinics, which charge less for supervised student care, are in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and El Paso; none is in Abilene. If a large treatment plan makes the trip worth it, UT Health San Antonio's student clinic charges about 60% less than private practice for adults after a $50 screening, though appointments take two to three times longer, and Texas A&M in Dallas screens adults for $120, with no fee if you aren't accepted. For an older relative who can't travel, ask whether a hygienist works under a supervising dentist at nursing homes or in patients' homes, which Texas allows.

TSBDE investigates quality of care, sanitation, professional conduct and patient abandonment. Send its complaint form by email to complaints@tsbde.texas.gov, by fax or by mail; it doesn't accept anonymous complaints.

About 72% of Texans drink water with adjusted or natural fluoride. Abilene's water comes from the city's lakes, so ask the City of Abilene water department about fluoride if your dentist raises it. This page is general information, not dental advice; ask a licensed dentist about your own treatment.

See also dentists in San Angelo, the Abilene local guide, and our terms of service for how the list above is ordered.