A child who is comfortable at the dentist becomes an adult who keeps going. That is really the whole job of a children’s appointment, and it is why we never rush a first visit.
Our team is registered as a paediatric provider on our Google listing for a reason. George and Cathy have between them spent five decades looking after children, and both know that the visit where nothing happens except a ride in the chair and a count of the teeth is often the most important one.
What we look after
- First visits from around the time the first teeth appear
- Checkups, gentle cleans and fluoride treatment
- Fissure sealants to protect the deep grooves in new adult molars
- Tooth coloured fillings for baby and adult teeth
- Mouthguards for junior football, netball, hockey and basketball
- Advice on thumb sucking, grinding and when to think about braces
A first visit, step by step
- 1Meet the chair
Your child sits in the chair, sees it go up and down, and meets the little mirror. Nothing happens that we have not explained first.
- 2Count the teeth
We count out loud, which turns the examination into a game. Most children are completely relaxed by this point.
- 3A gentle polish
If they are happy, a polish with a flavour they pick. If they are not, we leave it for next time. There is no benefit in forcing it.
- 4A word with you
We talk to you about brushing, snacks, drinks and anything you have noticed, while your child chooses a sticker.
Children’s Dentistry questions
When should my child first see a dentist?
The general guidance in Australia is by the child’s first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth appearing. Early visits are short and mostly about familiarity rather than treatment.
Is my child eligible for free dental?
Many children are. The Child Dental Benefits Schedule covers eligible children aged 0 to 17 for up to $1,132 of dental care over two calendar years. Ring us with your Medicare card and we can check eligibility for you in a minute.
What if my child is scared?
Then we go slower. We have never had a good outcome from pushing a frightened child through treatment, so we build trust across a few short visits instead. Parents are welcome to stay in the room the whole time.
Do baby teeth really matter if they fall out anyway?
Yes. They hold space for the adult teeth, they are needed for eating and speech, and decay in a baby tooth can be genuinely painful and can affect the adult tooth forming underneath it.
