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Call us 9755 7700 or 0412 117 050
Children's Dentistry
(Paediatrics)
We create supportive environments for children to develop healthy mouths that will follow them into adulthood
Child Dental Benefit Scheme (CDBS)
Our clinic accepts bulk billing through the Child Dental Benefits Scheme for eligible kids.
Children between the ages of 2-17 years can spend $1013 for general dental services over a cycle of two calendar years (if they are eligible). This is covered by the Australian government so kids can have better access to dental services.
Once the cycle is finished, any leftover funding from that period can no longer be used and does not rollover to the next cycle.
Our receptionists can help check your eligibility a few days before your appointment. Otherwise you can call Medicare on 132 011 or go to their website for more information.
Their First Dental Visit
When should kids start seeing a dental professional?
We love seeing kids from the day their teeth pop up!
Having regular appointments are for more than just checking teeth for younger children. Kids usually need more time and consistency to adjust to new environments and people. The more frequently the child visits, the more comfortable they will feel and understand that dental clinic is place they can trust.
We encourage 6-12 monthly appointments for kids under 6 years old and 6 monthly appointments for kids over 6 years old.
Sometimes an assessment is beneficial for babies or toddlers with other issues going on. Babies who have trouble latching on during breastfeeding may have an issue with their tongue or kids that are missing their dental milestones may have unknown underlying health conditions.
For some children it can help to see their parents or a sibling in the dental chair a few times before they have their first appointment, so we encourage families to book appointments together to support the little ones with their first few visits.
Our caring and experienced team can help anxious children regain confidence in the dental setting
Developmental Concerns
There are many other conditions that can go unnoticed that will impact a child's oral health as they grow older.
It is valuable to be aware of the signs that show the possibility of a developmental condition. The sooner they are addressed the better the outcome will be for the child to lead a fulfilling life.
If the teeth, jaws and surrounding muscles are poorly developed it may lead to:
Poor breathing and airflow
Palate and jaw malformation
Loss of jaw space
Speech impediments
Restlessness, Cognitive impairment
Poor concentration that may affect school performance
Some common signs that are used to assess their risk include:
Thumb sucking
Tongue thrust
Tongue tie
Mouth breathing
Snoring
Grinding
Our dental providers can assess and help manage developmental conditions that may restrict your child from achieving their full potential
How do we create an enjoyable and special visit for Kids?
Children view the world differently to adults, so we try to see it from their point of view.
Our team's 'kid friendly' language will help make new treatments or equipment less intimidating and more understandable for developing minds. For younger or more anxious children, we try to discourage the use of words that the child may think of as threatening such as 'needle' or 'pull your tooth out' and replace them with more likeable phrases. It is helpful for parents and carers to be mindful of how these terms are used as well.
Some children need more time to become familiar with the dental clinic so may require multiple appointments before they accept new procedures and routines. This is especially true for children who are new to the clinic, anxious or have had upsetting experiences of the dental setting in the past.
Rather than pushing the child to complete any treatment that needs to be done, our clinicians like to reassure them that they will be ok with words of encouragement and small gifts at the end of the appointnent.
During appointments, our clinicians can teach kids about the best ways to keep their mouths healthy well into adulthood. The sooner they understand good brushing and eating habits the lower the likelihood they will suffer from oral health diseases throughout their lifetime.
