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Childrens Dentistry

At About Smiles, providing a caring and friendly environment for children is an important part of what we do and offer. This is because we understand how important keeping your kids healthy is and how difficult it can sometimes be to get them to cooperate with good oral hygiene practices. It’s why we take our role as children’s dentists seriously — but not so seriously that we can’t have a little fun and make your child’s experience a positive one.

Why your child should attend a children’s dental centre

Finding a qualified children’s dentist helps put your child on the path to having great oral hygiene habits as they grow up. Children need to learn about oral care; sometimes, they aren’t the best at following their parents’ advice. By partnering with a children’s dentist in Sydney, you can teach your kids healthy habits from the get-go.

Children also have different needs than adults, so finding a children’s dentist who works well with young kids is a must. They know what they are looking for when performing childhood screenings, including:

  • Evaluations of how teeth are coming in and growth patterns
  • Discussions with older kids on eating and drinking properly
  • Education on what to do in a dental emergency
  • How to brush and floss correctly
  • Prevention and treatment of tooth decay

Partner with a Sydney children’s dentistry centre, so your child has optimal oral care growing up.

If your child is apprehensive about visiting the dentist for the first time or needs regular checkups that are friendly and positive, then at About Smiles, we can help. Our clinic provides a warm and reassuring environment designed to help your child feel comfortable and relaxed when they visit and ease any nervousness and anxiety. Additionally, among our staff is an experienced specialist children’s dentist (Dr. Caroline Chung), so we are fully capable of providing the care your child needs.

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The children’s specialist

We work hard to give you and your child a positive experience at our office, and that’s why we have a paediatric specialist on hand who has additional training focusing on the needs of infants and children through adolescence.

Our children’s dentists in Sydney work with kids regularly and can help with most of your main dental concerns. Our paediatric specialist can assist if your child needs extensive oral rehabilitation or a dental management program for a specific issue.

By keeping your child in the same office with people your family has come to trust, you can ease their fears and worries, and as a parent, you know your child is in good hands.

Tips to get your kids started with good oral care

Through the years, our children’s dentistry team has learned a lot about kids and their needs. Here are a few tips to get you started on oral care at home:

  • If you give a bottle or sippy cup at bedtime or naptime, use water only. Sleeping with juice or milk can lead to tooth decay.
  • Start working on weaning your child from the bottle early, between 12 and 14 months.
  • Pacifiers and thumb sucking are normal, but after teeth start to come in, try to get rid of the pacifiers and limit the thumb sucking.
  • Limit sugary snacks and juices, especially when kids don’t brush their teeth yet.
  • Make sure your kids are getting the proper amounts of fluoride when teeth start coming in.

Get in touch with our kids’ smile dentists at the best children’s dentistry in Sydney

At About Smiles, our team is all about your kid’s smiles every day. Whether your child is coming in for their very first checkup or they have a toothache, we’ll make their visit fun and work hard to keep a smile on their face.

While we’re keeping them smiling, you can slip in for your checkup as well or schedule an appointment for a major treatment you’ve been putting off. Our team will give both you and your child the best care possible.

Get in touch with us and schedule your appointment at one of our three Sydney children’s dentistry locations — Chatswood, Zetland, and Eastgardens. Start living your best life!

FAQs

Does About Smiles have a children’s dentistry specialist?

Dr. Caroline Chung is our resident specialist in children’s dentistry. Gentle, compassionate and highly skilled, she has more than ten years of experience caring for children and their teeth! Her specialties include dental trauma emergencies, early childhood decay and surgical management of impacted or supernumerary teeth. She also has experience in managing the oral health of children with special needs and anxieties, so you can rest assured that your child is in good hands. Find out more about what our paediatric specialist can do to help your child and keep their oral hygiene intact.

How do I book a dentist for my children?

Dr. Chung currently consults at our children’s dental centre in Chatswood. You can either give us a ring on (02) 9415 3555, send us an email at chatswood@aboutsmiles.com.au or book an appointment online.

Do I have to pay for my children’s dentist in Sydney?

If your family is eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) or you have Medicare, you don’t have to pay out-of-pocket.

The CDBS is a program provided by the Australian government that covers the most basic dentistry for children in Sydney, with up to $1,095 in benefits over two consecutive calendar years. This includes everything from cleanings and fillings, and extractions (when necessary) to some X-rays, depending on what they need.

To qualify for the CDBS, a child or young person must meet two criteria:

  • They must be aged 17 years and under
  • Family is a beneficiary of Family Tax Benefit Part A or any relevant Australian government payment

You can learn more about the CDBS by visiting the NSW Health page. You can also send us a message, and we can answer any enquiries you may have.

What does a children’s dentist do for a 2-year-old?

It’s a great idea to bring your child in for a dental visit when they’re as young as two years old — the earlier they get introduced to children’s dentistry, the easier it will be for you to encourage good oral health habits.

On their first visit at this age, our dentist will do mostly general services:

  • Full exam of their teeth, bite and gums
  • Check for any abnormal growth and development
  • Gentle cleaning, including polishing the teeth and removing any plaque or tartar

The staff at our Sydney children’s dentistry can also show your child how to properly brush their teeth and floss correctly to prevent future concerns. An ideal first visit is one where your child doesn’t have any significant dental problems, so we can take our time to get to know them and ensure they feel comfortable and relaxed.

Learn more about what to expect on your child’s first dental visit.

What is the youngest age to go to the dentist?

You should bring your child to a children’s dentist for the first time when they are about a year old or within about 6 months of getting their first tooth. The sooner you introduce your child to the dentist, the more comfortable they will be in the future. This visit will mostly be an introduction and, if the child is comfortable, a brief examination to check on their bite and other minor items.

Why do children go to the dentist?

Some kids have their first cavity before the age of five, and while they will lose these baby teeth, the cavity can affect the development of their permanent teeth. Since going to the dentist is a lifelong activity, it’s best to get your kids used to the idea early so they can keep healthy teeth as they age.

What does a dentist mean for kids?

When kids are young, a children’s dentist will poke and prod a bit, so they will get used to who the dentist is and what they do. But the most important thing the dentist will do is to help teach your children about how important it is for them to take care of their teeth and oral health. They will talk with them about brushing and flossing so they understand how to keep their teeth clean and healthy.

Why is oral healthcare so important in childhood?

The habits your children develop at a young age will stay with them for a lifetime. If your kids grow up learning to brush and floss and see the dentist regularly, these habits will continue into adulthood.

Why is it important to fix baby teeth?

Baby teeth are an important part of children growing up. These teeth serve to help your children learn the basics of speech patterns and eating. If teeth are not functioning as they should, your child could have a speech impediment growing up or learn to eat in ways that will affect their permanent teeth later.

These teeth also help keep space, so there is no crowding of teeth when the permanent teeth come in later.

An unfixed or unhealthy tooth can cause decay to spread and create abscesses and infections and can turn quite painful for your child. If your kid has a tooth that isn’t looking as it should or is complaining about pain in their mouth, bring them to our children’s dentistry clinic so we can do an exam and ensure there are no complications.

What are some reasons to take kids to the dentist?

Many of the reasons you should take your children to the dentist are the same as the reasons you’d go. Preventing cavities is important at any age, and since children tend not to brush as thoroughly as adults, they are also more susceptible to cavities.

Going to a children’s dentist also helps with proper oral hygiene and helps preserve natural teeth. By protecting baby teeth, you’re giving the permanent teeth a chance to develop properly. Children who see the dentist at a younger age are also less likely to need restorative treatments as they grow older since their teeth are well cared for.

What if my child is scared or nervous?

Let your child know what to expect before they come to the dentist. Talk with them and tell them that the dentist will look at their smile and teeth. Bring their favourite comfort item, stuffed animal, or toy so they have something familiar to play with while undergoing treatment.

Children first dental visit at About Smiles Dental Centres

First Dental Visit

About Smiles Dental Centres - Children Dentistry

Regular Check-Ups

About Smiles Dental Centres - Pedriatic Specialist

Paediatric Specialist

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Early Interceptive
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About Smiles Dental Centres - children friendly facility

Our Child Friendly
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Smile, eat and speak without trouble again!

Our Child Friendly Facility

Not only do we have the latest in dental technology to deliver the highest standard of simple and advanced dental care, we have a lovely dedicated kids’ area in our Chatswood surgery. This area is devoted to providing your children an entertaining and positive space to wait for their appointment and learn more about the importance of good dental hygiene. The area has access to colouring books, kids’ TV, toys and more – so their experience of the dentist will be positive and your waiting time easier.

Additionally we offer sedation options for patients who may be nervous about treatment. Our team also have a reassuring bedside manner to ensure your comfort when you visit our clinics.

Tips to Take Home

Good oral hygiene, as we’re sure you know, starts with positive and regular habits. By starting your kids early you can help them establish these habits that will continue for the rest of their life and make the trips they do have to take to the dentist simpler.

From the age of two a child can begin brushing their teeth with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste, supervising to ensure they don’t swallow. It’s advisable to have them brush their teeth twice a day for around two minutes each time. Making sure they not only get the top and front of each tooth, but the backs, gum-lines and tongue too.

When it comes to flossing, as soon as two teeth sit side-by-side in their mouth and touch your child can begin. Be careful to make sure they use the correct technique, a gentle up and down motion between each gap is enough. If you can get them into a habit of flossing once a day, perhaps before bed, it can go a long way towards preventing cavities and complications.

About Smiles in the Community

About Smiles is active in the community, visiting local schools to promote good oral health with what we call ‘Tooth Fairy Days’. On these ‘Tooth Fairy Days’ we teach kids the importance of dental hygiene and the connection it has to their overall health and wellbeing. With each school visit the kids get to take home a ‘Build a Lifetime of Smiles’ kit to encourage good oral health habits.

About Smiles has also provided resources and support the Cancer Council and other charities.

Where to find us

With 5 convenient locations, you'll be sure to find an About Smiles Dental Centre near you!

Chatswood

Phone: 02 9415 3555
Address: 2/63A Archer Street, Chatswood NSW 2067
Email:
chatswood@aboutsmiles.com.au

Eastgardens

Phone: 02 8488 9994
Address: 229/152 Bunnerong Road, Eastgardens NSW 2036
Email:
eastgardens@aboutsmiles.com.au

Zetland

Phone: 02 9313 6388
Address: 4/6 Defries Avenue, Zetland NSW 2017
Email:
zetland@aboutsmiles.com.au

Crows Nest

Phone: (02) 8622 3900
Address: Suite 103, Level 1, 22 Clarke Street Crows Nest NSW, 2065
Email:
crowsnest@aboutsmiles.com.au

Circular Quay Dental Cosmetics

Phone: (02) 8319 2323
Address: Ground Floor, Shop LCC125
17 Young St Circular Quay 2000
Email:
quay@aboutsmiles.com.au