Children's Dentistry

At National Dental Care, we understand the importance of maintaining a child's oral hygiene and regular visits to a Paediatric Dentist. We also understand children are often hesitant and fearful of medical-related experiences, whether it is a visit to the dentist or the doctor.

When it comes to the dental health of your child, they must have someone who explains procedures and processes in a friendly manner. Our team at National Dental Care is experienced and knowledgeable in all aspects of children's dentistry. At our family-friendly practices, we work hard to ensure that your child's experience is a positive and reassuring one. Both parents and their children must be comfortable with our office, environment, and staff.

Your child's first dental visit

By the time your child reaches 2 years of age, you must make an appointment for their first visit with a children's dentist. There may be some rare circumstances that would warrant a visit to a dental provider before this age, but for most children, this is the age where their official dental care begins.

On their first visit to the practice, this will be an opportunity for your child to become acquainted with the dental chair, environment, staff, and their dentist. The dentist will perform a visual examination of your child's teeth, as well as address any concerns or identify any possible future issues. You and your child will also have the opportunity to ask any questions and the dental staff will instruct you both on proper dental hygiene at home. 

Your child's dental care through adulthood

You need to maintain your child's dental care each year, from the age of 2, for a full dental check-up and clean. Around the age of 5, your dentist may recommend annual dental x-rays for a more in-depth evaluation of your child's dental health.

In addition to annual check-ups, you must follow recommendations regarding treatments or procedures for dental issues. It's also important to follow up with their appointments, which may be more frequent when addressing ongoing issues with your child's dental health.

Common dental issues in paediatric dental patients

• Tooth decay
• Cavities
• Damage to teeth as a result of accidents
• Thumb sucking/pacifier sucking
• Bad breath
• Gum disease
• Tooth grinding

Children's dental services

We offer a variety of paediatric dental services to meet the needs of our young patients such as:

• Preventive care
• Routine dental cleaning
• Oral examinations
• Dental x-rays
• Fillings
• Orthodontics (plates or braces)
• Extractions

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule

We understand that dental procedures and treatments can often be an unexpected expense, and a higher cost than most parents are expecting. For children who are eligible for Medicare, and receive at least one additional benefit, they may be eligible for CDBS. CDBS benefits and payments can be used to pay for specified treatments at a private dentist. CDBS provides $1,000 in benefits to be used over two consecutive calendar years, for basic dental services inclusive of dental examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, and extractions. If you are eligible for CDBS, you will be able to use your benefits and make an appointment immediately with our Children's Dentistry Team.

Maintaining your child's dental health at home

It is critical to establish healthy dental habits for your children, this includes daily brushing sessions at least twice a day for 2 minutes each session, as well as flossing when age-appropriate after 2 years old. For young babies, use a cloth to clean their gums and when their teeth begin to appear, use a specially designed toothbrush for infants to keep their teeth healthy and clean.

Do not use any toothpaste until 18 months of age, at which time you may use a pea-size amount of children's toothpaste with low fluoride until 2 years of age. Beginning at age 2, through to 8 years of age, children may use a smear of regular toothpaste for brushing their teeth.

Keep in mind that children younger than the age of 6 will need your assistance to brush their teeth properly. And don't forget to replace toothbrushes every 3 to 4 months.

Make an appointment for your child

At National Dental Care, our team of experienced and professional Paediatric Dentists are here to ensure that your children's dental needs are met through our various dental services. Contact us to make an appointment for your child.