How can we help you?
It's common to have questions about your little one's oral health, and we're happy to answer them!
We've compiled a list of the queries we hear most from parents and provided answers. However, if you don't find the information you need here, please don't hesitate to contact our dental clinic on (02)95318488 to speak with a helpful team member.
General
It is essential to understand the intricacies of dental coverage in Australia. While Medicare generally does not cover most dental services, the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) provides a notable exception for eligible children and teenagers.
However, it is crucial to recognise that certain limitations apply. Some dental procedures are not covered under this scheme, nor are services provided in a hospital setting. Eligibility for the CDBS is determined exclusively by Medicare. Once a child is deemed eligible at any point during a calendar year, they retain that eligibility for the entirety of that year.
Health Fund Coverage
We also work with all health funds, and we're happy to help families determine what their individual out-of-pocket expenses will be based on their specific health fund coverage. Our team works closely with parents to help them comfortably fit their child's dental care into their budgets.
For more comprehensive information regarding coverage and eligibility with CDBS or your health fund, it is advisable to consult with the knowledgeable staff at Southside Paediatric Dentistry or your local Medicare office.
Our team is happy to discuss your payment options when you call us on (02) 9531 8488.
First Visit & Dental Home for 0-18 years
At our dental practice, we typically reserve initial consultations for a comprehensive examination and treatment planning rather than immediately proceeding with any dental procedures.
This approach enables our dentists to thoroughly examine your child's teeth and mouth to evaluate their overall dental health and identify any potential issues that require attention. Following the examination, we will have an in-depth consultation with you about our findings and any recommended treatment plans.
We prioritise creating a comfortable and relaxed environment for our young patients. By focusing on examination and discussion during the initial consultation, we aim to help children feel at ease in the dental setting before proceeding with any treatments.
In Case of a Dental Emergency
However, we recognise that dental emergencies can occur. In such cases, our dentists are prepared to provide the necessary treatment to alleviate pain and stabilise the situation during the first visit.
We aim to establish a positive relationship with your child and ensure you have all the information needed to make informed decisions about their dental care. We welcome any questions you may have during this consultation process.
Our paediatric dental clinic is dedicated to providing comprehensive oral health care for young people throughout their formative years. We offer specialised treatment for patients from infancy through adolescence, with our services typically extending to age eighteen.
This age range allows us to support your child's dental health journey from their first tooth to their final year of secondary school. During this time, we focus on preventative care, early intervention, and treating any dental issues that may arise as your child grows and develops.
Our team of experienced paediatric dentists are well-versed in addressing children's unique oral health needs at various stages of development. From managing early childhood caries (decay) to guiding the transition from primary to permanent teeth and even addressing orthodontic concerns in teenagers, we're equipped to handle a wide array of paediatric dental issues.
Extended Care for Special Needs
It's worth noting that for patients with special needs, we often extend our care beyond the age of eighteen. We understand that these individuals may require continued specialised dental attention, and we're committed to providing a supportive and familiar environment for their ongoing oral health care.
Our goal is to ensure that all our young patients receive the highest standard of dental care tailored to their specific needs and developmental stage.
Parents play a key role in helping create a calm and positive experience during dental visits. Your support and encouragement helps your child feel safe and at ease. Our paediatric dental team is here to partner with you in caring for your child’s oral health, and we're always happy to answer questions and provide guidance along the way.
During the examination, we kindly ask that you observe quietly, as young children are easily distracted and often respond to the familiar sound of a parent or guardian’s voice.
Medical/Behavioural Conditions & Special Needs
Yes, our practice is fully equipped and experienced in treating children with complex medical issues. We understand these patients often require specialised care and extra attention, and we are committed to providing it.
Our team consists of board-registered paediatric specialist dentists who have undergone extensive additional training beyond general dentistry. This specialisation equips them with the expertise to manage various complex medical conditions that can impact oral health and dental treatment.
We regularly care for children with various medical complexities, including but not limited to:
- Congenital heart conditions
- Autoimmune diseases
- Neurological disorders
- Developmental delays
- Genetic syndromes
Providing Comprehensive Care for Children
Our specialists work closely with other medical professionals involved in your child's care to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated approach. We are experienced in adapting our treatments and techniques to accommodate each child's unique needs and medical requirements.
We also understand that children with complex medical issues may have heightened anxiety about dental visits. Our team is trained in behaviour management techniques and can provide various sedation options where necessary to ensure your child's comfort and safety during treatment.
Rest assured, we are dedicated to providing the highest standard of dental care for all children, regardless of the complexity of their medical needs.
Preventive Oral Care
Most babies naturally find comfort in sucking their thumb or a dummy, and this habit is completely normal in infants and toddlers. For little ones under age four, dummy or thumb sucking rarely causes dental problems. However, if this habit continues beyond ages 4 to 5, it can start to affect the development of their teeth and jaw.
The Long-Term Effects of Thumb Sucking
Long-term dummy or thumb sucking might cause their front teeth to stick out or protrude, creating an open bite (where the front teeth don't meet when biting) or lead to alignment issues with their teeth and jaw. The intensity of the sucking is often more important than the habit itself, as vigorous sucking tends to cause more problems than gentle sucking.
If your child is still sucking their thumb or dummy after age 5, have a chat with us about gentle ways to help them stop. We can suggest positive strategies that won't upset your little one. Remember, most children naturally give up this habit on their own, so there's usually no need to worry too much in the early years.
Looking after your little one's teeth should begin as soon as their first tooth erupts. Even that single tiny tooth needs care and attention. In fact, you can start even earlier by gently wiping your baby's gums with a clean, damp cloth after feeds to establish good oral hygiene habits.
Infant Oral Care
For those first teeth, use a soft infant toothbrush with just a smear of age-appropriate toothpaste that is safe for your infant to swallow (about the size of a grain of rice). Brush gently in small circular motions, ensuring you clean all surfaces of each tooth. As more teeth appear, maintain this routine twice daily – after breakfast and just before bedtime.
Set the Stage for Success
Remember, teaching good dental habits early prepares your child for a lifetime of healthy smiles. While your baby might initially resist, try to make toothbrushing fun by singing songs or turning it into a game.
As they get older, they can brush their own teeth with your assistance. Allowing them to choose their favourite toothbrush and toothpaste can also enhance the experience.
You'll need to help your little one brush their teeth until they're around 7 or 8 years old, as they won't have the dexterity to clean properly on their own until then.
Dental Restorations
Though baby teeth (or milk teeth) eventually fall out, they play a crucial role in your child's dental development. These temporary teeth serve as natural guides, creating proper pathways for adult teeth to emerge in the correct position. When decay causes a baby tooth to be lost too early, the surrounding teeth can drift into the empty space, leading to crowding and alignment problems when the permanent teeth come through.
Protect Your Child's Smile
Untreated decay can also cause your little one significant pain and discomfort, potentially affecting their eating, speaking and sleeping. In severe cases, dental infections can spread and impact your child's overall health. Moreover, children who develop cavities in their baby teeth are more likely to experience decay in their adult teeth.
Treating decay early can help ensure your child maintains a healthy smile, develops proper eating habits and speech patterns, and builds positive associations with dental care. It's much easier (and more cost-effective) to treat a small cavity than to deal with the consequences of advanced decay.
Being proactive about treating your child's decay also ensures that older children don't miss important school time or miss out on their favourite activities outside of school.
Contact Southside Paediatric Dentistry if you believe your child might suffer from tooth decay.
Sedation & General Anaesthesia
Yes, we offer dental treatment under general anaesthesia for children when necessary. This service is provided in collaboration with specialist anaesthetists in a hospital setting, ensuring the highest standards of safety and care.
Our board-registered paediatric specialist dentists are experienced in performing dental procedures under general anaesthesia. This option is typically considered for:
- Very young children who require extensive dental work
- Children with severe dental anxiety or behavioural challenges
- Patients with special needs who may have difficulty cooperating during standard dental procedures
- Complex dental treatments that are best performed in a single session
Partnering with Parents for the Best Possible Outcomes
The decision to use general anaesthesia is made on a case-by-case basis, considering the child's overall health, dental needs and ability to cope with treatment. Our specialists will thoroughly discuss this option with parents, explaining the benefits and potential risks.
When general anaesthesia is deemed appropriate, we work closely with specialist anaesthetists highly trained in paediatric care. The procedure is conducted in a hospital environment with advanced monitoring systems and emergency facilities.
We understand that the prospect of general anaesthesia can be concerning for parents. Rest assured, our team prioritises your child's safety and comfort throughout the process, from pre-operative assessment to post-operative care and follow-up.
Our goal is to provide comprehensive dental treatment while minimising stress and discomfort for your child, ensuring the best possible outcomes for their oral health.
Yes, we specialise in treating children with severe anxiety and dental phobia. We understand that dental visits can be particularly challenging for these patients, and we're committed to providing a supportive, comfortable environment and tailored treatment approaches.
Our board-registered paediatric specialist dentists are highly experienced in managing dental anxiety in children. We use a range of techniques to help alleviate fear and make dental visits more manageable:
- Behavioural management strategies — We use child-friendly explanations, positive reinforcement and distraction techniques.
- Nitrous oxide sedation — Also known as 'happy gas', this mild sedative helps children relax during treatment while remaining conscious.
- General anaesthesia — For more complex procedures or severely anxious patients, we offer treatment under general anaesthesia in a hospital setting, working alongside specialist anaesthetists.
Personalised Treatment for Positive Outcomes
The choice of approach depends on the child's individual needs, the complexity of the required treatment, and the severity of their anxiety. We'll discuss all available options with you to determine the most appropriate method for your child.
Our team is trained to create a calm, non-threatening atmosphere in our clinic. We take time to build trust with anxious patients, often using a gradual approach to help them become more comfortable with dental procedures over time.
We're committed to helping children overcome their dental fears, ensuring they receive necessary treatment while developing a more positive attitude towards dental care. We aim to set the foundation for good oral health habits that will last a lifetime.
Space Maintainers & Orthodontics
Caring for a space maintainer involves keeping it clean by brushing twice daily and flossing particularly around the stainless-steel band of the space maintainer. Avoid hard, sticky, chewy foods such as muesli bars, minties and toffees. It is important to schedule regular check-ups to monitor the maintainers condition and make necessary adjustments.
In the rare occurrence the space maintainer comes loose or falls out, please do not try to push it back in as this can bend the spacer out of place. Instead, please contact us to schedule an appointment as soon as possible so it can be secured properly.
We recommend your child has regular dental visits so the eruption of the permanent tooth can be monitored. The space maintainer is then removed once the permanent tooth starts to come in and fills the space left by the missing baby tooth.
Space maintainers are designed to be passive appliances, meaning they do not move teeth and should not cause pain or discomfort. With a new space maintainer there may be a slight adjustment period of a few days to a week.