Dr Alexis Ong and her team are dedicated to making every visit a positive experience for children. We focus on building trust from an early age, helping kids feel comfortable and confident about dental care.
We understand the challenges parents face with brushing, flossing, and regular check-ups, so we work alongside you with kindness, patience, and clear explanations your child can understand. Our goal is simple – to keep your child’s smile healthy and set them up for a lifetime of good oral health.
What is kids dental?
Paediatric dentistry, or children’s dentistry, is the services and treatments given to those under the age of 18 for their oral health needs.
By the time your child reaches 2 years of age, you must make an appointment for their first visit with a 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 when 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 dentist. Our friendly 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.
From there, your child will receive standard dental care as they grow. This includes all of the usual treatments and services you would expect as an adult, including:
- Preventive care
- Routine dental cleaning
- Oral examinations
- Dental x-rays
- Fillings
- Orthodontics (plates or braces)
- Extractions
In addition to annual check-ups, it’s important to follow recommendations regarding treatments or procedures for dental issues.
How does kids dental work?
As children grow, their baby teeth will slowly fall out and be replaced by adult teeth. This means there is a lot more change and development than in adult teeth, which is why children need regular check-ups to ensure everything is developing as it should and to treat or avoid problems before they arise.
Common issues with children’s oral health are:
- Tooth decay
- Cavities
- Damage to teeth as a result of accidents
- Thumb sucking/pacifier sucking
- Bad breath
- Gum disease
- Tooth grinding
Young children under the age of five will likely only need visual check-ups and basic cleanings. After the age of five, your dentist will likely suggest moving to x-ray check-ups to keep a better eye on teeth developing under the gum line.
During this time, your dentist will also work with you to encourage good dental hygiene habits at home, including tips and tricks to get your little ones to brush and floss.
Advantages of children’s dentistry
Looking after our children’s health is vital, and their oral health is a big part of that. Here are a few key advantages of paediatric dentistry:
- Maintain good oral health during childhood: Dental pain can be rough, especially for young kids, which is why avoiding issues with regular check-ups and good dental hygiene habits is a good way to ensure great oral health during childhood.
- Set up good habits for life: Taking your child to regular dental visits and teaching them the importance of dental hygiene will help to set them up with good habits and dental health for life.
- Avoid dental problems as an adult: Poor dental health as a child can lead to issues with teeth and gums throughout life, leading to discomfort and expensive treatments during adulthood. Preventative children’s dentistry and a solid, healthy foundation can help to avoid these problems down the track.
- Avoid dental fear: By starting dental visits early, you may be able to avoid the fear that some children (and plenty of adults) have of dentists and dentistry.
Maintaining your child's dental health at home
It is critical to establish healthy dental habits for your children, including brushing sessions at least twice a day for two minutes each session, as well as flossing when age-appropriate after two 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 two years of age. From ages two to eight, children may use a smear of regular children’s toothpaste for brushing their teeth. Additionally, aim for a diet that’s low in sugar, as sugar can cause tooth decay at any age.
Keep in mind that children younger than the age of six will need your assistance to brush their teeth properly. And don't forget to replace toothbrushes every three to four months.
Our goal is to help children develop healthy smiles that will last a lifetime; get in touch with our friendly team and schedule an appointment.
Get the most for your kids
The CDBS provides assistance for basic dental treatment over a two-year period for eligible 2-17 year olds. Children are eligible if they receive Family Tax Benefit A or other relevant Australian Government payments.
Treatment is bulk billed through Medicare. Eligible children pay no out-of-pocket costs.
Making dental visits fun and comfortable
Good oral habits start early, helping children grow up with healthy, happy smiles. At their first appointment, we’ll show your child the right way to brush and floss, and make the visit interactive – they might even help count their teeth in a mirror.
Children’s check-ups are similar to adult visits, but with extra care and patience. Here’s what to expect:
- Friendly introductions to help your child feel at ease
- Parents are welcome to stay in the room
- For younger children, we’ll ask about their health and daily habits
- A gentle oral examination
- X-rays for children over five, if needed
- Appointments usually take around 30 minutes
- Clear explanations so your child understands what’s happening
- Breaks if your child feels nervous or upset
Our aim is to make each visit positive, relaxed, and even a little bit fun.
Frequently asked questions
The cost of a standard children’s check-up will vary in price just as adult treatments do. If you go to a specialist paediatric dentist rather than a standard dentist who offers children’s dentistry, you may be charged extra.
For children who are eligible for Medicare, and receive at least one additional benefit, they may be eligible for CDBS. CDBS provides $1,132 in benefits to be used over two consecutive calendar years.
If you are eligible for CDBS, you will be able to use your benefits and make an appointment immediately with our team. Find out more.
Children can begin to see a regular or paediatric dentist from around the age of one, or when their first tooth comes through if that happens sooner. Your dentist will advise you on when to come back for the next appointment, which could be six months or up to a year.
Yes! We happily welcome your entire family to our practice. Whether you have a toddler or infant who’s seeing us for the first time, or you’re transferring from a different dentist, we’re happy you’re here.
If your pre-teen is a candidate for braces, we can certainly discuss the best options for you. It’s best to meet with us in person to discover what will work for their unique needs. We’ll lay out a plan that straightens their teeth and improves function.
We recommend maintenance checkups and cleans every six months, just as adults do. It’s crucial to stay on track with your child’s dental visits as they grow and develop—we’re able to catch and correct things early rather than waiting for a problem to get larger.
Schedule an appointment today!
Start your child’s dental journey with a team you can rely on for comfort, care, and lasting healthy habits.
