Finding a good dentist for your child is one of the most useful things you can do for their long-term oral health. The habits and attitudes they form about the dentist in childhood tend to stick with them for life. At Dentist Pymble, we see children of all ages at our practice, and the conversations we have with parents are almost always about when to start, what to expect, and how to make the experience a positive one. This page covers when kids should first see the dentist, what a children’s dentist does, the most common problems and how to prevent them, and the cost picture for families in the Ku-ring-gai area.

When should my child first see the dentist?

The Australian Dental Association recommends a child’s first dental visit by their first birthday, or within 6 months of the first tooth appearing, whichever comes first. That sounds early, but the first visit at this age is mostly about parent education (feeding, cleaning, fluoride) and getting the child comfortable with the environment. The actual examination is short and gentle.

After the first visit, the right rhythm depends on the child’s risk. For most children, a check-up every 6 months is enough. For children with higher risk (enamel defects, early decay, developmental issues), the dentist may recommend 3-4 monthly reviews. The earlier we see a child, the more we can do preventively, and the less likely they are to need fillings or extractions later.

What does a children’s dentist do?

A children’s dentist does a lot more than just check for cavities. The scope includes:

• Routine check-ups and cleans — gentle examination, scale and clean if needed, fluoride application
• Preventive treatments — fissure sealants, fluoride varnish, oral hygiene coaching
• Fillings and restorations — for primary (baby) and permanent teeth, using materials appropriate for the age
• Extractions — when a baby tooth needs to come out (extensive decay, infection, orthodontic reasons)
• Pulpotomy and pulp therapy — for primary teeth with deep decay that has reached the nerve
• Space maintainers — to hold space for the permanent tooth when a baby tooth is lost early
• Orthodontic assessment — monitoring the developing bite and intervening early when needed
• Trauma management — for knocked-out, chipped, or displaced teeth
• Habit counselling — thumb-sucking, dummy use, diet

The right combination depends on the child’s age, their risk level, and what the parent wants to focus on. We will always tailor the visit to the child in front of us.

Common children’s dental problems (and how to prevent them)

The most common problems we see in children are:

• Early childhood caries (baby bottle decay) — driven by sugary drinks in bottles, frequent snacking, and inadequate brushing. Highly preventable with the right feeding and cleaning habits from the start.
• Decay in permanent molars — common in the 6-12 age group as the new adult teeth come through. Fissure sealants and good brushing prevent most of it.
• Dental trauma — falls, sports, and playground incidents are the main causes. Mouthguards for sport and good supervision for younger kids reduce the risk.
• Orthodontic issues — crowding, crossbites, and overbites that emerge as the jaw and teeth develop. Early assessment can identify them before they become harder to treat.

For most of these, prevention is much easier than treatment. The combination of good home care, the right diet, regular check-ups, and fissure sealants on the permanent molars prevents the vast majority of childhood dental problems.

Fissure sealants for kids

Fissure sealants are a thin protective coating painted onto the chewing surface of the back teeth, where the deep grooves are most prone to decay. The sealant fills the grooves and creates a smooth surface that is much easier to clean. It is quick, painless, and one of the most effective preventive treatments we have, reducing the risk of decay in those teeth by up to 80% in the first two years.

The right time to seal a tooth is shortly after it comes through the gum, before decay has had a chance to start. For most children, that means sealing the first permanent molars around age 6 and the second permanent molars around age 12. The treatment is included in the preventative dentistry service at our Pymble practice and is one of the first things we recommend for children at higher risk of decay.

Orthodontic assessment for children

The Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic assessment for children around age 7-10, when the adult teeth are starting to come through and the bite is developing. Most children do not need treatment at this age, but for those who do, early intervention can prevent more complex treatment later. We can assess the developing bite at the routine check-up and refer to an orthodontist when needed.

Common early interventions include expansion to correct a narrow upper jaw, a habit appliance to break a thumb-sucking habit, or selective extraction of a baby tooth to guide the adult tooth into a better position. None of these is needed for most children, but for the right child at the right time, they make a real difference.

Tips for preparing kids for the dentist

The single biggest predictor of a positive first visit is parental attitude. Kids pick up on how the parent feels about the dentist, and anxiety travels both ways. The most useful tips:

• Start early — the younger the child is at the first visit, the less likely they are to have preconceptions about what’s going to happen.
• Use positive language — describe the visit as “counting teeth” or “polishing teeth” rather than “drilling” or “needles.” Avoid words like “shot” or “hurt.”
• Read books or watch shows — there are excellent children’s books and shows about first dental visits that set the right expectations.
• Don’t bribe — using treats as a reward for good behaviour at the dentist sends the message that the visit is something to be endured.
• Schedule well — young children do best earlier in the day, when they are rested and not hungry.

What does children’s dentistry cost in Pymble?

For families with eligible children, the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) provides up to $1,095 over two calendar years for basic dental services including check-ups, cleans, fissure sealants, fillings, and extractions. Eligibility is means-tested and administered through Medicare, and we can check eligibility on the day. For families not eligible for CDBS, the cost of children’s dentistry is generally affordable. Check-ups and cleans are at the lower end, fissure sealants and small fillings in the middle, and more complex treatment (orthodontics, restorations under sedation) at the top. We will always provide a written quote before any treatment starts and talk through the options with you.

If you live in Pymble, Gordon, Turramurra, Wahroonga or anywhere else in the Ku-ring-gai area and you have a child who needs a check-up, call our practice. We see neighbouring Gordon patients and other nearby residents, and we make the first visit a positive one.

Frequently asked questions

At what age should my child first see the dentist? The first visit is recommended by age 1 or within 6 months of the first tooth appearing, whichever comes first. After that, every 6 months is the usual rhythm unless your dentist recommends otherwise.

Is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule available at your practice? Yes. We bulk-bill eligible children under CDBS for the covered services. We can check your child’s eligibility on the day using your Medicare card.

Does my child need fissure sealants? Most children benefit from fissure sealants on their permanent molars, particularly if they are at higher risk of decay. The dentist will assess the groove pattern and the child’s risk level and recommend accordingly.

What if my child is scared of the dentist? Tell us in advance. We are very experienced with anxious children and have a range of techniques to make the visit comfortable, including Tell-Show-Do, desensitisation visits, and (when needed) happy gas or oral sedation. The earlier we see an anxious child, the more options we have.

How often should my child see the dentist? For most children, every 6 months. For children at higher risk of decay, every 3-4 months may be recommended. The dentist will tell you what is right for your child.