Children’s Dental Care at Shenton Park Family Dental
As a parent, you want your child to feel at ease when they visit the dentist’s office. Positive early experiences with dental providers can significantly improve your child’s perception of dental care in the future. Not only do early visits reduce the likelihood of anxiety or phobia, but they also empower your child with the opportunity to avoid otherwise preventable dental diseases.
Who Will My Child See?
Most of our paediatric patients are booked in with our oral health therapist. Both cleans as well as children’s treatments are usually completed with the therapist but our dentist is also here for care when needed. As your child grows up with us, we can transition them to one of our dentists as they get older and have all of their adult teeth.
Your Child’s First Visit
Typically our goal is to see children for a checkup as early as possible, preferably by age 2. It’s best to have a relationship with them before they’re at risk for tooth pain or emergencies. However, if your child is experiencing a dental emergency (such as a toothache or broken tooth) we’ll fit them in straightaway for treatment.
Otherwise, the best thing to do is book your child in for a preventative care appointment by age 2. If possible, bring them along for your own checkups so that they’re already familiar with the environment. Depending on their comfort level, they can sit in your lap or the dental chair by themselves.
Medicare Child Dental Benefits
At Shenton Park Family Dental, we are passionate about helping children achieve and maintain excellent oral health for a lifetime. That’s why we are pleased to accept the Medicare Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).
To be eligible for the CDBS, your child must:
- Be aged 2 to 17 years for at least 1 day of the calendar year
- Be eligible for Medicare on the day of service
- Get, or be part of a family getting, certain Australian Government payments
You can check if your child is eligible by logging onto your MyGov account, calling Medicare on 132 011 or coming into the practice with your Medicare card. Children eligible for the program can have essential dental service bulk-billed!
Sealants protect the grooves of back teeth, reducing their risk of developing decay. A sealant takes just a few minutes to place and no numbing or drilling is necessary. We recommend applying sealants on newly-erupted permanent adult molars, which tend to come through around the ages of 6 and 12. Unlike fillings, sealants are not permanent. They’re simply a preventative cover that makes it easier to clean cavity-prone surfaces on back teeth.
Routine fluoride applications can remineralise weak enamel and make teeth more resistant to cavities. We recommend a treatment following each checkup and clean.
What if my child needs any work done?
If your child requires treatment, we’ll discuss options with you and have our patient coordinator work up a detailed care plan. This treatment breakdown will include all of the necessary procedures, appointments, fees and time involved.
Plan to bring your child to the dentist by the time they’re 2 years old. Earlier visits allow us to intercept problems before they start, reducing your child’s risk of pain or anxiety.
We want each of your child’s visits with us to be as pleasant as possible. Our practitioners are gentle and take the time to explain everything both to your child and your family as a whole. By harbouring trust and relationships, your child can look back on their time fondly and be receptive to additional visits in the future.
Reserve Your Child’s Checkup
Has it been six months or longer since your child’s last exam and clean? Does your child need to see a dentist for the first time? Contact us today!
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