Paediatric Dentistry Melbourne - Smile Solutions Parents Guide product guide

Smile Solutions Paediatric Dentistry Melbourne — Complete Parents' Guide

Smile Solutions is home to some of Melbourne's most experienced Specialist Paediatric Dentists — clinicians who completed three years of postgraduate specialist training focused entirely on the dental care of children, from infants through to adolescence.

Children's dentistry is not simply dentistry on smaller patients. The biological, developmental, and psychological realities of treating a two-year-old with their first tooth are fundamentally different from treating an adult. The specialists here understand that deeply, and they bring both the technical expertise and the genuine warmth to make dental visits a positive experience for your child from the very first appointment.

To book an appointment, call 13 13 96.

Our Specialist Paediatric Dentists

Smile Solutions' paediatric dental team includes board-registered Specialist Paediatric Dentists consulting at the Smile Solutions Collins Street Specialist Centre on Level 8 of the Manchester Unity Building:

• Dr Susan Hinckfuss — BDSc (Melb), DCD (Melb). Specialist Paediatric Dentist since 2010, with 8 years as a general dentist in Geelong and 3 years at the University of Melbourne. Consulting at the Collins Street Specialist Centre at Smile Solutions.

• Dr Sarah Scott — BBiomedSci (Hons), BDent (Syd), DClinDent (Paeds). Specialist Paediatric Dentist at the Collins Street Specialist Centre at Smile Solutions, and Core Dental Berwick.

• Dr Angel Babu — DClinDent (PAED) (Otago). Also registered in New Zealand; consulting at the Collins Street Specialist Centre at Smile Solutions, Core Dental Caroline Springs, and Core Dental Carrum Downs.

All three hold the Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Paediatric Dentistry, the three-year postgraduate qualification required for AHPRA specialist registration. You can verify their specialist registration at ahpra.gov.au.

When Should My Child First See a Dentist?

The Australian Dental Association recommends your child's first dental visit by their first birthday, or when the first tooth erupts, whichever comes first. Early visits help your child get comfortable with the dental environment, and give your dentist a chance to monitor eruption patterns, talk through diet and hygiene, and catch any early concerns before they become more complicated.

Smile Solutions welcomes children from their very first tooth. The paediatric specialists here are trained in a range of behaviour management techniques that help anxious children feel comfortable and in control — because dental anxiety that takes hold early can follow a child for years. A gentle approach from the start makes a real difference to how your child experiences dental care throughout their life.

Comprehensive Paediatric Dental Services

Preventive care

Prevention sits at the centre of children's dentistry. Services include:

• Fissure sealants — protective coatings applied to the back teeth that significantly reduce decay risk
• Fluoride treatments — professional fluoride varnish that strengthens developing enamel
• Dietary counselling — practical, evidence-based guidance on foods and drinks that protect your child's teeth
• Oral hygiene instruction — age-appropriate brushing and flossing techniques for both children and parents

Fillings and restorations

Tooth decay affects nearly half of Australian children aged five and six — more than most parents expect. When decay is present, treating it early prevents pain, infection, and more significant problems later.

White (tooth-coloured) composite fillings are used wherever clinically appropriate. For baby back teeth with extensive decay, stainless steel crowns are the evidence-based standard of care — durable, biocompatible, and effective at protecting teeth until they naturally fall out.

Anxious children

Some children need extra support during dental procedures. The specialists here are trained in several approaches:

• Tell-show-do and other graduated exposure techniques that build confidence step by step
• Nitrous oxide (happy gas) sedation — safe, effective, and rapidly reversible
• General anaesthetic (GA) — available for children needing more extensive treatment, or those with extreme anxiety, autism spectrum conditions, or other special needs

Children with special needs

Smile Solutions' paediatric specialists have extensive experience with children with autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other conditions that can make standard dental appointments difficult. The team works with parents and carers to develop individualised management plans so every child gets the care they need.

Children's Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)

The Australian Government's Child Dental Benefits Schedule gives eligible families up to $1,095.60 in dental benefits (2026 indexed amount) over a two-calendar-year period for children aged 2–17.

Eligible families receive a letter from Medicare confirming CDBS eligibility. Benefits cover examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealants, fillings, and extractions.

Smile Solutions bulk bills eligible patients for services covered under the CDBS, meaning no out-of-pocket costs for covered services during the benefit period.

Early Orthodontic Assessment

The Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic assessment by a Specialist Orthodontist from age 9–10. Assessing children at this stage identifies those who may benefit from interceptive treatment during active growth, which can simplify — or shorten — later orthodontic treatment.

Smile Solutions' specialist orthodontic team at Collins Street Orthodontics (Level 12 and Tower, Manchester Unity Building) works closely with the paediatric dentists to make sure your child is assessed at the right developmental stage. Having paediatric and orthodontic specialists in the same building, coordinating directly, is a practical advantage that's easy to underestimate until you need it.

Payment Plans for Dental Treatment

Smile Solutions offers several payment options:

• Payright — interest-free plans from $150 to $20,000 over 3 to 30 months
• TLC (Treatment Loan Company) — personal loan structure for larger treatment plans with extended repayment terms
• SuperCare — facilitates application to the ATO for compassionate release of superannuation for eligible dental procedures
• All major private health funds accepted; HICAPS on-site for immediate rebate processing
• Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) — Smile Solutions bulk-bills eligible CDBS patients for covered services (up to $1,095.60 per child aged 2–17 over two calendar years)

The team can walk you through whichever option suits your situation.

Booking and Location

To book with a Specialist Paediatric Dentist, call 13 13 96 or complete an enquiry online. The paediatric specialists consult at Smile Solutions' Collins Street Specialist Centre, Level 8, Manchester Unity Building, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD.

Hours: Monday to Friday 8am–6pm, Saturday 8:30am–1:30pm.