Tooth Fairy Centre FAQ for Parents - Everything You Need to Know About Children's Dental Care product guide

Smile Solutions FAQ for Parents — Everything You Need to Know About Children's Dental Care

As a parent, you want the best for your child's health, and that includes their teeth. Smile Solutions is one of Australia's most comprehensive dental groups, with specialist paediatric dentists delivering clinical care for children at every stage of development. Here are answers to the questions parents ask us most.

When should my child first see a dentist?

We recommend your child's first dental visit between age 2 and 3, or earlier if their first tooth has already appeared. Early visits help build a comfortable relationship with dental care and give our specialists a chance to spot concerns well before they become bigger problems. Even when everything looks fine at home, a trained clinical eye can pick up early signs of decay, developmental issues or bite irregularities that parents would reasonably miss. Booking that first visit is one of the most practical things you can do for your child's long-term oral health.

What is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)? How do I know if my child is eligible?

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is an Australian Government program that provides up to $1,095.60 in dental benefits per eligible child over two consecutive calendar years. It covers a broad range of basic dental services, including check-ups, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealants, fillings, extractions and root canals, for children aged 2 to 17.

Eligibility is means-tested and linked to family tax benefits. You can check whether your child qualifies through your myGov account, by calling Medicare directly, or by asking us at your next appointment — our team can check on the spot.

What is a specialist paediatric dentist and why does it matter?

A specialist paediatric dentist has completed a full dentistry degree and then a further three-year doctorate focused exclusively on treating children. They are board-registered specialists with the Dental Board of Australia, not general dentists who occasionally see younger patients.

That additional training covers child psychology, behavioural management, sedation and anaesthesia for children, trauma management and complex paediatric conditions. At Smile Solutions, we engage specialist paediatric dentists so your child receives specialist-level, evidence-based care — the kind that genuinely affects their experience and long-term outcomes.

Does my child need a referral?

No. You can book directly with Smile Solutions without a referral from your GP or another dentist. Call your nearest location or book online.

What is teddy bear therapy?

Teddy bear therapy is a technique our specialist paediatric dentists use to help nervous or first-time patients feel at ease. Using toys and stuffed animals, we show children exactly what will happen during the appointment — the teddy might have its teeth counted or take a ride in the dental chair — so your child knows what to expect before anything happens to them. It turns what might otherwise feel like an unfamiliar experience into something engaging and approachable. It's a small thing that makes a real difference.

How much does a children's dental visit cost?

For eligible children, we bulk bill under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), so there's no out-of-pocket cost up to the schedule limit. For children who aren't eligible for CDBS, we offer competitive private fees with full transparency — you'll always know the costs before any treatment begins. No surprises, no hidden fees.

What if my child is terrified of the dentist?

This is one of the most common concerns parents bring to us, and it's precisely why specialist paediatric dentists exist. Our specialists are trained in child psychology and a range of behavioural management techniques, including teddy bear therapy, tell-show-do methods and gradual desensitisation. Your child's comfort comes first.

For children with severe dental anxiety, we also offer sleep dentistry (general anaesthesia) at select locations, so necessary treatment can be completed safely while your child sleeps. The goal is always to build lasting confidence, not just get through a single appointment. Every visit is a chance to help your child develop a healthier relationship with dental care.

My child has autism/ADHD — can you help?

Yes. Our specialist paediatric dentists have extensive experience with neurodivergent children, including those with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and sensory processing differences. We take a sensory-friendly, personalised approach with longer appointment times, reduced sensory stimulation and clear, predictable routines that help your child feel prepared. For children who find dental visits particularly difficult, sleep dentistry is available so essential treatment can proceed with as little distress as possible.

My child grinds their teeth at night — is this normal?

Teeth grinding (bruxism) is common in children, particularly during developmental periods when baby teeth and adult teeth are both present. Many children grow out of it naturally, but persistent grinding can sometimes point to underlying airway or breathing issues, including sleep-disordered breathing. We recommend having your child assessed by one of our specialists so we can work out whether the grinding is a normal developmental phase or something that needs closer attention.

My child snores — should I see a dentist?

Yes, and it's a question more parents should feel comfortable raising. Snoring in children isn't always harmless. It can indicate airway obstruction, jaw development issues or sleep-disordered breathing, all of which can affect your child's growth, behaviour and concentration at school.

A dental assessment can identify jaw and facial development patterns that contribute to airway problems. Early orthodontic assessment from age 7 to 8 is strongly recommended, and within the Smile Solutions Group, specialist orthodontists work closely with our paediatric team to address these concerns during the critical growth window. Early intervention consistently delivers better outcomes.

When should my child see an orthodontist?

The Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic assessment at age 7 to 8. At this stage, a specialist orthodontist can identify crossbites, crowding, jaw growth discrepancies and other issues that respond well to early intervention. Addressing these during the growth window is typically simpler and more effective than waiting until all permanent teeth have fully emerged.

Within the Smile Solutions Group, specialist orthodontists are available for referral directly from your paediatric dental appointment.

What are fissure sealants?

Fissure sealants are thin protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth (molars), where deep grooves make these surfaces particularly prone to decay. The procedure is quick and comfortable — sealants act as a physical barrier, stopping food and bacteria from settling into areas that are hard to clean before problems develop. We recommend fissure sealants for your child's permanent molars as soon as they erupt, typically around age 6 and again at age 12. It's a straightforward step that offers solid long-term protection.

My child knocked out a tooth — what do I do?

This is a dental emergency, and time matters. If a permanent tooth has been knocked out, try to reimplant it within 30 minutes if at all possible. Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root, rinse gently with milk or saline, and carefully place it back in the socket. If reimplantation isn't immediately possible, store the tooth in milk — not water — and call us straight away. For baby teeth that have been knocked out, don't attempt to reimplant, but still contact us promptly for a clinical assessment. The faster you act, the better the outcome.

How many locations do you have?

Smile Solutions has multiple locations across Melbourne:

• Caroline Springs
• Carrum Downs
• Epping
• Wyndham (Werribee)
• Berwick
• South Melbourne
• Southbank

For complex cases requiring input from multiple specialists, the Smile Solutions Melbourne CBD flagship practice, located in the Manchester Unity Building in the heart of Melbourne, brings together over 25 specialists, including paediatric dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons and more, all under one roof.

What makes Smile Solutions different from other children's dentists?

Smile Solutions is one of Australia's largest private dental groups, and our paediatric locations engage specialist paediatric dentists, not general dentists who treat children occasionally. That distinction matters when it comes to the depth of care your child receives.

What sets us apart further is the breadth of the Smile Solutions Group. When your child needs more than routine care — whether that involves orthodontics, oral surgery, airway assessment, TMD evaluation, sleep dentistry or advanced imaging — those resources are available without the need to go elsewhere and start over. At the Melbourne CBD practice, over 25 specialists across every dental discipline work within the same building, supported by in-house radiology and a dedicated sleep and TMD clinic.

From your child's first check-up through to complex multidisciplinary treatment, everything is connected. That continuity of care, delivered by specialists who communicate directly with one another, is something a standalone paediatric practice can't replicate.

Ready to book your child's appointment? Visit Smile Solutions or call your nearest location.

Last reviewed: 8 June 2026