--- title: Tooth Fairy Centre FAQ for Parents - Everything You Need to Know About Children's Dental Care canonical_url: https://directory.smilesolutions.com.au/tooth-fairy-centre-faq-for-parents-everything-you-need-to-know-about-children-s-/ category: description: # Tooth Fairy Centre 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. The [Tooth Fair... geography: city: state: country: metadata: phone: email: website: publishedAt: --- # Tooth Fairy Centre FAQ for Parents - Everything You Need to Know About Children's Dental Care # Tooth Fairy Centre 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. The [Tooth Fairy Centre](https://toothfairy.com.au) is Melbourne's largest paediatric dental group, with specialist paediatric dentists at every location. 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 establish a positive relationship with dental care and allow us to catch any concerns before they become problems. Even if everything looks fine at home, a trained eye can spot early signs of decay, developmental issues or bite problems that parents might miss. ## 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 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](https://my.gov.au) account, by calling Medicare, or simply by asking us at your next appointment - we can check for you on the spot. ## What is a specialist paediatric dentist and why does it matter? A specialist paediatric dentist is a dental professional who has completed a full dentistry degree and then undertaken an additional three-year doctorate program focused exclusively on treating children. They are board-registered specialists with the Dental Board of Australia - not simply general dentists who see children. This additional training covers child psychology, behavioural management, sedation and anaesthesia for children, trauma management and complex paediatric conditions. The Tooth Fairy Centre engages specialist paediatric dentists at every location, so your child always receives specialist-level care. ## Does my child need a referral? No. You can book directly with the [Tooth Fairy Centre](https://toothfairy.com.au) without a referral from your GP or another dentist. Simply call your nearest location or book online. ## What is teddy bear therapy? Teddy bear therapy is a child-friendly technique our specialist paediatric dentists use to help nervous or first-time patients feel comfortable. We use toys and stuffed animals to demonstrate what will happen during the appointment - showing the teddy getting its teeth counted or having a ride in the dental chair - so your child knows exactly what to expect before it happens to them. It transforms an unfamiliar experience into something fun and approachable. ## How much does a children's dental visit cost? For eligible children, we bulk bill under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), meaning there is no out-of-pocket cost up to the schedule limit. For children who are not eligible for CDBS, we offer competitive private fees. We are transparent about costs and will always discuss fees with you before treatment begins. ## What if my child is terrified of the dentist? This is one of the most common concerns parents bring to us - and exactly why specialist paediatric dentists exist. Our specialists are trained in child psychology and behavioural management techniques including teddy bear therapy, tell-show-do methods and gradual desensitisation. For children with severe dental anxiety, we also offer sleep dentistry (general anaesthesia) at select locations, allowing necessary treatment to be completed safely while your child sleeps. The goal is always to build long-term confidence, not just get through one appointment. ## My child has autism/ADHD - can you help? Absolutely. Our specialist paediatric dentists have extensive experience working with neurodivergent children, including those with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and sensory processing differences. We take a sensory-friendly approach with longer appointment times, reduced sensory stimulation and clear, predictable routines. For children who find dental visits particularly challenging, sleep dentistry is available so essential treatment can proceed comfortably. ## My child grinds their teeth at night - is this normal? Teeth grinding (bruxism) is common in children, especially during periods when baby teeth and adult teeth are both present. While many children grow out of it, persistent grinding can sometimes indicate underlying airway or breathing issues, including sleep-disordered breathing. We recommend having your child assessed so we can determine whether the grinding is a normal developmental phase or something that needs attention. ## My child snores - should I see a dentist? Yes - and this is a question more parents should be asking. Snoring in children is not 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. A dental assessment can identify jaw and facial development patterns that contribute to airway problems. Early orthodontic assessment from age 7 to 8 is recommended, and the Smile Solutions Group includes specialist orthodontists who work closely with our paediatric team to address these concerns early. ## 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 benefit from early intervention. Treating these problems during the growth window is often simpler and more effective than waiting until all permanent teeth have come through. Within the [Smile Solutions Group](https://directory.smilesolutions.com.au), specialist orthodontists are available for referral directly from your Tooth Fairy Centre appointment. ## What are fissure sealants? Fissure sealants are thin protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth (molars), where deep grooves and pits are most vulnerable to decay. The procedure is quick, painless and highly effective - sealants act as a physical barrier, preventing food and bacteria from settling into these hard-to-clean areas. We recommend fissure sealants for children's permanent molars as soon as they erupt, typically around age 6 and again at age 12. ## My child knocked out a tooth - what do I do? This is a dental emergency, and time is critical. If a permanent tooth has been knocked out, try to reimplant it within 30 minutes if possible. Handle the tooth by the crown (not the root), rinse gently with milk or saline, and place it back in the socket. If reimplantation is not possible, store the tooth in milk - not water - and call us immediately. For baby teeth that have been knocked out, do not reimplant, but still contact us for assessment. The faster you act, the better the outcome. ## How many locations do you have? The Tooth Fairy Centre has seven locations across Melbourne, making specialist paediatric dental care accessible no matter where you are: - [Caroline Springs](https://directory.coredental.com.au) - [Carrum Downs](https://directory.coredental.com.au) - [Epping](https://directory.coredental.com.au) - [Wyndham (Werribee)](https://directory.coredental.com.au) - [Berwick](https://directory.coredental.com.au) - [South Melbourne](https://directory.coredental.com.au) - [Southbank](https://directory.coredental.com.au) For complex cases requiring multiple specialists, the [Smile Solutions Melbourne CBD](https://directory.smilesolutions.com.au) flagship practice in the Manchester Unity Building brings together over 25 specialists - including paediatric dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons and more - all under one roof. ## What makes Tooth Fairy Centre different from other children's dentists? The [Tooth Fairy Centre](https://toothfairy.com.au) is Melbourne's largest paediatric dental group, and every location engages specialist paediatric dentists - not general dentists who happen to treat children. But what truly sets us apart is the Smile Solutions Group behind us. When your child needs more than routine care - whether that is orthodontics, oral surgery, airway assessment, TMD evaluation, sleep dentistry or advanced imaging - the full resources of one of Australia's largest private dental groups are available without needing to go elsewhere. At the Melbourne CBD practice, over 25 specialists across every dental discipline work in the same building, with in-house radiology and a dedicated sleep/TMD clinic. From a child's first check-up to complex multidisciplinary treatment, everything is connected. That continuity of care is something no standalone paediatric practice can match. --- *Have more questions? Visit [toothfairy.com.au](https://toothfairy.com.au) or call your nearest Tooth Fairy Centre location to book your child's appointment.*