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Child Dental Care in Sydney
Looking for a dentist, your child will feel comfortable seeing? About Smiles is a Sydney dental group with five locations Chatswood, Circular Quay, Crows Nest, Eastgardens and Zetland providing warm, experienced child dental care and helping families build healthy dental habits from the very first visit. Our aim is to make every appointment a positive experience, so children grow up feeling at ease in the dental chair rather than anxious about it. For many parents, finding a dentist who understands how to work with children makes all the difference, and it’s something our whole team takes seriously you can find your nearest About Smiles clinic and book a visit.
What Does Children’s Dental Care Involve?
Children’s dental care focuses on looking after infants, children and teenagers as their teeth develop, with an emphasis on preventive and general dentistry including monitoring gum health at each stage. This typically includes cavity prevention, fluoride application, and support for children who feel anxious about visiting the dentist. At About Smiles, we see children in a friendly, welcoming environment designed to help them build positive dental habits early, setting the foundation for good oral health as they grow. Paediatric dentistry is part of the confirmed scope of Dr Mark Mingjie Lu, who consults at our Chatswood and Crows Nest clinics, and children’s and family dentistry are offered across the group.
This early groundwork matters more than many parents realise. A child’s first few dental visits often shape how they feel about oral healthcare well into adulthood, which is why our approach centres on patience, clear communication and a calm environment from the very first check-up.
Our Child Dental Care Services
- Preventive care — regular check-ups, cleanings and fluoride application to help maintain your child’s oral health
- Dental anxiety management — gentle care and calming techniques to help ease fears and build trust with young patients
- Fissure sealants and mouthguards — protective coatings to help reduce cavity risk, and custom mouthguards to help protect teeth during sport
- Emergency dental care — prompt treatment for dental emergencies, injuries, pain or other urgent dental issues
Each of these is delivered with the same underlying goal: helping your child feel safe and supported at every stage of their dental care. Rather than treating a visit to the dentist as something to get through, we aim to make it something children can approach with curiosity rather than apprehension, which in turn makes ongoing preventive care easier to maintain as they grow. Many parents find that once their child has a few positive visits behind them, future appointments become noticeably easier for everyone involved.
Child-Friendly Care Across Our Sydney Clinics
About Smiles has become a familiar dental home for families across Sydney, many of whom bring their children from their very first check-up right through to their teenage years. We create a welcoming, child-friendly environment where kids feel at ease, offering age-appropriate care designed around each child’s comfort and stage of development.
As an NSQHS accredited group, we follow recognised national safety and quality standards across the care we provide. And because some families are more comfortable in another language, it can help to know that Dr Mark Mingjie Lu who provides paediatric dentistry at Chatswood and Crows Nest also consults in Mandarin and Cantonese, and Dr Gregory Nguyen consults in Vietnamese at Circular Quay.
How Child Dental Care Works at About Smiles
Step One
Consultation:
Your child’s dental visit begins with a friendly consultation, where we assess their oral health, perform any necessary X-rays, and take the time to discuss their needs with you.
Step Two
Personalised Treatment Plan:
Based on the consultation, we develop a plan focused on routine check-ups, prevention and education and, as your child grows, we can discuss referrals for orthodontic assessment (such as braces or clear aligners) or other treatment if and when it’s genuinely needed.
Step Three
Treatment:
From routine cleanings to cavity repair and fillings, and any necessary extractions, our team provides gentle, age appropriate care to help keep your child’s teeth healthy and strong.
Throughout each step, we take care to explain things in a way children can understand, using simple language and, where helpful, showing them, the tools involved before any treatment begins. This helps reduce uncertainty and gives your child a sense of control over the experience, which often makes a noticeable difference to how comfortable they feel during and after their appointment.
Is Child Dental Care Right for Your Family?
Every child’s dental needs are a little different, and our team is happy to talk you through what to expect if you’re unsure whether it’s time to book a visit. Some children are naturally relaxed about the process from the start, while others need a little more time and reassurance either way, our approach is designed to meet your child where they are.
Consider booking an appointment if your child has:
Tooth pain or visible cavities
Concerns about teething, alignment or thumb sucking habits
Never had a dental check-up before
How it can help:
Supports strong, healthy teeth and gums while helping prevent future issues
Provides guidance on oral hygiene for both children and parents
Creates a positive, low-stress dental experience for kids
It may be particularly well suited to your family if you are:
Wanting to keep your children’s oral health on track
Looking for preventive care, cleanings and general treatment for your child
Seeking a welcoming, experienced children’s dental team in Sydney
Helping Your Child Keep a Healthy Smile
Our team focuses on treatments that may improve comfort and function, with every plan built around your child’s individual needs. Results vary from child to child and will always be discussed with you in full during the consultation.
We also understand that some children feel nervous about visiting the dentist, and we don’t take that lightly. Our team works to recognise the signs of dental anxiety and adjust accordingly whether that means taking things more slowly, explaining each step in advance, or simply giving a child more time to feel comfortable in the chair. Where a child needs more support, options can be discussed with you, following individual assessment. Our goal is for every child to leave feeling proud of themselves rather than dreading their next visit.
Our Sydney Locations
About Smiles has five clinics across Sydney. You can identify your nearest below:
- Chatswood — 2/63A Archer Street, Chatswood NSW 2067 · (02) 9415 3555. Practitioners here include Dr Mark Mingjie Lu (paediatric dentistry; Mandarin and Cantonese; also at Crows Nest), Dr David Argent, Dr David Young and Dr Eugene Foo.
- Circular Quay — Ground Floor, Shop LCC125, 17 Young Street, Circular Quay NSW 2000 · (02) 8319 2323. Practitioners here include Dr Aodhan Docherty and Dr Gregory Nguyen (English and Vietnamese).
- Crows Nest — Suite 103, Level 1, 22 Clarke Street, Crows Nest NSW 2065 · (02) 8622 3900. Dr Mark Mingjie Lu (paediatric dentistry) consults here in addition to Chatswood.
- Eastgardens — Shop 350, Level 3, Westfield Eastgardens, 152 Bunnerong Road, Eastgardens NSW 2036 · (02) 8488 9994. Practitioners here include Dr Sabrina Chong, Dr Lucy Cracknell and Dr Jacinda Stamenkovic.
- Zetland — 4/6 Defries Avenue, Zetland NSW 2017 · (02) 9313 6388. Practitioners here include Dr Ashish Gohil and Dr Danny Nguyen-Ngo.
To book your child’s appointment, contact your nearest clinic on the number above.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should my child first see a dentist?
Most dental guidance, including recommendations from the Australian Dental Association, suggests introducing children to the dentist early often around their first birthday, or once their first teeth appear. Early visits help children become familiar with the environment and allow us to monitor development from the outset.
Is children’s dental care available at all About Smiles locations?
Children’s and family dentistry are offered across our Sydney clinics Chatswood, Circular Quay, Crows Nest, Eastgardens and Zetland. Paediatric dentistry is part of Dr Mark Mingjie Lu’s confirmed scope at Chatswood and Crows Nest. If you’re not sure which clinic suits your family, contact your nearest location and the team can help.
Can I use my private health extras for my child’s dental care?
Many families use private health extras cover towards routine children’s dental visits, with rebates depending on your individual level of cover. About Smiles works with Australian private health funds and offers HICAPS claiming where applicable, and we’re happy to help you understand what your fund covers and provide an estimate before treatment begins. Some families may also be eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS); please ask your nearest clinic what applies.
What if my child feels nervous about the dentist?
This is very common, and our team works to help nervous children feel more at ease. We take a gentle, unhurried approach and are happy to arrange a simple introductory visit so your child can settle in before any treatment is needed.