Childrens Dentistry

Dr. Caroline Chung is our resident specialist in children’s dentistry. Gentle, compassionate and highly skilled, she has more than ten years of experience caring for children and their teeth! Her specialties include dental trauma emergencies, early childhood decay and surgical management of impacted or supernumerary teeth. She also has experience in managing the oral health of children with special needs and anxieties, so you can rest assured that your child is in good hands. Find out more about what our paediatric specialist can do to help your child and keep their oral hygiene intact.

Dr. Chung currently consults at our children’s dental centre in Chatswood. You can either give us a ring on (02) 9415 3555, send us an email at chatswood@aboutsmiles.com.au or book an appointment online.

If your family is eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) or you have Medicare, you don’t have to pay out-of-pocket.

The CDBS is a program provided by the Australian government that covers the most basic dentistry for children in Sydney, with up to $1,095 in benefits over two consecutive calendar years. This includes everything from cleanings and fillings, and extractions (when necessary) to some X-rays, depending on what they need.

To qualify for the CDBS, a child or young person must meet two criteria:

• They must be aged 17 years and under
• Family is a beneficiary of Family Tax Benefit Part A or any relevant Australian government payment

You can learn more about the CDBS by visiting the NSW Health page. You can also send us a message, and we can answer any enquiries you may have.

It’s a great idea to bring your child in for a dental visit when they’re as young as two years old — the earlier they get introduced to children’s dentistry, the easier it will be for you to encourage good oral health habits.

On their first visit at this age, our dentist will do mostly general services:

• Full exam of their teeth, bite and gums
• Check for any abnormal growth and development
• Gentle cleaning, including polishing the teeth and removing any plaque or tartar

The staff at our Sydney children’s dentistry can also show your child how to properly brush their teeth and floss correctly to prevent future concerns. An ideal first visit is one where your child doesn’t have any significant dental problems, so we can take our time to get to know them and ensure they feel comfortable and relaxed.

Learn more about what to expect on your child’s first dental visit.

You should bring your child to a children’s dentist for the first time when they are about a year old or within about 6 months of getting their first tooth. The sooner you introduce your child to the dentist, the more comfortable they will be in the future. This visit will mostly be an introduction and, if the child is comfortable, a brief examination to check on their bite and other minor items.

Some kids have their first cavity before the age of five, and while they will lose these baby teeth, the cavity can affect the development of their permanent teeth. Since going to the dentist is a lifelong activity, it’s best to get your kids used to the idea early so they can keep healthy teeth as they age.

When kids are young, a children’s dentist will poke and prod a bit, so they will get used to who the dentist is and what they do. But the most important thing the dentist will do is to help teach your children about how important it is for them to take care of their teeth and oral health. They will talk with them about brushing and flossing so they understand how to keep their teeth clean and healthy.

The habits your children develop at a young age will stay with them for a lifetime. If your kids grow up learning to brush and floss and see the dentist regularly, these habits will continue into adulthood.

Baby teeth are an important part of children growing up. These teeth serve to help your children learn the basics of speech patterns and eating. If teeth are not functioning as they should, your child could have a speech impediment growing up or learn to eat in ways that will affect their permanent teeth later.

These teeth also help keep space, so there is no crowding of teeth when the permanent teeth come in later.

An unfixed or unhealthy tooth can cause decay to spread and create abscesses and infections and can turn quite painful for your child. If your kid has a tooth that isn’t looking as it should or is complaining about pain in their mouth, bring them to our children’s dentistry clinic so we can do an exam and ensure there are no complications.

Many of the reasons you should take your children to the dentist are the same as the reasons you’d go. Preventing cavities is important at any age, and since children tend not to brush as thoroughly as adults, they are also more susceptible to cavities.

Going to a children’s dentist also helps with proper oral hygiene and helps preserve natural teeth. By protecting baby teeth, you’re giving the permanent teeth a chance to develop properly. Children who see the dentist at a younger age are also less likely to need restorative treatments as they grow older since their teeth are well cared for.

Let your child know what to expect before they come to the dentist. Talk with them and tell them that the dentist will look at their smile and teeth. Bring their favourite comfort item, stuffed animal, or toy so they have something familiar to play with while undergoing treatment.