GENERAL DENTISTRY
CHILDREN’S DENTAL HEALTH
We love kids and we find they respond positively to our fun, friendly, and gentle approach. We tailor our care to your child’s age and dental needs. And when you bring your child for their first dental visit, she or he will walk away with a first visit certificate.
We take educating children about the importance of good oral health very seriously. But we want them to find it fun. We encourage children to start caring for their teeth early on to enjoy better dental health in the future.
KEEPING KIDS ANXIETY-FREE
Children are not born with a fear of the dentist, but they can fear the unknown. That’s why we work hard to put your child at ease, using simple, non-frightening language when speaking about procedures.
One of the most reliable predictors for children’s dental anxiety is parental anxiety. To prepare your son or daughter for a positive experience at the dentist, we recommend you maintain a positive attitude.
If your child senses you are at ease, he or she will relax as well. It is helpful to describe briefly to your child what to expect at the first visit. But avoid using these words:
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Pain
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Needles
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Scary
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Drill
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Hurt
If you are unsure how to speak to your child about the dentist, our office staff will be happy to help.
We have movies and ABC Kids to keep your child entertained during longer sessions.
THE CHILD DENTAL BENEFIT SCHEDULE
We are pleased to treat families eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), a dental assistance program for eligible children aged between two and17 years. The CDBS covers basic dental services of up to $1000 over a two-year period, including:
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Examinations
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X‐rays
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Cleaning
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Fissure sealing
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Fillings
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Root canals
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Extractions
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Partial dentures
Please note that orthodontic treatment, cosmetic treatment, mouthguards, and any services provided in a hospital operating theatre are not included under the CDBS.
If you receive relevant Australian government payments, your child is entitled to the CDBS. If you think you are entitled but have not received government notification of eligibility, check your Medicare online account through MyGov or contact the Department of Human Services. Alternatively, one of our friendly staff members will be happy to help.
Bulk-billing is available for all treatments covered by the CDBS. But should the CDBS balance be unavailable to claim on the day, you will be required to pay the invoice in full and claim your rebate later through Medicare.
FISSURE SEALANTS
Dental sealants are plastic resins that bond and harden in the deep grooves on a tooth's surface. When a tooth is sealed, the tiny grooves become smooth and are less likely to harbor plaque. With sealants, brushing becomes easier and more effective against tooth decay.
Sealants are typically applied to children's teeth after their permanent teeth have erupted as a preventive measure against tooth decay. It is more common to seal permanent teeth than baby teeth, but every patient has unique needs, and your dentist will recommend sealants on a case-by-case basis. Sealants are only applied to the back teeth: the molars and premolars. These are the teeth that have pits (small hollows) and fissures (grooves) on their biting surfaces.
Sealants usually last from three to five years. But it is fairly common to see adults with sealants still intact from childhood. A dental sealant only provides protection when it is fully intact so if your child's sealants come off, let the dentist know, and schedule an appointment for re-sealing.
At Royal Parade Dental Clinic, we know how important early experiences at the dentist are in forming your child’s attitude towards dental health. We tailor our services to the needs of children and do all we can to ensure they have a positive experience, visit after visit.
