One of the questions I hear most often from new parents in Mawson Lakes is some version of: “My child’s teeth have only just come in — do they really need to see a dentist already?” It’s a fair question, and the answer is: sooner than most people think.
The Australian Dental Association recommends a child’s first dental visit by the age of one, or within six months of the first tooth appearing — whichever comes first. For most families, that means bringing in a baby who is still very much a baby.
Here’s why that timing matters, and what actually happens when you bring a very young child to see us.
Why So Early?
The goal of an early first visit isn’t to do dental work. It’s to establish a relationship with a dentist before any problems develop, and to catch anything that needs attention while it’s still minor.
Baby teeth matter more than many parents realise. They hold space for the permanent teeth developing underneath, support speech development, and make eating comfortable. A baby tooth with decay that’s left untreated can become painful quickly — and may require more significant treatment than if it had been caught early.
Early visits also help children build a normal, relaxed relationship with the dentist from the start. A child who has only been to the dentist when something is wrong will associate the experience with discomfort. A child who comes in regularly from a young age usually finds it completely unremarkable.
Mawson Lakes has one of the younger community profiles in Adelaide’s northern suburbs — the median age here is 33, and with nearly half of all families in the area having children under 15, this is very much a suburb of young families navigating exactly these questions. The good news is that getting the timing right pays off for years.
What Happens at a First Dental Visit
For very young children — under two or three — the appointment is gentle and brief. We’re mostly getting your child comfortable with the environment and having a careful look.
In practice, this means:
- A look at the teeth and gums. We count the teeth that have come through, check how they’re developing, and look for any early signs of decay or bite issues.
- A check of the soft tissues. We look at the palate, tongue, and inside of the cheeks.
- Getting comfortable with the chair. Many young children sit in their parent’s lap, or on the parent’s lap facing the dentist — whatever feels secure for them.
- A chat with you. We talk through things like teething, dummy use, night feeds, and how to clean their teeth effectively at home.
There are rarely instruments involved at the first visit unless we spot something that needs attention. The main point is a gentle introduction.
About Dr Alissa Kim — Our Children’s Dentist
I’m Dr Alissa Kim, and children’s dentistry is an area I genuinely enjoy. I completed my Bachelor of Dental Surgery at the University of Adelaide and have worked with children across a range of ages and backgrounds — from anxious toddlers having their very first look-see to teenagers needing more complex care.
I speak Korean, which matters more than people sometimes realise. Mawson Lakes is a genuinely multicultural community — around 42% of residents were born overseas, and Korean-speaking families are part of that community. When a parent can ask questions and receive information in their first language, the whole experience is less stressful for everyone, including the child picking up on the parent’s cues.
Alongside Dr Alissa, our principal dentist Dr Sunny also speaks Punjabi — which is relevant given that Punjabi is one of the most common community languages in Mawson Lakes and the broader northern suburbs, including significant Punjabi-speaking communities in Parafield Gardens and Salisbury. Dr Louise Chen speaks Mandarin. We mention this not as a point of difference for its own sake, but because communication genuinely changes the dental experience for families who aren’t fully comfortable discussing health matters in English.
How to Prepare Your Child
Your attitude makes a significant difference. Children absorb their parents’ anxiety, so if dental visits make you nervous, try not to convey that.
Read books about going to the dentist. There are good ones aimed at toddlers and pre-schoolers — stories where the character has a positive dental experience. They normalise the idea before your child arrives.
Play pretend. Let your child look inside your mouth with a spoon or a torch. Lie back and count each other’s teeth. Make the experience of someone looking into their mouth feel ordinary and fun.
Use positive language. Talk about the dentist as someone who keeps teeth healthy and strong, rather than framing it around pain or procedures. Avoid phrases like “it won’t hurt” — this plants the idea that pain is a possibility.
Avoid transferring your own anxiety. If you’ve had difficult dental experiences yourself, try to keep those stories away from young ears. Children don’t need to arrive pre-worried.
What Is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is a Medicare program that provides eligible children with up to $1,095.60 in dental benefits over a two-calendar-year period. Benefits cover a range of basic services: check-ups, X-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, and extractions.
Children are generally eligible if they’re aged 2–17 and their family receives an eligible government payment, such as Family Tax Benefit Part A. The simplest way to check is to call Medicare, or ask us when you book — we can often verify eligibility on your behalf.
At Smile Spot Mawson Lakes, we bulk bill under the CDBS for eligible children. That means no out-of-pocket cost to you for covered services when your child is enrolled in the scheme. For families in Parafield Gardens, Paralowie, and Salisbury where household budgets are stretched and a significant proportion of families receive Family Tax Benefit, this can make a meaningful difference to whether check-ups happen regularly or get pushed back.
Evening Appointments Work Well for Families
One of the practical challenges for families is getting children to appointments during school hours. Taking a child out of daycare or school is disruptive and often stressful for everyone.
We’re open Monday to Thursday until 7pm, which means you can bring the kids in after school or after childcare pickup — no disruption to their day, no need to organise leave. A 5:30pm or 6pm appointment often works well for families coming home through Mawson Interchange on the Gawler rail line, or driving in on Main North Road from Parafield Gardens or Salisbury.
For families with multiple children, the after-school window also makes it easier to bring siblings along and get check-ups done together rather than making multiple separate trips.
Book Your Child’s First Visit
Our team at Smile Spot sees children of all ages — from babies through to teenagers — as part of our children’s dentistry services. We also offer dental check-ups for the whole family at the same practice.
If you’d like to book your child’s first dental visit, make an appointment online or call us on (08) 8258 0650. We’re open Monday to Thursday until 7pm — no need to take time off work or pull them out of school.
Book at Smile Spot — call (08) 8258 0650 or book online.