Children's dentistry at Smile Spot Mawson Lakes takes a gentle, unhurried approach so your child feels safe and comfortable from their very first visit. We see children of all ages and schedule longer appointments so no one feels rushed.
We bulk bill the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) through Medicare. Eligible children aged 2–17 receive up to $1,095 in dental benefits over two consecutive calendar years — with no out-of-pocket cost when we bulk bill.
Covered services include: check-ups, cleans, X-rays, fillings, fissure sealants, extractions, and root canals on baby teeth.
To check eligibility: Children aged 2–17 whose family receives certain government payments (such as Family Tax Benefit Part A) are generally eligible. Check through your Medicare online account or call Medicare on 132 011. Bring your Medicare card to the appointment and we will take care of the rest.
At Smile Spot in Mawson Lakes, we take a gentle, patient approach to children's dentistry. We welcome children of all ages — from toddlers experiencing the dental chair for the very first time, to primary school kids getting fissure sealants, to teenagers managing their growing smiles and thinking about orthodontic options.
The experiences children have at the dentist in their early years shape their attitudes towards oral health for life. A child who grows up feeling comfortable and in control at dental visits is far more likely to maintain regular dental care as an adult. We take that responsibility seriously.
For families in Mawson Lakes and across the northern suburbs — including Salisbury, Ingle Farm, Parafield, and Para Hills — our evening appointments make it easy to bring children in after school without disrupting the school day or taking time off work yourself.
The Australian Dental Association recommends a child's first dental visit around their first birthday, or when their first tooth appears. We understand this might sound early, but first visits for babies and toddlers are gentle and brief — often just a familiarisation visit where your child sits in the chair, meets the team, and gets used to the environment without any treatment at all.
These early visits serve two purposes. First, they let us check that your child's teeth and jaw are developing normally and give you age-appropriate guidance on diet, fluoride, and home care. Second, and perhaps more importantly, they establish the dental clinic as a familiar, safe place before any treatment is ever needed.
If your child is a little older and has not yet had their first visit, there is no cause for concern — just come in when you are ready. We will meet your child where they are and take things at their pace.
Regular six-monthly examinations and professional cleans, tailored to your child's age, development, and comfort level. We explain everything in friendly, easy-to-understand language and involve your child in what is happening so they feel in control.
The deep grooves on the chewing surfaces of back teeth are the most common site for decay in children — they are difficult to clean thoroughly with a toothbrush and trap food easily. Fissure sealants are a thin protective coating applied directly to these surfaces, creating a smooth, easy-to-clean barrier. The procedure is quick, non-invasive, and does not require any drilling or anaesthetic. Sealants are covered under the CDBS for eligible children.
A professional fluoride application strengthens tooth enamel and helps protect against decay, particularly in children whose teeth are still developing. We assess each child individually and advise whether fluoride treatment is appropriate based on their cavity risk, diet, and home care routine.
Children's X-rays use lower radiation doses than adult X-rays and are taken only when clinically necessary — typically to check for decay between teeth that cannot be seen visually, or to assess how permanent teeth are developing beneath the gums. We will always explain why an X-ray is recommended before proceeding.
Diet plays a significant role in children's dental health, and we know it can be challenging to navigate. We offer practical, realistic advice on how food and drink choices affect developing teeth, when to wean from a bottle, the impact of pacifiers on tooth development, and how to build an effective brushing routine at home.
We never rush children through appointments. If your child is nervous, we slow right down. We might spend the first visit simply showing your child the chair, the light, and the instruments — without putting anything in their mouth at all. We use child-friendly language to describe what we are doing and celebrate small wins at the end of every visit.
Parents are always welcome to stay in the room during treatment. Some children do better with a parent present; others relax more easily when they can interact with the dental team one-on-one. We follow your child's lead and yours.
If your child has significant dental anxiety, sensory sensitivities, or special needs, please let us know when you book so we can allow extra time and prepare accordingly. Smile Spot in Mawson Lakes is committed to making dental care accessible and positive for every child in our community.
We recommend bringing your child in around their first birthday or when their first tooth appears — whichever comes first. Early visits are usually brief and exploratory, helping your child get used to the dental chair and the team in a low-pressure setting. They also allow us to check that tooth development is progressing normally and give you guidance on diet and home care for that age.
The CDBS is a Medicare program that provides eligible children aged 2–17 with up to $1,095 in dental benefits over two consecutive calendar years, with no out-of-pocket cost when we bulk bill. Eligibility is based on your child receiving certain government payments such as Family Tax Benefit Part A. You can check your child's eligibility through your Medicare online account or by calling Medicare on 132 011.
We encounter anxious children regularly and our whole approach is built around patience and communication. We never rush — if your child needs extra time to get comfortable with the chair or instruments before we begin, we take that time. Parents are always welcome to stay in the room. We explain everything we are doing in simple, friendly language and make sure each visit ends on a positive note, however small the achievement.
Yes — baby teeth play a much more important role than most parents realise. They hold space in the jaw for the adult teeth developing beneath them, and losing a baby tooth too early through decay or extraction can cause the surrounding teeth to drift and affect how the permanent teeth come through. Baby teeth also play a key role in speech development, chewing, and your child's confidence. Keeping them healthy matters.
We welcome children from their very first tooth. Evening and after-school appointments available Monday to Thursday.
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