Children’s dentistry covers the check-ups, cleaning, preventive treatments and advice that help young teeth and gums develop well. Baby teeth matter: they hold space for adult teeth, help with eating and speech, and can decay quickly because their enamel is thinner.
At Hornsby Dental, our dentists see children of all ages. Visits are paced to suit your child, with time taken to explain what is happening in words they can follow, and each family is given home-care advice suited to their child’s age and needs.
Some private health policies, including some Bupa policies, may cover part or all of your child’s dental fees. Cover differs between funds and policies, so please check with your health fund, then call (02) 8090 1100 or book online.
A child’s early dental visits can shape how they feel about dental care later on, so our approach is to keep appointments calm, unhurried and positive. We introduce the chair, the mirror and the other instruments gradually, let children ask questions, and stop if they need a break.
Some children settle straight away and others need a few short visits before they are ready for a full check-up or clean. Both are normal. If your child is anxious, has additional needs or has had a difficult experience before, let us know when you book so we can plan the visit around them. For children who need more help to cope with treatment, options such as happy gas can be discussed; these are only used after an assessment and with your consent.
We greet you and your child, talk about how the visit will run, and give them a chance to look around and get comfortable before anything starts. You are welcome to stay with your child throughout.
The dentist counts and checks the teeth, gums and bite, explaining each step as they go. X-rays are taken only if they are needed and your child is able to manage them.
If your child is ready, their teeth are gently cleaned and polished to remove plaque and surface stains. The clean is adapted to their age and can be shortened or left for another day.
Depending on your child's needs, the dentist may suggest topical fluoride or fissure sealants for back teeth with deep grooves. The reasons, benefits and any risks are explained to you before anything is done.
We show your child how to brush and, when they are old enough, clean between their teeth, and talk with you about diet, drinks, dummies and thumb-sucking where relevant. You leave with a plan for home care and a suggested time for the next visit.
A first visit is generally recommended when the first tooth comes through, or by your child’s first birthday. After that, regular check-ups at an interval recommended by the dentist help track how the teeth and jaws are developing.
Outside routine visits, it is worth booking an appointment if your child has:
For a dental injury or severe pain, see our emergency appointments.
Most children’s visits are preventive, but treatment is sometimes needed. Depending on what the dentist finds, care for children at Hornsby Dental can include:
Any treatment is explained to you first, including the alternatives, and goes ahead only with your consent.
Routine children’s dental care is low risk, and your dentist will talk through anything specific to your child. In general:
No preventive treatment can rule out decay, so home care and regular visits remain important. More information is on our dental treatment risks page.
The cost of a child’s visit depends on their age and what is needed on the day, so our team will confirm fees when you book or after the dentist has examined your child.
Our current price guide lists fissure seals at $50 to $100. For other fees, see the full price list or call us on (02) 8090 1100.
If your child has private health cover with dental extras, part or all of the fee may be claimable, depending on your fund and policy. If your child is eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, please ask our team whether it can be used for their visit.
All fees are an estimate only and not a final quote.
Access our detailed price guide to understand the investment in your dental care options.
We recommend a first visit when the first tooth appears or by your child’s first birthday. Early visits help children get comfortable at the dentist and let us spot problems early.
Most children benefit from a check-up and clean every six months.
Fissure seals are a thin protective coating on the grooves of back teeth that helps prevent decay. They range from $50 to $100 per tooth. See our price list.
Keep the language positive, read a book about visiting the dentist, and let us know if your child is nervous – we take a gentle, unhurried approach. Saturday appointments are available.
Yes. We accept all major health funds and claim on the spot with HICAPS – see health funds.
