At what age do I bring my child for his/her first dental appointment?

We recommend children have their first dental check-up by their first birthday.  They should also have a dental check-up before they start school. This ensures three things:

• Bringing your children to us at Dentist @ Westleigh for check up even before problems come up will give them a more positive experience and reduce their fear of dentists. 

• On your child's first dental visit, our dentists can advise you on proper oral care for your child's deciduous teeth (also called milk teeth), the right care will ensure your child has healthy milk teeth leading to healthy permanent teeth

• Bringing your child to the dentist regularly can help ensure that any cavities are caught early for it to be treated so that your baby can have healthy deciduous teeth (also called milk teeth) leading to overall good health.

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What to expect on your child's first dental visit with us?

We’ll keep your child’s oral health in great shape with a range of services such as check up and clean.  We will also check their gums, and how your child’s teeth and jaws are growing.  This is also the best time for our dentist to give your child advice about good dental hygiene like brushing teeth and gums, flossing. Additional treatments to help protect teeth may be recommended, such as fluoride treatment and dental sealants.

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Why do I have to look after my child's baby teeth?

Dental care and tooth decay prevention start well before first baby teeth arrive.  Healthy baby teeth set the stage for a lifetime of good dental health, establishing good dental habits in your child helps prevent future tooth decay.

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Preventative Care

Tooth decay (holes) can start as soon as teeth appear.  Plaque, a sticky film of bacteria (germs) and left-over food, coats the teeth and causes tooth decay. If not brushed away, the bacteria in plaque uses the sugars in foods and drinks to make acid. Over time, this acid dissolves the tooth away, causing a hole.  Having a healthy diet and developing good dental hygiene like brushing teeth and gums, and flossing will help prevent tooth decay.

Medical Bulk Billing for Children  *conditions apply

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is a program for eligible children that provides up to $1,095 in benefits (the benefit cap) over a relevant two calendar year period for basic dental services. Services that receive a benefit under the program include examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals, extractions and partial dentures.  However, benefits are not available for orthodontic, cosmetic dental work or any services provided in a hospital. Claims under the CDBS are processed by Services Australia.

Which children are eligible for CDBS? 

A child is eligible if they are:

• eligible for Medicare, and

• aged 0-17 years at any point in the calendar year, and

• receive a relevant Australian government payment, such as Family Tax Benefit Part A, at any point in the calendar year.

For more information, click here. Or contact us on 02 9446 5500