Children’s Dentist in Rutherford
Your child may be eligible for $1000 of FREE dental treatment! Ask our receptionist about eligibility criteria or click here for more information.
Children’s Dentist in Maitland
We love kids (and their teeth)! We are always excited to meet new members of a family and have many patients where we see the grannies, parents, and children! We know you want to take the best possible care of your children and here are a few pointers from our family to yours.
When should I take my child to the dentist?
We recommend bringing your child in at around 12 months, or within 6 months of the first tooth coming through. The first appointment is all about your child getting to know our dentist and getting used to being in the dental surgery. We start with them sitting in your lap and will not be using any ‘scary’ implements!
How often should be my child go to the dentist?
Every six months your child (and any adults) should come in for a clean and check. Your children’s first (or primary) teeth are just as important as their permanent teeth so they need to be professionally cleaned regularly.
If decay on a baby tooth is not filled, the tooth nerve could be damaged which may endanger the emerging permanent tooth. Loss of a baby tooth can cause later problems including the development of crooked teeth in adulthood. Emerging teeth are also monitored to ensure early intervention should it be necessary.
Will my child be scared of the dentist?
Some people are worried that their child will be scared of the dentist, but children who visit us from early on often have a lot less fear. We focus on teaching your children great oral hygiene and they will learn that the better care they take of their teeth, the less work we have to do. We are always happy to tell stories and get the kids involved in what we are doing. Dr Gen also has balloon animals on offer at the end!
We recommend NOT using words around the dentist like ‘scary’ or offering a treat if they are ‘brave’. We find that often children are anxious because their parents tell them (by words or actions) that the dentist is scary. This might be really hard to avoid it if you are scared yourself, but we encourage you to try. As parents, we can try our best but we’re not perfect either. We know this and are always happy to help nervous patients in any way we can. Read more about that here.
Dr Nawrot is a mum to 4 children and a granny to 5 grandchildren, and Dr Gen is an auntie to those 5 grandchildren. They both have lots of experience with little ones and will be happy to help and reassure them (and the parents!).
Should my teenager see a dentist?
Professional teeth cleaning is especially important for teenagers. As they grow into adults, they need to keep up their excellent dental hygiene to avoid issues later on. Should problems start to show after permanent teeth emerge, don’t delay having an assessment. An early review may result in less treatment later on.
Can I get free dental treatment for kids in Maitland?
As noted above, you may be eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Scheme which offers $1,000 per child per year in free dental care! This is a great offer for free dental care in NSW – make use of it! Check your eligibility here and bring your Medicare card to your appointment. You can book an appointment with our Rutherford dentists here.
Remember, we’re YOUR dentist Maitland!