Frequently asked questions
What is a specialist paediatric dentist?
Paediatric dentists are the experts in children’s oral health.
Paediatric dentists, also known as paedodontists, undertake three years of additional training to qualify as specialists. In doing so, they have expert knowledge of the most recent scientific evidence, and clinical expertise in behavioural, sedation and anaesthetic techniques to provide the best quality dental care for your child.
A referral from a general dentist is not required to see a dental specialist, including a paediatric dentist. We welcome enquiries directly from families looking for specialist dental care for their children.
My child’s first dental visit
At your child’s first visit, we will introduce your little one to Dr Deb. You will have the opportunity to discuss your questions in a relaxed, child-friendly environment.
We will do a comprehensive check-up with low-dose x-rays taken if needed. As we want your child to feel comfortable at the clinic, the first visit is a consultation only and there is generally no treatment. We will also get an idea of how well your child will cope with future visits, which helps us plan a way forward together.
We want their first visit to be a positive experience for the child, helping them become familiar with the new faces and new environment, and look forward to future dental visits.
What options are there for dental decay?
Did you know that as soon as your baby develops their first tooth, they are at risk of dental decay, or Early Childhood Caries (ECC)?
Dental decay can affect a child of any age. The treatment of dental decay depends on how far it has progressed. Regular dental check-ups are recommended so that dental decay can be detected and managed early.
If the decay is deeper and requires restoration, some of the options include:
White filling (resin composite, resin composite strip crown, glass ionomer cement)
Combination of resin composite and glass ionomer cement
Pre-formed stainless steel crown (silver colour)
Pre-formed white Zirconia crown (these are aesthetic and white in appearance - see below).
In some cases, if the decay is very deep, treatment of the nerve (pulpotomy) may be required in addition to restoration. Dr Deb will discuss what options are best.
As a last resort, sometimes extractions of teeth are required. If you or your little one is missing their front teeth and would like to improve their smile, Dr Deb can assess whether an anterior (front) fixed paediatric bridge (groper appliance) may be suitable.
White aesthetic crowns / Zirconia crowns
Zirconia crowns, or aesthetic crowns, are white in colour and are an alternate, durable option to stainless steel crowns.
Zirconia crowns are metal-free, made of medical-grade ceramic and are a prefabricated, biocompatible dental crown. All decay is removed from the tooth, before the tooth is shaped so that the crown fits neatly on top.
Zirconia crowns require additional, complex preparation of the tooth prior to placement when compared with stainless steel crowns. The technical requirements to achieve the best outcome mean that Zirconia crowns take significantly more treatment time to place correctly. Because of this, Zirconia crowns are only placed under general anaesthesia. More information is available here.
If you are interested in Zirconia crowns for your child, please call our rooms on (03) 7037 5052 so that a consultation can be made. Dr Deb will assess your child’s mouth to start the planning process and to discuss whether white crowns are the best option for your child.
I think my child needs dental treatment under sedation
A range of sedation options are available for your child, depending on your individual child’s needs, the type of treatment required and the number of teeth that need to be treated. We will work together to decide which option best suits your child.
Local anaesthesia with inhalation sedation
Inhalation sedation uses ‘laughing gas’, or nitrous oxide. Dr Deb has extensive experience with inhalation sedation and when appropriate, can result in a safe, pleasant and relaxed dental experience. Children with ‘laughing gas’ may feel like they are floating like a feather.
General anaesthesia
A general anaesthesic (GA) is carried out in a hospital and puts a child into a deep sleep where he or she is unable to feel pain during the procedure.
Although some dental procedures can be carried out without GA, often higher quality dental work can be completed when your child is asleep. In many cases, all dental treatment can be completed in just one visit, resulting in a safer and better experience for the child. This may be an excellent option for young children, those with special needs or if many procedures are required.
Dr Deb is accredited in a number of private hospitals in Melbourne, working with specialist doctors (anaesthetists) and highly trained nursing staff. The GA is a short day-stay procedure in a hospital with excellent paediatric and dental facilities.
My child has special needs
Every child is unique and the dental management of children with special needs should reflect this. Having had the privilege of working at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Dr Deb is very comfortable working with children with special needs and complex medical conditions. Often initial regular short visits are really helpful to allow your child to become familiar with the new dental environment.
Before Dr Deb meets your child, please feel free to contact the practice so we can get to know your child better and make his or her visit more comfortable. Perhaps your child has specific needs, behaviour triggers, likes or dislikes that we can help with? We look forward to meeting you and your child.
What are some other resources for maintaining oral health?
A number of resources are provided by the Australian Dental Association, which contain helpful methods to prevent dental decay and maintain good oral health.