Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Paediatric Dentistry

Yes, we accept CDBS.

However, we do not bulk bill CDBS.

At Providence Dental Care, we are proud to support families who are eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.

We believe in being very clear and upfront about how this works, so there are no surprises.

How does payment work?

Payment is made in full on the day of your child’s appointment, and we process your Medicare claim immediately after.

This means you will need to have the funds in your account to pay before the claim can be settled by Medicare. Payment is the same process you would experience when visiting a non-bulk billing GP or medical specialist.

Once the claim is submitted:

• Most rebates are received within an hour
• In some cases, it can take up to 48 hours
• This timing is controlled by Medicare, not by our practice

How much does CDBS cover?

CDBS provides up to $1,158 per eligible child over a 2-year period.

In most cases, it will cover approximately 40% to 80% of treatment costs, depending on the procedures required.

Any difference between the Medicare rebate and our fees is an out-of-pocket cost.

First appointment cost cap

We cap all first appointments at $350 before any Medicare or health fund rebates to make sure you know the maximum amount that the appointment will cost. This includes the examination, x-rays, and hygiene treatments.

• For a first examination visit, you will not pay more than $350 
• You usually will pay less, depending on the services provided and your rebate

Early visits are important

Children should have their first dental visit by their first birthday, or when their first tooth appears, whichever comes first.

What we check

Early dental visits are not just about checking for cavities. They help us monitor how your child’s teeth, gums and jaws are developing, identify any early concerns, and give parents practical advice around brushing, toothpaste, feeding habits, dummies, bottles, thumb sucking and teething.

Building familiarity

These early visits also help children become familiar with the dental environment in a calm and positive way. When a child’s first visit is simple and gentle, rather than because they are already in pain, it can make future dental visits much easier.

Most children need regular visits

Most children should see the dentist every three to six months for a check-up, clean and preventive care.

The timing depends on your child

The right interval depends on your child’s individual risk factors. Some children are very low risk and may only need routine monitoring, while others may benefit from more frequent visits due to decay risk, enamel defects, crowding, diet, brushing difficulties, medical conditions, orthodontic concerns or previous dental problems.

Prevention and early detection

Regular visits allow us to detect issues early, provide preventive care where needed, and guide parents on how to keep their child’s teeth healthy between appointments.

Specialist training

A paediatric dentist is a registered dental specialist. They must first graduate as a general dentist and work for a number of years before typically sitting further competitive exams to apply for a place in a specialist training program. They then complete a further 3 years of training at university and in specialist hospital settings like the Adelaide Women's and Children's Hospital or the Melbourne Royal Children's Hospital. They then graduate with a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Paediatrics) with the highest possible qualification in their field.

Focused on children’s dental care

This training focuses specifically on the oral health of infants, children, teenagers, and children with special healthcare needs. Paediatric dentists are highly trained in child development, behaviour guidance, dental trauma, growth and development, complex dental treatment under sedation or general anaesthetic, and the management of more complex dental conditions in children. They are the most capable and highly qualified people to look after the oral health of all children.

When a paediatric dentist may be helpful

General dentists with an interest in paediatrics often provide excellent care for many children, but a paediatric dentist has significant additional training for children who need more specialised care, are very young, anxious, medically complex, have developmental needs, or require more involved dental treatment. Many Paediatric dentists prefer to see children who need that extra special care, taking new patients primarily by referral from general dentists. We welcome parents who feel their children would benefit from the extra care a Paediatric specialist can provide to reach out directly to the practice or to get a letter of referral from their regular dentist instead.

Book an appointment with a general dentist

If your child has a toothache, it is best to book an appointment so the tooth can be properly assessed. A general dentist will be able to assess and manage many instances. If there is a need for further management, they can internally refer you to a paediatric specialist like Dr. Meg.

A toothache can have many causes

Toothache in children can happen for many reasons, including decay, food packing between teeth, a loose baby tooth, gum inflammation, trauma, cracks, or infection. Sometimes children cannot clearly explain where the pain is coming from, so an examination and X-rays may be needed to find the cause.

When it may be urgent

If your child has facial swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, or appears very unwell, this may require urgent medical or dental attention. Pain that comes and goes should still be checked, as dental infections can worsen if left untreated.

Yes, baby teeth matter

Baby teeth are very important, even though they eventually fall out. They guide the growth and function of the jaws. Early loss of baby teeth leads to jaw development and skeletal growth issues.

Baby teeth support growth and development

Baby teeth help children chew properly, speak clearly and smile with confidence. They also hold space for the adult teeth developing underneath. If a baby tooth is lost too early due to decay or infection, nearby teeth may drift into the space and make it harder for the adult tooth to come through properly.

Infection can affect comfort and development

Infection in a baby tooth can also cause pain, swelling and difficulty eating or sleeping. In some cases, infection around a baby tooth may affect the developing adult tooth underneath. Keeping baby teeth healthy helps support your child’s comfort, development and long-term oral health.

Daily habits make the biggest difference

Cavities can often be reduced with consistent daily habits and regular preventive care.

Brushing, diet, and fluoride

The most important steps are supervised brushing with fluoride toothpaste, limiting frequent snacking, reducing sugary drinks, encouraging water as the main drink, and attending regular dental check-ups. For younger children, parents usually need to help with brushing because children do not have the coordination to clean thoroughly on their own.

Preventive care can help

Preventive treatments may also be recommended depending on your child’s risk. These can include professional cleans, fluoride treatments, fissure sealants, diet advice, brushing support, and monitoring of early enamel changes before they become larger cavities.

Yes, when used appropriately

Dental X-rays are considered safe for children, with modern X-rays having very low levels of radiation. That said, we still aim to minimise the amount to the lowest amount reasonably achievable. 

Why X-rays may be needed

Dental X-rays use very low levels of radiation and are only taken when they are needed to help diagnose or monitor something that cannot be seen properly during a visual examination. For example, X-rays can help detect decay between teeth, assess infection, check tooth development, review trauma, or monitor adult teeth that are developing underneath the gums. Their particular benefit is seeing everything that our eyes can't, and so many things in dentistry occur invisibly. X-rays are paramount to being able to diagnose and treat disease.

We only take X-rays when needed

We only recommend X-rays when the benefit of the information outweighs the very small radiation exposure. The type and timing of X-rays depends on your child’s age, symptoms, dental history, and risk of decay.

A gentle introduction

Your child’s first dental visit is usually gentle, calm and focused on making the experience positive, whilst still gathering the information that we need to make a diagnosis and ongoing plans.

What the appointment may include

Depending on your child’s age and comfort level, the appointment may include a check of the teeth, gums, bite and jaw development. We may also discuss brushing, fluoride toothpaste, diet, thumb sucking, dummies, bottles, teething, trauma prevention and what to expect as your child grows.

For younger or nervous children

If needed and appropriate, we may take X-rays or complete a gentle clean. For very young or nervous children, the first visit may be more about building trust, helping them become comfortable in the dental chair and giving parents clear guidance.