Certain Hospital and Extras benefits have changed from 1 January 2024. You can learn more about the Benefit Changes and how they may apply to you here.

Kids dental

Children should start going to the dentist soon after they get their first tooth. This normally happens at around 12 months old. We recommend you bring your child with you to your regular check-up and clean appointments, prior to their first appointment. This will help them become familiar with the dentist and accustomed to the sights, sounds and smells of the clinic.

Kids can start developing dental decay from as young as two years old.

Some of the risk factors for decay can include:

  • Over exposure to sugary drinks
  • Drinking milk late at night e.g. breast-feeding on demand or bringing a bottle of milk to bed
  • Frequent snacking or grazing on sugary foods
  • Poor oral hygiene

It’s important that children have regular visits to the dentist. At each visit, our team will assess your child’s development and dental health. This can prevent decay from progressing and help  avoid more complicated treatments later on.

Australian Dental Association Fact Sheets

Terrible teething – Soothing your teething tot

Tooth decay – Does your child have this disease?

When should my child first see the dentist?