When should my child have their first dental visit?
Your child should have their first dental visit when the first teeth appear in the mouth, or by their first birthday.
The Australian Dental Association recommends first dental visits when the first teeth appear (teeth.org.au). Healthdirect advises a visit by the time the first tooth appears or by the first birthday.
An early appointment is not only for treatment. It gives the dentist a chance to check how the teeth and mouth are developing, look for early signs of decay, and share advice on cleaning, diet and habits such as bottles at bedtime or dummy use. Healthdirect notes that a positive early experience can also help motivate ongoing care (healthdirect).
If you notice dark spots on the teeth, swelling, or your child seems to be in dental pain, book sooner rather than waiting for a birthday milestone. For step-by-step home care by age, see our guide on how to look after your child’s teeth.
What happens at a child’s first visit at AMK?
A first visit for a child at AMK Dental Clinic in Mortlake is a planned appointment to meet the team, review history and check the mouth. It sits within our children’s dentistry care, and it is different from an adult new patient visit.
According to the Australian Dental Association, the dentist will talk with you about your child’s general health and development, diet, behaviours and oral hygiene (teeth.org.au). Questions may cover whether your child takes a bottle to bed, or sucks a thumb, fingers or a dummy, because those habits can affect the teeth and how the mouth develops.
The dentist then looks at the inside and outside of the mouth, including the teeth, tongue, cheeks, gums, lips and throat (teeth.org.au). For an infant or toddler with only a few teeth, that look may not take long, but it still gives useful information. Your dentist will talk through what they see and what to watch for as your child grows.
Depending on age and what is found, the dentist may clean the teeth, apply fluoride, or recommend X-rays (teeth.org.au). Babies and toddlers often sit on a parent’s lap for parts of the visit. If any treatment is recommended beyond that day, you receive an itemised written estimate before it goes ahead. If care is needed outside the scope of a general dental practice, we will talk with you about a referral.
How can I prepare my child (and myself)?
Preparing at home helps many children know what to expect before they walk into the clinic.
The Australian Dental Association suggests talking about what happens at the dentist, playing dentist at home (taking turns as patient and dentist), practising counting teeth with a spoon as a pretend mirror, reading positive dental story books, and watching a cartoon where a favourite character visits the dentist (teeth.org.au). Keep a constructive attitude about the visit. Avoid scary stories, do not use the dentist as a threat, and try not to show your own nerves if you feel them, because children often notice. The ADA also advises against telling a child to “be brave”, which can suggest there is something to fear (teeth.org.au).
Choose a time of day when your child is usually fed and not overdue for a sleep. Pack a familiar comfort item if that helps. Focus the conversation on looking and counting teeth, not on needles or pain. Adult first-visit steps are covered on our new patients page; children’s visits follow the outline above.
What should I bring?
Bring your child’s Medicare card, any health fund extras card, and a list of medical conditions, allergies and medicines. If you have a letter or myGov note about Child Dental Benefits Schedule eligibility, bring that too so reception can check details with you.
Also bring any recent dental records or X-rays from another practice if you have them. For babies and toddlers, a spare nappy, a bottle or snack for after the visit, and a comfort toy or blanket are useful. Arrive a few minutes early so your child can see the waiting area before the appointment starts.
Can we use the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is a Medicare program that can cover part or the full cost of some basic dental services for eligible children aged 0 to 17 (Services Australia).
Eligibility depends on your family’s circumstances and is assessed by Services Australia. We do not invent or confirm eligibility on this page. Ask when you book, and read our Child Dental Benefits Schedule guide for how the program works, what types of services it can cover, and how to check a balance through myGov or Medicare. Program rules can change, so always confirm current details on the Services Australia website.
Book a child’s first visit in Mortlake
AMK Dental Clinic is at Shop 3, 46 Tennyson Road, Mortlake, and sees families from Breakfast Point, Cabarita, Concord and nearby suburbs. To book a child’s first dental visit, call (02) 9739 6525 or use our contact page to book online.
This article is general information only. It does not replace advice from your dentist about your child’s individual needs.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for advice about your own situation. Please speak with a dentist about your needs.
Common questions
What age should my child have their first dental visit?
Book the first visit when the first teeth appear in the mouth, or by the first birthday if teeth have not yet come through. The Australian Dental Association and healthdirect both support an early first appointment. Early visits help the dentist check development and give you advice before problems build up. Call AMK Dental Clinic in Mortlake on (02) 9739 6525 to book.
Will my toddler need X-rays at the first dental visit?
Not always. Whether X-rays are recommended depends on your child's age, how many teeth they have, and what the dentist sees. Many infants and toddlers with only a few teeth do not need X-rays at the first visit. If any imaging or treatment is recommended, your dentist will explain why and give you an itemised written estimate before that care goes ahead.
What if my child is unsettled during the appointment?
It is common for young children to feel unsure in a new place. Tell the team how your child usually settles, and go at a pace that suits them. Some visits focus on looking and talking rather than a full clean. You can sit with your child, including on your lap for babies and toddlers. Ask AMK Dental Clinic about booking a time of day that fits your child's routine.