Starting early makes everything easier
Children are born free from dental disease. Yet by adulthood, most people have had some tooth decay, and many have gum disease. Good habits started early make a real difference, and so does a child's first experience of the dentist.
That's why we encourage families to bring children in as soon as their first tooth appears, then for regular check-ups after that.
Why baby teeth matter
It's easy to think baby teeth don't count because they fall out. In fact they do important jobs: they help your child chew, they support speech development and they hold space for the adult teeth coming through behind them. Losing a baby tooth early to decay can affect how the permanent teeth come in.
What happens at the appointment
A first visit is short and gentle. Here's what to expect:
- A friendly welcome. One of our team will greet you both and help your child settle in.
- A careful check. We look at your child's teeth and gums, check for any decay or anything unusual, and make sure everything is developing as it should.
- Treatment only if it's needed. If your child does need treatment, we explain it to you both first, in words your child can understand.
- Tips for home. We'll share simple advice on brushing, snacks and drinks to keep their smile healthy between visits.
For very young children, the visit is often as much about getting used to the chair, the light and the friendly faces as it is about the check itself.
Helping your child feel relaxed
A few small things can help:
- Talk about the visit in a positive, matter-of-fact way, and avoid words like "hurt" or "pain"
- Book a time when your child is usually rested and not hungry
- Bring them along to your own check-up first, so the practice feels familiar
- Let them bring a favourite toy if it helps
Children pick up on how parents feel, so leading by example really does help. We're always happy to give parents brushing tips too.
Costs and membership
A child's dental examination is £38 (excluding X-rays). If a parent is on our Dental Health Plan or Perio Plan, exams for children up to and including age 11 are free. Our Kids Plan, from £10 a month, includes an examination and a hygiene treatment each year, plus an orthodontic assessment and referral if needed. We usually start orthodontic assessments from around age seven.
Book your child's check-up
If your child hasn't been to the dentist yet, or it's been a while, we'd love to meet them. Find out more about children's dentistry or get in touch to book.
Written and reviewed by Dr Colin Houston, BDentSc (Dublin 1992), GDC 68287. Last updated .
