Children's Dentistry
Gentle Care for Little Smiles
Making every child's dental visit positive, fun and anxiety-free — from their very first appointment.
At Riverside No Gap Dental, we believe every child deserves a positive relationship with dental care — and that starts with their very first visit. Our team is experienced in treating children of all ages, from toddlers having their initial check-up to teenagers managing their developing adult teeth.
We take a non-threatening, minimally invasive approach to all children's treatment. Our goal is to make dental visits feel routine and normal, so that your child grows up with healthy oral habits and no fear of the dentist.
Dr. Shilpa Dhawan has a particular passion for treating anxious patients and uses a patient-focused approach to create a stress-free environment for children and adults alike. We also recommend children attend appointments as part of the family dental visit, making it part of their normal routine from an early age.
Children's Services
- ◆First check-up from 18 months
- ◆Gentle scale and clean
- ◆Fluoride treatments
- ◆Fissure sealants (decay prevention)
- ◆Dental X-rays (when needed)
- ◆White fillings
- ◆Tooth extractions
- ◆Mouthguards for sport
- ◆Parent brushing & diet education
- ◆Bulk bill via Medicare CDBS
Medicare Child Dental Benefits Schedule
Up to $1,052 Free Dental
We bulk bill eligible children under the Medicare Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) — meaning zero out-of-pocket cost for basic dental treatments including check-ups, X-rays, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals and extractions.
Eligible children receive up to $1,052 in benefits over a two-year calendar period. Eligibility is reassessed each calendar year.
To be eligible, your child must be aged 2–17 years, be eligible for Medicare, and receive (or be part of a family receiving) certain Australian Government payments.
Age Range
2 – 17 years
Benefit Cap
$1,052 per child
Benefit Period
Over 2 calendar years
Cost to You
Nil — we bulk bill
Advice for Parents
Caring for Your Child's Teeth
Start Early
Begin bringing your child to the dentist around 18 months. Early visits build familiarity, allow us to monitor development, and give us the chance to advise on diet and brushing habits before problems arise.
Make It Routine
Bring your child along to your own dental appointments so they see it as normal. Children who grow up associating dental visits with everyday routine are far less likely to develop dental anxiety later in life.
Brush Together
Brush your child's teeth for them until around age 7–8, then supervise until they have the dexterity to brush properly themselves. Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste twice a day.
Watch Sugar Intake
Frequent sugary snacks and drinks are a leading cause of childhood tooth decay. Limit sugary foods to mealtimes, encourage water as the main drink, and avoid sugary drinks in bottles or sippy cups.
Protect with Sealants
Fissure sealants are a thin protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth. They significantly reduce the risk of decay in the deep grooves of molars — particularly effective in children.
Wear a Mouthguard
If your child plays contact or collision sports, a custom-fitted mouthguard is one of the best investments you can make. Custom guards offer far superior protection compared to generic shop-bought options.
Book Today
Your Child's First Visit Starts Here
Call us to book an appointment or check your child's CDBS eligibility. Located at the Health and Wellbeing Centre, 1 Windsor Drive, Riverside TAS 7250.