Children's Dentistry
When a dentist visit feels like more than your child can manage
We help children feel safe, supported and understood, even when dental care is difficult.
Prefer to chat first? Call the clinic on 03 9035 5180
Get started with children's dentistry
Tell us what's going on and we'll be in touch.
WHEN TO GET HELP
Recognising when your child needs extra support
Many children see their regular dentist without needing anything more. But some need extra time, a different approach or additional expertise. Reach out if:
- your child finds dental visits distressing or hard to manage
- a disability, medical condition or developmental need makes routine dental care difficult
- a dental problem is complex, urgent, or hasn't responded to routine treatment.
Things you may have noticed
Your child becomes distressed or anxious before or during dental visits.
A disability or medical condition makes routine dental care more complex.
An injury or dental problem needs more than one kind of specialist.
A developmental condition is affecting your child's teeth.
Routine treatment hasn't worked, and it's not clear why.
A sudden change in how your child copes with dental visits.
What is children’s dentistry?
Paediatric dentistry is dental care designed specifically for children. It’s delivered by dentists with extra training in children's teeth, development and behaviour. At MTHC Dental, care is provided by A/Prof Mihiri Silva and by qualified dentists working towards paediatric specialisation, under close supervision.
SUPPORT BEYOND ROUTINE CARE
How children’s dentistry can help
Not every child needs ongoing specialist care. Sometimes it's extra time or a different approach for a single visit. Sometimes it's more involved, longer-term support. Either way, the aim is to make dental care easier and calmer.
Flexible, unhurried appointments
Extra time and a considered approach for children who find visits hard.
Coordinated, complex care
On-site access other specialist dental services and nitrous oxide sedation for when a child needs more than one kind of care.
Care that grows with your child
From an infant’s first visits through developmental monitoring, working alongside your family's regular dentist.
You don’t need a problem to visit a children’s dentist
Many families wait for a reason to see a dentist. International guidelines recommend children start seeing a dentist from around 12 months old, or when their first tooth appears. Early visits help build good habits and let us pick up on anything that needs attention while it's still simple to manage.
HOW WE WORK
Our approach
Flexible and neuroaffirming care
Connected specialist dental services in one location
Evidence-based and research-informed
TAKE THE FIRST STEP
Getting started with children's dentistry
If you’re not sure if paediatric dentistry is right for your child, the best first step is to start a conversation.
- Get in touch: call, email or send an enquiry. No referral needed.
- First appointment: we'll take time to understand your child and what they need.
- A plan that fits: we'll agree on the right approach together and keep your regular dentist informed as needed.
How to refer
Information for professionals
MTHC Dental provides paediatric dental care for children of all ages. Led by A/Prof Mihiri Silva, we support children who find routine dental care difficult due to anxiety, disability, complex medical needs or developmental conditions.
Our team works alongside a child's existing dentist to provide short-term care for a specific problem, or an ongoing shared-care arrangement if required.
- A child is anxious or distressed about dental visits.
- disability or medical condition makes routine care difficult.
- A complex dental problem or injury needs more than one dental specialty.
- A developmental condition is affecting a child's teeth and the long-term plan isn't clear.
- Routine treatment hasn't worked and it's not obvious why.
- We'll contact the family and arrange an initial appointment.
- We'll assess the child and confirm the right approach.
- We'll manage the specific problem and hand care back or set up an ongoing shared-care arrangement for conditions that need monitoring over time.
How we work with you
We'll keep you updated on your patient. We won't refer a child on to another specialty without letting you know first. If you're ever unsure whether a referral makes sense, you're welcome to contact us directly for a quick conversation.
Phone: 03 9035 8402
Email: aud-reception@unimelb.edu.au
How to refer
The specialist leading your child’s dental care
Mihiri Silva
Associate Professor in Paediatric Dentistry
A/Prof Mihiri Silva is a specialist paediatric dentist and academic at MTHC: Dental, whose research focuses on childhood dental disease, including dental caries and molar incisor hypomineralisation. Her work connecting early childhood experiences to children's dental health, and translating that into clinical and community interventions, is internationally recognised.
One connected system of care
MTHC is where healthcare, education and research come together
SUPPORT FOR CHANGING NEEDS
A connected system of care
We offer a range of services to support people across different health needs and stages of life. You can move easily between services as your needs change, without starting from scratch each time.
PURPOSE‑LED HEALTHCARE
A subsidiary of the University of Melbourne
We're a not-for-profit healthcare organisation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the University of Melbourne. This means high-quality, evidence-informed care for you and your family.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral?
No. Families can contact us directly. GPs, dentists and other professionals can also refer.
What ages do you see?
We see children from birth through to 18 years old. You don't need to wait for a problem to bring your child in, with international guidelines recommending a first visit from around 12 months old, or when their first tooth appears.
How is this different from a regular dentist visit?
Paediatric dentistry is delivered by dentists with extra training in children's teeth, development and behaviour, with more time and a more flexible approach for children who find dental care difficult or have more complex needs.
What if my child needs more than one type of dental care?
Some children need care from more than one dental specialty at once, for example, orthodontics for tooth alignment or endodontics for treatment inside the tooth. Because these specialists work on-site at MTHC Dental, we can plan and coordinate this care together, rather than sending your child between separate practices.
What if my child needs sedation or a general anaesthetic?
We offer the full range of children's dental treatment, including nitrous oxide sedation and, where needed, a pathway to general anaesthesia.
How much does it cost?
MTHC Dental is a private, fee-for-service clinic. Because care is tailored to each child, costs vary depending on what's needed. Families with private health insurance may be eligible for a rebate depending on their policy. The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is also available for eligible families. Get in touch and we can talk through what applies for your child.
Can my child's regular dentist stay involved?
Yes. We work alongside your child's existing dentist rather than replacing that relationship, and we'll keep them updated as needed.
Is this a teaching clinic?
Care is provided by A/Prof Mihiri Silva and by qualified dentists working towards paediatric specialisation, under close supervision.
Contact Us
MTHC: Dental
Level 1, 723 Swanston St,
CARLTON VIC 3053
Phone: 03 9035 8402
Fax Number: 03 7065 0232
Email: mdc-bookings@unimelb.edu.au
Opening hours
Monday to Friday
8:30 am to 5.00 pm
Saturday
8.30am to 12.30pm
Closed public holidays
After hours and emergencies
If you have a dental emergency outside of our opening hours, you can contact the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne, (03) 9341 1000