Your Initial Consultation

Bicton and Cockburn Paediatric Dentistry welcomes all children to our practice whether they are self referred or referred by other Dental practitioners. We pride ourselves in creating a positive First Visit experience. It is understandable that some children are anxious so we establish trust with your child by creating a safe and happy place for them.

Our staff are also very experienced in treating children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, learning difficulties, Sensory Processing Disorder and patients with complex special needs.

Parents are always welcomed and encouraged to participate in the care of their children by coming into the dental treatment areas.


Do I need a referral from my general dentist or medical practitioner?

No referral is needed to see our Paediatric Dentists. However, any recent radiographs taken by your previous dentist may be useful to have prior to your appointment. Please inform our receptionists if you wish to have these radiographs requested from your previous dentist.


Why are baby teeth important?

Maintaining healthy Primary dentition is more important than just aesthetics, speech and function.  The primary teeth are strategically important in guiding the permanent teeth into the correct position.  When primary teeth are lost due to advanced tooth decay, space maintenance is often considered.  This involves the placement of passive orthodontic appliances (space maintainer) to assist in guiding the adult teeth as they erupt.  Preventing severe crowding due to early tooth loss is a common part of Specialist Paediatric Dentistry.

When should my child have their first visit?

The Paediatric Dentists at Bicton and Cockburn, along with the Australasian Academy of Paediatric Dentists recommend that all children should have their first visit around their first birthday. This will provide parents with much appreciated anticipatory guidance regarding feeding habits, finger sucking or dummy sucking habits and oral hygiene advice. Our Paediatric Dentists will also discuss various ‘risk factors’ that may influence your child’s future risk of developing dental caries.  Even at this young age, preventive advice will be tailored to your child in an effort to reduce their future risk of dental caries.

Why treat tooth decay in baby teeth?

Restoring your child’s Primary Dentition is important for a number of reasons. Untreated tooth decay will progressively get worse and ultimately result in pain and infection (dental abscess).  This in turn can affect the development and position of the growing adult tooth.  Untreated tooth decay and space loss from the extraction of primary teeth can result in dental crowding and significant future orthodontic problems.  The presence of untreated tooth decay results in higher bacterial counts within the mouth that also leads to a high risk of recurrent decay of adjacent teeth and future permanent teeth.  Treating dental decay in primary teeth in combination with a customised preventive approach will have positive long term effects on your child’s dental health.