Oral health

We routinely measure height and weight in all children as part of a child’s health assessment.

The Northern Sydney Local Health District Oral Health Service provides free general dental care to eligible people living in northern Sydney.

All children under 18 years of age are eligible for free public dental services

To make a dental appointment, call the Health Contact Centre on 1300 732 503. For more information and location details, go to NSLHD Oral/Dental Service.

Dental care for children and young people

Children should have their first dental check up by their first birthday
Children should have regular dental checks to keep their mouth, teeth and gums healthy
Don't wait until your child has a dental problem, such as toothache or pain.

Children and young people with tooth decay can have trouble eating, sleeping and focusing in school
Adults need to help with tooth brushing until their child is about eitght years old
Tooth decay is caused by:

Start brushing when you first see baby's tooth come through - use a kids toothpaste from 18 months of age
Children need to brush their teeth, gums and tongue after breakfast and before bed
Only put a pea size amount of fluoridate toothpaste on your child's toothbrush
Teach your child to spit out after brushing and do not rinse with water
Children sometimes don't want to brush their teeth, so make it fun. Play a song, use a timer or tooth brushing app
Having a routine will help make brushing easier.

Only put breast milk, infant formula or water in a baby's bottle
Take the bottle away once your child finishes drinking
Give your child healthy snacks like cheese, vegetable sticks, fresh fruit, plain yogurt
Minimise foods with added sugars, fats and salt
Only have sweet snacks and drinks sometimes, not every day.

Teach your baby to drink water from a cup from around six months of age
Encourage everyone in the family to drink water - it's free and helps protect teeth from tooth decay
Avoid giving your children drinks with added sugar, like soft drinks, sports drinks or energy drinks.

Children should have their first dental check up by their first birthday
Children should have regular dental checks to keep their mouth, teeth and gums healthy
Don't wait until they have a dental problem (toothache or pain)
All children under 18 years of age who are NSW residents are eligible for free public dental services.

Baby teeth start to come through the gums at around six months of age
By three years, a child has all their teeth - 20 baby teeth
You can use a clean cold cloth, teething ring or other teething product for your baby to chew on. If there are other symptoms, talk to your doctor or child and family health nurse.

Thumb or finger sucking, and using dummies, is normal in young children up to about four years old. If this continues after four years, talk to your dentist or child and family health nurse
Don't dip dummies in anything sweet like honey or jam
Always clean your baby's dummy with water
Never share dummies.