Looking for a dentist your child feels comfortable seeing? Complete Dental Care provides warm, experienced children’s dentistry from our practice on St Kilda Road, Melbourne, helping families build healthy dental habits from the very first visit. The Melbourne 3004 and St Kilda Road corridor is a professional, couples- and singles-heavy catchment children make up a smaller share of the community here than they do nationally (around one in ten local residents are aged 0–14*, compared with roughly one in five across Australia). Because of that, our focus with young patients is less about volume and more about giving each child considered, individual attention. For the families raising children across South Yarra, Albert Park and Middle Park, finding a dentist who understands how to work with children makes all the difference and it’s something our whole team takes seriously.

What does children’s dentistry involve?

Children’s dentistry focuses on looking after infants, children and teenagers as their teeth develop, with an emphasis on general and preventive care, and restorative treatment when it’s needed. This typically includes cavity prevention, fluoride treatments, fissure sealants, monitoring how the teeth and jaws are growing, and support for children who feel anxious about visiting the dentist.

At Complete Dental Care, children are seen by experienced clinicians including Dr Simon Wong (BDSc Melb, MACNEM, FICCDE), whose areas of focus include children’s dentistry, preventative dentistry and facial growth guidance, supported by our dental hygienists and patient care team. The aim is a friendly, calm environment that helps children build positive dental habits early, setting the foundation for good oral health as they grow.

This early groundwork matters more than many parents realise. A child’s first few dental visits often shape how they feel about oral healthcare well into adulthood, which is why our approach centres on patience, clear communication and an unhurried environment from the very first check-up.

Our children’s dentistry services on St Kilda Road

  • Preventive care — regular check-ups, cleans and fluoride treatments to help maintain your child’s oral health.
  • Dental anxiety support — gentle, unhurried techniques to help ease nerves and build trust with young patients.
  • Fissure sealants & mouthguards — protective coatings to reduce cavity risk, and custom mouthguards to help protect teeth during sport.
  • Early growth & orthodontic guidance — monitoring how the teeth and jaws are developing, with a pathway into orthodontics or clear aligner treatment if it’s needed as your child gets older.

Each of these is delivered with the same underlying goal: helping your child feel safe and supported at every stage of their care. Rather than treating a dental visit as something to get through, we aim to make it something children can approach with curiosity rather than apprehension which, in turn, makes ongoing preventive care easier to maintain as they grow. Many parents find that once their child has a few positive visits behind them, future appointments become noticeably easier for everyone involved.

Why local families choose Complete Dental Care for children’s dentistry

Complete Dental Care is a Melbourne-based, multidisciplinary practice led by principal dentist Dr Adam Keyes-Tilley (BDSc Melb, FRACDS, FICCDE), who brings more than 30 years of clinical leadership. For families, one practical benefit of that breadth is continuity: the same practice that looks after your child’s check-ups and preventive care can guide them into orthodontics, clear aligner treatment or restorative care later on, without starting over somewhere new.

We create a welcoming environment where children feel at ease, with age-appropriate care built around each child’s comfort and stage of development. Integrated hygiene and preventative care, modern digital technology, and a dedicated patient care coordination team led by Helen Barbas all sit under one roof, so appointments are organised and easy to navigate.

Our practice is open Monday to Thursday, 8:00am–5:00pm, and Friday, 8:00am–2:00pm. Appointments for children are made by arrangement within those weekday hours, and our patient care team is happy to help you find a time that works.

How children’s dentistry works at our St Kilda Road practice

Step One

Consultation:

Your child’s dental journey begins with a friendly consultation, where we assess their oral health, take any necessary x-rays, and take the time to discuss their needs with you.

Step Two

Personalised plan:

Based on the consultation, we develop a plan focused on routine check-ups, prevention and education — and, where relevant, a referral pathway for orthodontics or clear aligner treatment in later years — while addressing any specific concerns identified during the visit.

Step Three

Treatment:

From routine cleans to fillings and, where necessary, extractions, our team provides gentle, age-appropriate care to help keep your child’s teeth healthy.

Throughout each step, we explain things in a way children can understand, using simple language and, where it helps, showing them the tools involved before any treatment begins. This helps reduce uncertainty and gives your child a sense of control, which often makes a noticeable difference to how comfortable they feel during and after their appointment.

Is children’s dentistry right for your family?

Every child’s dental needs are a little different, and our team is happy to talk you through what to expect if you’re unsure whether it’s time to book. Some children are relaxed about the process from the start; others need a little more time and reassurance. Either way, our approach is designed to meet your child where they are.

Consider booking an appointment if your child has:

tooth pain or visible cavities

concerns about teething, alignment or thumb-sucking habits

never had a dental check-up before.

How it can help:

supports strong, healthy teeth and gums while helping prevent future issues

provides guidance on oral hygiene for both children and parents

creates a positive, low-stress dental experience.

Particularly suited to:

parents wanting to keep their children’s oral health on track

children needing preventive care, cleans or general treatment and older children or teens who may be considering a clear aligner or orthodontic consultation

families across Melbourne 3004, South Yarra, Albert Park and Middle Park looking for a considered, experienced children’s dental team.

Helping your child keep a healthy smile

Our team focuses on care that supports comfort and function, with every plan built around your child’s individual needs. Outcomes vary from child to child and are always discussed with you in full during the consultation.

We also understand that some children feel nervous about visiting the dentist, and we don’t take that lightly. Our team is experienced in recognising the signs of dental anxiety and adjusting accordingly whether that means taking things more slowly, explaining each step in advance, or simply giving a child more time to feel comfortable in the chair. Our goal is for every child to leave feeling at ease rather than dreading their next visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age should my child first see a dentist?

Most dental guidance, including from the Australian Dental Association, suggests introducing children to the dentist early often around their first birthday, or once their first teeth appear. Early visits help children become familiar with the environment and allow us to monitor development from the outset.

What are your opening hours, and do you offer weekend appointments?

Our St Kilda Road practice is open Monday to Thursday, 8:00am–5:00pm, and Friday, 8:00am–2:00pm. We’re closed on weekends, so children’s appointments are arranged within our weekday hours our patient care team is happy to help you find a suitable time.

Can I use private health extras or the Child Dental Benefits Schedule for my child’s dental care?

Many families use private health extras cover, or the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), towards routine children’s dental visits. Rebates depend on your individual level of cover or your eligibility for the CDBS, so we’re happy to help you understand what applies and provide an estimate before treatment begins.

Where are you located, and how do I get there?

We’re on the ground floor at 468 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004, easy to reach from South Yarra, Albert Park and Middle Park, and well positioned along the St Kilda Road corridor.

What if my child feels nervous about the dentist?

This is very common, and our team is experienced in helping nervous children feel more at ease. We take a gentle, unhurried approach and are happy to arrange a short introductory visit so your child can settle in before any treatment is needed.

*Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 2021 Census of Population and Housing — combined catchment: Postal Area 3004 + SA2 South Yarra – West (206041125) + SA2 Albert Park (206051128). Source of the demographic context cited (share of residents aged 0–14).