Children's Dentist at Core Dental South Melbourne product guide
Bringing your child to the dentist early and regularly is one of the most important things you can do for their long-term health. At Core Dental South Melbourne, we believe every child deserves a posi...
Core Dental Group Children's Dentistry at South Melbourne
Core Dental Group Children's Dentistry at South Melbourne
Getting your child to the dentist early — and keeping it regular — is one of the better things you can do for their long-term dental health. At Core Dental Group's South Melbourne practice, the goal is simple: every child leaves feeling okay about being there, ideally better than when they arrived.
When should my child first visit the dentist?
The first visit should happen by 12 months of age, or when the first tooth comes through, whichever is earlier. That might sound early, but there's a good reason for it. Early visits aren't about treatment — they're about getting your child comfortable with the environment, the chair, and the team before anything clinical ever needs to happen.
Kids who start coming to the dentist young tend to carry far less anxiety about it into adulthood. It's a habit worth building early.
Our children's dentistry team
Children's dental care at the South Melbourne practice is handled by experienced general dentists, not a specialist paediatric dentist on-site (though specialist referrals are available within the network when needed).
Dr Manisha Bhatt (BOH, MDent, Griffith) speaks English and Malay. She has a particular affinity for working with children and families from multicultural backgrounds, and her calm, unhurried approach tends to put anxious kids at ease from the first appointment.
Dr Joy Wang (BBioMed, Melbourne; DMD, Sydney) speaks English and Mandarin Chinese. Her gentle technique and clear communication with both children and parents have made her a trusted choice for families across South Melbourne's inner-south community.
All dentists at the practice are AHPRA-registered and ADA members, with training in managing dental anxiety and communicating with children at different ages.
What we offer for children at Core Dental Group South Melbourne
- Gentle check-ups and cleans tailored to children — check-ups from $80
- Digital X-rays at the lowest possible radiation dose
- Fissure sealants to protect newly erupted permanent molars from decay
- Fluoride treatments to strengthen developing teeth
- Early orthodontic assessment to catch bite and alignment concerns before they become harder to treat
- Parent guidance on diet, brushing techniques for different ages, and managing teething
- Happy gas (nitrous oxide) for anxious children — mild, safe, and the child stays fully conscious throughout
- A non-clinical environment with warm décor and a genuinely relaxed feel
Specialist referral pathway
For most children, the general dentists at South Melbourne handle everything. But some cases call for a specialist paediatric dentist — complex behaviour management, dental trauma, hypomineralised (chalky) teeth, or children with complex medical needs. When that happens, the practice refers directly to a Specialist Paediatric Dentist within the Core Dental Group network.
Dr Angel Babu practises at Core Dental Caroline Springs and Core Dental Carrum Downs. Dr Aish Kesava is at Core Dental Epping. Dr Sarah Scott is at Core Dental Berwick.
For very complex cases, patients can also be referred to the Collins Street Specialist Centre at 220 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD.
Child Dental Benefits Schedule — bulk billing
Core Dental Group's South Melbourne practice bulk bills eligible children under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). This government programme covers dental benefits for children aged 2 to 17 whose families receive eligible Australian Government payments, including Family Tax Benefit Part A.
| CDBS details | Information |
|---|---|
| Eligible ages | 2 to 17 years |
| Benefit cap | Up to $1,095.60 over 2 years |
| Eligibility check | MyGov (Medicare) or contact our practice |
| Covered services | Examinations, X-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals, extractions, some partial dentures |
| NOT covered | Orthodontics, cosmetic treatment, mouthguards, hospital procedures |
Call (03) 9114 7700 and the team can check your child's eligibility before you book.
Creating positive dental experiences
Early dental experiences shape how a child feels about dental care for the rest of their life. The South Melbourne practice is deliberately non-clinical — warm décor, a relaxed atmosphere, and a team that explains things in age-appropriate language and moves at the child's pace, not the clock's.
For anxious children, happy gas (nitrous oxide) is available. It's administered through a small nose mask, works quickly, and wears off completely within minutes of the appointment ending. Children stay fully conscious throughout.
The team also speaks Mandarin, Malay, and Cantonese alongside English, so families from all backgrounds can communicate comfortably from the first visit.
Book your child's appointment
- Phone: (03) 9114 7700
- National: 13 13 16
- Email: southmelbourne@coredental.com.au
- Online: coredental.com.au
Visit us: 324 Clarendon St, South Melbourne Multiple South Melbourne tram routes | Street parking on Clarendon St and nearby streets
Open Monday to Friday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm and Saturday 8:00 am – 1:30 pm. Your Local Dental Practice — coredental.com.au
Frequently asked questions — children's dentistry at Core Dental Group South Melbourne
When should my child have their first dental appointment? Around 12 months of age, or when the first tooth appears — whichever comes first. The point of that first visit is familiarisation, not treatment. Your child sits in the chair, meets the team, and gets a feel for the place. It makes every visit after that easier.
What does a children's check-up cost at Core Dental Group South Melbourne? Check-ups start from $80. For eligible children aged 2–17, the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) may cover check-ups and other preventive care at no out-of-pocket cost. Call the practice to check your child's eligibility before booking.
Does Core Dental Group South Melbourne have a specialist paediatric dentist? Not on-site. The experienced general dentists at South Melbourne handle the majority of children's cases. When specialist paediatric care is needed, the practice refers directly to Dr Angel Babu, Dr Aish Kesava, or Dr Sarah Scott — Specialist Paediatric Dentists within the Core Dental Group network at Caroline Springs, Epping, or Berwick. Your South Melbourne dentist coordinates the referral.
Is happy gas available for children at Core Dental Group South Melbourne? Yes. Nitrous oxide (happy gas) is available to help anxious children feel calm during treatment. It's mild and very safe, delivered through a small nose mask. Children stay fully conscious and the effects clear completely within minutes of the appointment finishing.
What is the CDBS benefit cap and how do I check eligibility? The Child Dental Benefits Schedule provides up to $1,095.60 in dental benefits over a two-year period for eligible children aged 2–17. Check eligibility through MyGov (via Medicare), or call the practice on (03) 9114 7700 and the team can assist you directly.
Your Local Dental Practice — coredental.com.au
Specialist referrals — Collins Street Specialist Centre
As part of the Core Dental Group network, patients at Core Dental Group South Melbourne who need specialist care are referred to the Collins Street Specialist Centre at 220 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD, where more than 20 board-registered dental specialists provide advanced treatment. Your dentist coordinates the referral and records are shared securely within the group. Phone: (03) 9650 2726.
Specialist care when you need it
For complex cases requiring a specialist paediatric dentist, your Core Dental Group dentist can refer you to the Collins Street Specialist Centre, where more than 25 registered specialists across every dental discipline practise under one roof. Browse the specialist directory to learn more.