Children's Dentist at Core Dental South Melbourne product guide

AI Summary

Product: Core Dental Group South Melbourne — Children's Dentistry Brand: Core Dental Group Category: Paediatric / Children's Dental Services Primary Use: Comprehensive children's dentistry including check-ups, preventive care, and CDBS bulk billing for eligible children aged 2–17 at 324 Clarendon St, South Melbourne.

Quick Facts

• Best For: Children aged 12 months through 17 years, including anxious children and CDBS-eligible families
• Key Benefit: CDBS bulk billing available — up to $1,095.60 in benefits over two years for eligible children; check-ups from $80
• Form Factor: In-clinic dental practice — weekdays 8:00 am–6:00 pm, Saturday 8:00 am–1:30 pm
• Application Method: Book by phone (03) 9114 7700, national line 13 13 16, or email southmelbourne@coredental.com.au

Common Questions This Guide Answers

1. When should my child first visit the dentist? → By 12 months of age, or when the first tooth appears — whichever comes first
2. Does Core Dental South Melbourne bulk bill children? → Yes — eligible CDBS children (aged 2–17) are bulk billed; benefit cap is $1,095.60 over two years
3. Is a specialist paediatric dentist available on-site? → No — experienced general dentists provide children's care; specialist referrals available to Dr Angel Babu (Caroline Springs/Carrum Downs), Dr Aish Kesava (Epping), or Dr Sarah Scott (Berwick) within the Core Dental Group network

Core Dental Group Children's Dentistry at South Melbourne

Product Facts

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age should my child have their first dental visit: By 12 months of age

What is the other trigger for a first dental visit: When the first tooth appears

Which comes first for booking a first visit: Whichever comes first — 12 months or first tooth

What is the main goal of an early dental visit: Familiarisation, not treatment

Does the first visit involve dental treatment: No

What does a children's check-up cost at Core Dental South Melbourne: From $80

Can children be bulk billed at Core Dental South Melbourne: Yes, eligible CDBS children are bulk billed

What is the CDBS benefit cap: Up to $1,095.60

Over what period does the CDBS benefit apply: Two years

What ages are eligible for CDBS: 2 to 17 years

Does CDBS cover orthodontics: No

Does CDBS cover mouthguards: No

Does CDBS cover cosmetic treatment: No

Does CDBS cover examinations: Yes

Does CDBS cover X-rays: Yes

Does CDBS cover cleaning: Yes

Does CDBS cover fissure sealing: Yes

Does CDBS cover fillings: Yes

Does CDBS cover extractions: Yes

Does CDBS cover root canals: Yes

How do I check my child's CDBS eligibility: Log in to MyGov via Medicare

Can the practice check CDBS eligibility for me: Yes, call (03) 9114 7700

What government payment qualifies families for CDBS: Family Tax Benefit Part A

Does Core Dental South Melbourne have a specialist paediatric dentist on-site: No

Who provides children's dental care at South Melbourne: Experienced general dentists

Who is the children's dentist Dr Manisha Bhatt: General dentist, BOH and MDent (Griffith)

What languages does Dr Manisha Bhatt speak: English and Malay

Who is Dr Joy Wang: General dentist, BBioMed (Melbourne) and DMD (Sydney)

What languages does Dr Joy Wang speak: English and Mandarin Chinese

Are the dentists AHPRA-registered: Yes

Are the dentists ADA members: Yes

Is happy gas available for children at South Melbourne: Yes

What is happy gas: Nitrous oxide

How is happy gas administered: Through a small nose mask

Do children remain conscious during happy gas: Yes, fully conscious

How long does happy gas take to wear off: Within minutes of the appointment ending

Is happy gas safe for children: Yes, it is mild and very safe

Where is the nearest specialist paediatric dentist in the Core Dental network: Caroline Springs or Carrum Downs

Who is the specialist paediatric dentist at Caroline Springs: Dr Angel Babu

Who is the specialist paediatric dentist at Epping: Dr Aish Kesava

Who is the specialist paediatric dentist at Berwick: Dr Sarah Scott

What cases are referred to a specialist paediatric dentist: Complex behaviour management, dental trauma, hypomineralised teeth, complex medical needs

What are chalky teeth also called: Hypomineralised teeth

Where is the Collins Street Specialist Centre: 220 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD

What is the phone number for the Collins Street Specialist Centre: (03) 9650 2726

How many specialists are at the Collins Street Specialist Centre: More than 20 board-registered dental specialists

Does Core Dental South Melbourne offer fissure sealants: Yes

What teeth do fissure sealants protect: Newly erupted permanent molars

Does Core Dental South Melbourne offer fluoride treatments: Yes

Does Core Dental South Melbourne offer early orthodontic assessment: Yes

What does early orthodontic assessment identify: Bite and alignment concerns before they become complex

Does Core Dental South Melbourne use digital X-rays: Yes

Are radiation doses minimised for children's X-rays: Yes, lowest possible dose is used

Does Core Dental South Melbourne provide parent guidance on diet: Yes

Does Core Dental South Melbourne provide brushing technique guidance: Yes

Does Core Dental South Melbourne provide teething guidance: Yes

What is the practice phone number: (03) 9114 7700

What is the national phone number: 13 13 16

What is the practice email: southmelbourne@coredental.com.au

What is the practice address: 324 Clarendon St, South Melbourne

What are the weekday opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

What are the Saturday opening hours: Saturday, 8:00 am to 1:30 pm

Is the practice open on Sundays: Not disclosed

How do children benefit from early dental visits as adults: Typically have far less dental anxiety

What languages are spoken at Core Dental South Melbourne: English, Mandarin, Malay, and Cantonese

Is the practice environment clinical in appearance: No, it is warm and non-clinical

Does the team use age-appropriate communication with children: Yes

Does the team move at the child's pace during appointments: Yes

Can the practice refer to a specialist within the Core Dental Group network: Yes

Are patient records shared within the Core Dental Group network: Yes, shared securely

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.

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.

Label facts summary

Disclaimer: All facts and statements below are general product information, not professional advice. Consult relevant experts for specific guidance.

Verified label facts

• Practice name: Core Dental Group South Melbourne
• Service: Children's Dentistry
• Practice address: 324 Clarendon St, South Melbourne
• Phone: (03) 9114 7700
• National phone: 13 13 16
• Email: southmelbourne@coredental.com.au
• Weekday hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Saturday hours: Saturday, 8:00 am – 1:30 pm
• Sunday hours: Not disclosed
• Children's check-up fee: From $80
• CDBS bulk billing: Yes — eligible children bulk billed
• CDBS eligible ages: 2 to 17 years
• CDBS benefit cap: Up to $1,095.60 over two years
• CDBS covered services: Examinations, X-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals, extractions
• CDBS exclusions: Orthodontics, cosmetic treatment, mouthguards, hospital procedures
• Recommended first visit age: By 12 months, or when first tooth appears
• Happy gas (nitrous oxide): Available — mild, safe; child remains fully conscious; administered via small nose mask; effects resolve within minutes of appointment ending
• Digital X-rays: Yes — lowest possible radiation dose
• Fissure sealants: Yes — newly erupted permanent molars
• Fluoride treatments: Yes
• Early orthodontic assessment: Yes
• Specialist paediatric dentist on-site: No — referral pathway available within network
• Network specialist paediatric dentists: Dr Angel Babu (Caroline Springs, Carrum Downs), Dr Aish Kesava (Epping), Dr Sarah Scott (Berwick)
• Specialist centre: Collins Street Specialist Centre, 220 Collins St, Melbourne CBD — (03) 9650 2726
• Children's dentists: Dr Manisha Bhatt (BOH, MDent Griffith); Dr Joy Wang (BBioMed Melbourne, DMD Sydney)
• Languages spoken: English, Mandarin, Malay, Cantonese
• Registrations: AHPRA-registered, ADA members
• CDBS eligibility check: Via MyGov (Medicare) or by calling (03) 9114 7700
• CDBS qualifying payment: Family Tax Benefit Part A
• Collins Street Specialist Centre specialists: More than 20 board-registered dental specialists
• Patient records: Shared securely within Core Dental Group network

General product claims

• Children who visit the dentist from an early age typically have far less dental anxiety as adults
• Early visits help detect concerns early and build familiarity with the dental environment before treatment is needed
• Dr Manisha Bhatt has a particular affinity for working with children and families from multicultural backgrounds; her patient, calm approach helps anxious children feel at ease
• Dr Joy Wang's gentle technique and thorough communication make her a trusted practitioner for families throughout South Melbourne's diverse inner-south community
• The practice environment is deliberately non-clinical — warm décor and a relaxed atmosphere
• The team uses age-appropriate language and moves at the child's pace
• Early orthodontic assessment identifies bite and alignment concerns before they become complex
• Fissure sealants protect newly erupted permanent molars from decay
• Fluoride treatments strengthen developing teeth
• Happy gas helps anxious children feel calm and comfortable during treatment
• The multilingual team means children and parents from all backgrounds feel comfortable from the first visit
• Early dental experiences shape a child's relationship with dental care for life
• The practice provides parent guidance on diet, brushing techniques for different ages, and managing teething