Childsmile

Give your children’s teeth the best dental care with regular check-ups

All dentists who treat children under the NHS offer Childsmile care.

The practice staff and Childsmile staff together with your child’s nursery and school can work together to give the best care for your child.

Your health visitor and dental health support worker can help you find a dental practice that offers Childsmile care.

Registering with a dentist

Aim to register your baby with a dentist soon after birth or at least as soon as the first tooth appears.

From then on, take your child to the dental practice every six months, or as advised by your dental team.

Taking your baby to the dental practice as early as possible helps your child get used to the sights, sounds and smells of a dental practice.

What happens at your dental practice

At the dental practice, you will be given advice and support from the dental team, who will show you how you can stop your child from suffering from tooth decay in the future.

The dental team will:

• give information on how teeth grow and develop and carry out regular checks to make sure the teeth and gums are healthy.
• offer hints and tips on dental care.
• demonstrate and explain toothbrushing.
• promote toothbrushing messages e.g. spit don’t rinse.
• advise on weaning and healthy snacks and drinks.
• provide clinical care including twice yearly fluoride varnish.

At your initial visit it may be the dental nurse you see. The dental nurse will advise you on how to keep your child's teeth healthy and help with practical problems such as teething, weaning and choosing the right food and drinks.

The dentist will check your child’s teeth and gums at least once a year, from around 18 months and give any treatment your child might need. These regular visits will also help your child to become familiar with being examined by a dentist.

From the age of two, the dental practice team can provide additional preventive care, such as fluoride varnish and fissure sealants.