Children's dentistry
Gentle care for young teeth, from the very first visit.
- NHS and private
- Same-day emergencies
- Published fees
- One team, three practices
Calm, Patient-Led Care From the First Tooth
We see children of all ages, from the first tooth through to the teenage years.
Read more: Calm, Patient-Led Care From the First Tooth
The aim of the early visits is simple: that your child grows up unafraid of the dentist. We keep first appointments short, friendly, and free of pressure, letting younger children sit in the chair, look at the mirror, and count their teeth before anything else happens. NHS dental treatment is free for everyone under 18.
A child who associates the dentist with a calm, familiar room is a child who keeps going as an adult. Most of what we do in the early years is about building that habit, not drilling teeth.
When to Start, and Why Early
Bring your child for a first visit by their first birthday, or as soon as the first tooth appears.
Read more: When to Start, and Why Early
There is rarely anything to treat at that age. The point is to get the child used to the surroundings, to check development is on track, and to give you tailored advice on brushing and feeding while habits are still forming. Early visits also let us spot the first signs of decay while it is still reversible.
Decay in baby teeth matters. Baby teeth hold space for the adult teeth coming behind them, and an infected baby tooth can be painful and can affect the adult tooth forming underneath. Looking after them is not optional just because they fall out.
NHS Care Is Free for Under-18s
NHS dental treatment is free for children under 18, and for 18-year-olds in full-time education. That covers check-ups, X-rays where needed, fluoride treatments, fissure sealants, fillings, and extractions. Seeing children regularly from a young age keeps problems small and keeps most treatment to simple, quick visits.
What We Cover
- First visits and routine check-ups
- Fluoride varnish to strengthen enamel and prevent decay
- Fissure sealants on adult back teeth as they come through
- Diet and brushing advice tailored to your child's age
- Fillings and treatment when needed, explained in child-friendly language
- Guidance on thumb-sucking, grinding, and when orthodontics may help
- Mouthguards for children playing contact sport
Prevention at Home
Most childhood decay is preventable, and the habits that prevent it are simple.
Read more: Prevention at Home
For a little brushing-themed fun, play Plaque Patrol. The game is just for fun. Your toothbrush still needs you!
Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, last thing at night and on one other occasion. Children under three need a smear; children three to six need a pea-sized amount. Brush their teeth for them or supervise closely until they are around seven, when they have the dexterity to do it well alone. Spit, do not rinse, so the fluoride stays working.
The bigger lever is sugar, and specifically how often rather than how much. Frequent sugary snacks and drinks keep the teeth under acid attack all day. Keeping sweet things to mealtimes and sticking to water and milk between meals does more for a child's teeth than almost anything else.
Nervous Children
Tell us at booking if your child is anxious or has had a difficult experience before, and we will plan the visit around that.
Read more: Nervous Children
We use simple, honest language, never spring surprises, and let the child set the pace at early appointments. The first visit after a bad experience elsewhere is often just a ride in the chair and a count of the teeth, nothing more.
The Teenage Years
As children move into their teens the focus shifts: monitoring for decay around the changing diet and independence of that age, advising on the orthodontic options if teeth are crowded or out of line, fitting sports mouthguards, and keeping an eye on the wisdom teeth as they begin to appear.
Read more: The Teenage Years
We treat teenagers as the young adults they are, talking to them directly about looking after their own teeth.
Practices Offering Children's dentistry
Nuffield Dental Practice
110–111 The StowHarlowEssex CM20 3AS01279 424 038Church Langley Dental
First Floor, Florence Nightingale Health CentreHarlowEssex CM17 9TE01279 306 690Enfield Smiles
195 High StreetEnfield EN3 4DZ020 8804 4320
Frequently Asked Questions
Book Your Child's Visit
Book your child alongside your own appointment or on their own. Let us know their age and anything we should know about previous visits.
- Nuffield Dental Practice (Harlow): 01279 424 038
- Church Langley Dental (Harlow): 01279 306 690
- Enfield Smiles (Enfield): 020 8804 4320