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Children are special and have unique needs. The Toothbuds team is specialist-trained to provide the highest level of expertise and the best dental experience for your child to ensure a lifetime of positive dental experiences.

We want every child to grow up smiling, so our treatment recommendations are tailored specifically for the needs of infants, children and adolescents.

Toothbuds Paediatric Dentistry provides the highest standard of care in an accessible environment, catered to the individual needs of each child and their family.

What is a Paediatric Dentist?

A Paediatric Dentist is a dental specialist who has undertaken years of speciality training at leading universities and hospitals to cater to the unique needs of children of all ages and care needs. Think of it like a Paediatrician for teeth!

Paediatric dentists see all children but also have significant specialist training to treat children with special needs, developmental concerns, medical needs, traumatic injuries or advanced dental issues.

Meet Dr Rod Jennings

BDSc (Hons), DClinDent (Paed Dent), MRACDS (Paed Dent)

Dr Rod is a Specialist Paediatric Dentist. Raised in Geraldton, Rod completed both his general dental and specialist Paediatric Dental training at the University of Western Australia (UWA) and Princess Margaret Hospital for Children (WA). He was awarded the inaugural Alistair Devlin Memorial Scholarship, and completed further specialty training at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada.

Dr Rod is also a specialist at the Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) where he works as a Consultant Paediatric Dentist. He is actively involved in furthering the education of colleagues through the University of Western Australia (UWA) and a variety of professional development associations across the country.

Best known for his collection of loud socks, Rod believes a comforting, dependable and easy-going style is often the key to a positive dental experience for children, no matter their age, anxiety or special care needs.

Meet Dr Udit Bhatnagar

BOHDSc, GDipDent, DClinDent (Paed Dent), FPFA

Dr Udit is a Specialist Paediatric Dentist with substantial experience from all around Australia. Having completed his undergraduate training in the Gold Coast in 2010, he returned to his hometown of Sydney to work as a general dentist. He then moved to Melbourne in 2014 to complete his specialist training, where he worked in Australia’s top paediatric hospital for three years. Following this, he returned to Sydney in 2017 to work as a Specialist Paediatric Dentist in private practice as well as a Staff Consultant at Sydney Dental Hospital. After several years of working in Sydney, his family decided to relocate to Perth.

Dr Udit is heavily involved in continuing education, runs multiple training courses each year for general dentists through the Australian Dental Association, provides mentoring to postgraduate students and lectures undergraduate students.

Dr Udit’s calm demeanour, friendly approach and positive attitude allow him to provide a great dental experience for even the most anxious children. With children of his own, he believes that every child is truly unique and perfect in their own way.

First Visit

When you bring your child in for their first dental appointment, the Toothbuds team like to begin by making sure everyone is comfortable (even excited!) to be at the dentist.

We like to take a calm, friendly approach and aim to leave only positive impressions to ensure that your child grows up smiling with a lifetime of positive dental experiences.

When should children start seeing a paediatric dentist?

The Australian Dental Association (ADA), and many other oral health authorities, recommend the best time for your child’s first dental visit is when their first tooth appears or by their first birthday – whichever comes first. 

These early visits help to establish a base for a lifetime of preventive care against decay. Our belief is that if you nurture the growing smiles of children, this forms a foundation for a lifetime of stress-free and positive experiences at the dentist.

Early intervention with children’s dental problems is usually better than waiting for bigger problems to potentially eventuate. Giving your child early exposure to a paediatric dentist helps minimise the risk that they may require stressful treatment at a later stage.

Do I need a referral?

No you don’t. The Toothbuds philosophy is inclusive – we believe that all children should have access to the best possible care. No referral is required to seek our expertise.

What happens during the first appointment?

Usually, your child’s first visit to Toothbuds will involve:

  • A comprehensive examination — a detailed examination of your child’s teeth, gums, jaws and soft tissues of the mouth to ensure they are in excellent health.
  • Oral hygiene instruction and home care — demonstrations of how to best care for your child’s teeth and gums at home.
  • Preventive strategies — tips on how to reduce your child’s risk of dental decay. After all, prevention is better than cure!
  • Growth and development evaluation — an assessment of your child’s ‘bite’, with the aim to prevent or limit the scope of orthodontic problems.
  • An individual treatment plan (if required) — this may involve a  program of preventive management, restorative treatment or supportive strategies to build your child’s confidence and comfort in the dental setting.

The response of children to their first visit can vary considerably. To ensure an appropriate rapport, non-urgent treatment is generally deferred to a subsequent visit.

By building a positive partnership with your family, the Toothbuds team help make sure your children are set for a lifetime of positive dental experiences that help them grow up smiling!

Nervous Patients

At Toothbuds we understand that some children feel nervous about visiting the dentist, even for a simple visit.

Our team employ a range of specialist techniques to provide safe, high-quality care in a calm environment to nurture positive dental experiences.

Customised Care

The Toothbuds team have an intimate understanding of the psychology and management of a child who is apprehensive and are specially trained to use a range of advanced behavioural and anxiety management techniques to reduce the unease associated with a child’s visit to the dentist. 

Nitrous Oxide (happy air)

Toothbuds clinics are specially fitted with nitrous oxide or ‘happy air’ available during treatments. When recommended, ‘happy air’ is inhaled through the nose to facilitate their comfort and a positive experience during a range of routine procedures. 

Nitrous oxide is very safe, and particularly effective for children who are anxious but co-operative. Its effect is readily reversed within a few minutes of treatment completion and does not require lengthy post-treatment observation.

General Anaesthesia

General anaesthesia (GA) may be recommended for young children, those with significant treatment need, developmental or medical issues. A recommendation for this kind of care is made with careful consideration of the individual needs of each patient and family.

Completed as a day surgery under the care of a specialist anaesthetist, treatment under general anaesthesia enables the highest quality care to be delivered in one visit, minimising the risk of a negative or traumatic dental experience.

Special Care

The Toothbuds team is committed to providing the highest standard of care for patients of all ages, and openly welcome patients with special care needs.

Children and adults with a history of developmental delay, sensory issues, autism spectrum disorder, behavioural issues or learning difficulties commonly experience particular difficulties and stress associated with visits to the dentist.

We understand that maintaining the oral health of patients with special needs can be particularly difficult and aim to tailor our care as best as possible to the individual needs of our patients. To discuss how we can best cater for people with special needs, contact the Toothbuds team.

Emergencies and Mouthguards

We’re here to help. Children can fall or injure their teeth at any time and without warning. You can rely on the Toothbuds team to help you out as best we can.

Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency is a situation that requires prompt attention from a dental professional. Teeth can be cracked, chipped or loosened from accidents in ways not visible to the naked or untrained eye, and failure to seek expert care promptly may mean risking avoidable long term damage.

At Toothbuds, we understand that you can’t plan for urgent care. If your child experiences a dental emergency or trauma, contact us as soon as possible. Patients in pain will always receive first priority for appointments and our team will do everything possible to offer our care.

Mouthguards

The best way to avoid a dental emergency when playing sport is to be prepared! We equip our children with appropriate safety gear to play – a custom fitted mouthguard is no different. 

Custom mouthguards offer comfortable, precision fit and allow the wearer to speak and breathe comfortably while playing and help avoid dental emergencies. They offer the best standard of protection for the teeth and gums against major injury.

Contact the Toothbuds team to arrange an impression for your mouthguard and choose one of our many custom design options to suit your personality!

FAQ

The Toothbuds team strives to provide affordable and accessible care. We have several payment options and we bulk bill eligible patients.

Payment in full is required on the day of treatment.

Bulk Bill — Medicare Child Dental Benefits Scheme (CDBS)

At Toothbuds, all children eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Scheme (CDBS) are bulk billed, 100% of the time (as long as there is sufficient balance remaining).
Administered by Medicare, the Child Dental Benefit Scheme (CDBS) provides eligible children with up to $1,013 towards a range of selected dental services over a 2-year period. Dental checks, cleaning, fissure sealants, fillings, extractions and even ‘happy air’ are bulk billed under the Scheme.

To find out more about the Child Dental Benefit Scheme (CDBS), bulk billing and whether your child is eligible, call Medicare on 132 011 or visit the Department of Human Services website.

HICAPS

Toothbuds accepts health fund rebates from major Australian health funds and is a HBF Member Plus provider. These health fund rebates can generally be processed on the day of treatment using our HICAPS facilities.

Interest Free Payment Plans — Denticare

Where extensive treatment is required, Toothbuds partner with DentiCare to offer interest-free deferred payment plans. A convenient and easy way to budget for care, DentiCare plans are simple, flexible and are tailored to suit your needs. 

  • Simple direct debit plan of up to 12 months
  • Interest free
  • No credit checks or complicated finance contracts 

Speak to the Toothbuds team about DentiCare Payment Plans if you would like further information.

EFTPOS / Credit Card / Direct Deposit

Toothbuds accepts payments with all major credit cards and direct bank deposits. Please contact our team for further information.

Contact Us

To contact us by phone, please call us on (08) 6155 9899 or send us an email on the form below.

Our Locations

MORLEY

MIDLAND

BUNBURY

Toothbuds Morley

43 Wellington Road, Morley

Parking: Off-street car parking with full accessibility available off Wellington Road at the rear of the practice.

(08) 6155 9899

Toothbuds Midland

8 The Avenue, Midland
(corner Keane Street and The Avenue)

Co-located with Midland Orthodontists

Parking: free off street car parking available at 10 The Avenue Access to our clinic is through the main entrance on Keane Street

(08) 6155 9899

Toothbuds Bunbury

161 Spencer Street, Bunbury

Off-street car parking with full accessibility available off Clarke Street

(08) 9792 4221