Your child's dental care

In this section:

What dental care is available for pre-school children?

The Community Oral Health Service provides yearly dental checks and follow up support for babies and children starting at 6 months of age.

Why is dental care so important?

It is important to look after your child’s teeth right from the time their baby teeth start to appear – usually at around 6 months. 

Baby teeth are needed for chewing, proper speech development, proper growth of your child’s face and jaw, and for saving space for adult teeth.

How do I sign up?

Usually your midwife will help you enrol your baby with your local Community Oral Health Service at birth, or soon after.

If your baby or child hasn’t been enrolled it’s not too late.

You can enrol anytime by phoning 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583).

How much does it cost?

Your child is entitled to free oral health care until they turn 18.

Does the dental service come to my early learning service?

No, you will need arrange and take your child to their appointments. 

Your Community Oral Health Service will tell you where to go when they arrange the appointment.

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