Children’s Dentist in Darwin
Gentle, positive dental experiences for kids of all ages. CDBS-eligible families receive a Medicare-claimable invoice at Compass Dental Care, Parap.
Gentle Dental Care for Darwin Children
A positive experience at the dentist during childhood sets the foundation for a lifetime of good oral health. At Compass Dental Care, we understand that every child is different — some are curious and eager, others are nervous or have had difficult experiences elsewhere.
Our approach to children’s dentistry is built on patience, gentleness, and trust. We take the time to get to know each child, explain procedures in age-appropriate language, and never rush or force treatment. For children who are particularly anxious, we offer desensitisation visits where they can simply explore the practice, sit in the chair, and meet the team with no treatment performed.
Led by Dr Thien Pham, our team has extensive experience treating children from their very first visit as toddlers through to their teenage years. We focus on prevention — regular check-ups, fluoride treatments, and fissure sealants — to help your child avoid bigger problems down the track.
What We Offer for Children
Comprehensive paediatric dental care under one roof.
Check-ups & Cleans
Regular examinations and professional cleans to monitor your child’s dental development and catch any issues early. We check for decay, assess bite development, and provide age-appropriate oral hygiene guidance.
Fissure Sealants
A protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth to prevent decay in the deep grooves and fissures that are difficult for children to clean effectively. Quick, painless, and highly effective preventive care.
Fillings & Restorations
If your child does develop a cavity, we use tooth-coloured composite fillings to restore the tooth. We take extra care to ensure the experience is comfortable, using gentle techniques and happy gas when needed.
Happy Gas for Kids
Happy gas (nitrous oxide) is a safe, gentle sedation option for children who feel anxious or nervous. It takes effect within minutes through a small nose mask and wears off quickly after the procedure.
Emergency Care
Knocked-out tooth, toothache, or a dental injury? We prioritise emergency dental care for children and aim to see them the same day. Call us immediately and we’ll make room.
Orthodontic Assessment
We monitor your child’s bite and jaw development as they grow. If we identify alignment issues, we’ll discuss the right time to start orthodontic treatment and refer to a specialist if needed.
Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is a Medicare program that provides up to $1,095 in dental benefits for eligible children aged 0–17 over two consecutive calendar years. Covered services include check-ups, cleans, fillings, X-rays, extractions, and fissure sealants.
How it works at Compass Dental: we are a CDBS-participating provider but we do not bulk-bill. At your child’s appointment you pay the full fee and we give you an itemised invoice listing the Medicare item numbers. You then submit the invoice to Medicare (via the Express Plus Medicare app, your Medicare online account, or at a Medicare service centre) and Medicare reimburses you up to your child’s remaining CDBS cap.
Eligibility is based on your family receiving certain government payments (such as Family Tax Benefit Part A). Medicare sends a CDBS assessment letter to eligible families each year. We can check your child’s eligibility at the time of booking or at the appointment.
For children not eligible for CDBS, we accept all major health funds and process claims on the spot with HICAPS so you only pay the gap. We also offer transparent pricing and can discuss your options before treatment begins.
Visit Us in Parap, Darwin
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Sunday: Closed
Getting Here
Suite 102, 12 Salonika Street
Parap NT 0820
Free parking at The Avenue building
2.5 km from Darwin CBD
Contact Us
Phone: (08) 8995 9530
Email: reception@compassdental.com.au
Book online anytime
Learn More About Children’s Dentistry
Book Your Child’s Dental Visit
A positive start to a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Whether it’s your child’s first ever dental visit or a routine check-up, our team will make them feel safe and comfortable. Book online or give us a call — we’re happy to answer any questions about what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions About Children’s Dentistry
When should my child first visit the dentist?
We recommend bringing your child for their first dental visit from around 12 months of age, or within six months of their first tooth appearing. Early visits are short and gentle — they help your child become familiar with the dental environment and allow us to check that teeth and gums are developing normally. Starting early also gives us the opportunity to provide age-appropriate oral hygiene advice for parents.
Does Compass Dental accept CDBS?
Yes, we’re a CDBS-participating provider for eligible children aged 0–17. We do not bulk-bill. At your child’s appointment you pay the full fee and we give you an itemised invoice listing the Medicare item numbers — you then claim the rebate back from Medicare, up to the $1,095 CDBS cap over two consecutive calendar years. Covered services include check-ups, cleans, fillings, X-rays, extractions, and fissure sealants. We can check your child’s eligibility at the time of booking. For children not eligible for CDBS, we accept all major health funds and process claims on the spot with HICAPS so you only pay the gap.
Does Compass Dental offer happy gas for children?
Yes, we offer happy gas (nitrous oxide) for children who feel anxious or nervous about dental treatment. Happy gas is inhaled through a small nose mask and takes effect within minutes, helping your child feel relaxed and calm during the procedure. It wears off quickly after the mask is removed, and your child can return to normal activities straight away. Happy gas is one of the safest forms of sedation for children and is widely used in paediatric dentistry.
How do you help anxious children at the dentist?
We use a range of techniques to help anxious children feel comfortable. These include tell-show-do (explaining what we’ll do in child-friendly language, showing the tools, then gently proceeding), desensitisation visits where your child can sit in the chair and meet the team with no treatment performed, happy gas for procedural anxiety, and a patient, unhurried approach. Our team is experienced with nervous children and we never force or rush treatment.
Providing gentle children’s dentistry to families across Darwin, Parap, Stuart Park, Fannie Bay, Winnellie, Palmerston, Nightcliff, Casuarina, Rapid Creek, Larrakeyah, and surrounding NT communities.
