Frequently
Asked Questions
Dr. Linda is Victoria’s only dual-qualified paediatric dentist and registered conscious sedationist. With her advanced training, and warm, gentle approach, she provides expert dental care tailored to children of all ages - including those with additional needs or medical complexities.
As the principal paediatric dentist at My Kids Dentist, Dr. Linda leads a team that works closely with other paediatric medical and dental specialists and allied health experts dedicated to partnering with children and their families to achieve the best possible health and well-being.
Our practice is dedicated to supporting each child’s unique developmental needs, advocating for their health, and delivering exceptional paediatric dental care in a safe and reassuring environment.
A Specialist Paediatric Dentist is a dental professional who has completed an additional three years of full-time specialist training after becoming a general dentist. This advanced training takes place in hospitals and university clinics under the supervision of experienced dental and medical specialists, giving paediatric dentists extensive expertise in caring for the oral health of infants, children, and adolescents—including those with complex medical or developmental needs.
A Paediatric Dentist must register their specialist qualification with the Dental Board in their jurisdiction and is registered as a specialist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). AHPRA lists registered oral health therapists, hygienists, dentists and specialists in Australia. You can check the registration and qualifications of clinicians online at www.ahpra.gov.au.
While general dentists, oral health therapists, and dental therapists may treat children and often have valuable experience in doing so, only those who have completed specialist paediatric dental training and are registered as such can use the title "Paediatric Dentist." This ensures parents can feel confident their child is receiving care from someone with focused expertise in children’s dental development and needs.
No referral is needed to book an appointment with Dr. Linda. You’re always welcome to contact us directly to schedule your child’s visit.
That said, if your child’s doctor, paediatrician, or general dentist has recommended specialist care, you’re encouraged to bring any referral documents along to help us provide the best personalised treatment.
Whether your child is treated in our dental clinic or in a hospital setting depends on several factors, including:
Your child’s age and stage of development
The type and complexity of the treatment needed
The length of the procedure
Your child’s anxiety levels or ability to cope with treatment
The focus is that your child feels as stress-free and as calm as possible during his/her treatment. We prioritise the comfort and safety to provide the best care possible for our nervous children. The highest quality and care is available in-office using nitrous oxide (happy gas), oral sedation, or under general anaesthesia at private hospitals.
Many children are successfully treated in our Northcote clinic, where we offer a range of gentle behaviour management techniques, including:
Nitrous oxide (happy gas)
Oral sedation
Short in-chair procedures in a child-friendly, reassuring environment
For children who are particularly anxious, very young, or require complex or multiple procedures, Dr. Linda may recommend treatment under General Anaesthesia in a hospital setting.
Dr. Linda has operating rights at Wyndham Day Surgery and Monash Children’s Hospital (Sir John Monash), where she works closely with a highly experienced team of paediatric anaesthetists and nursing staff to ensure your child’s safety and comfort throughout the entire process.
Whatever the setting, we’ll guide you every step of the way and tailor the care to your child’s individual needs.
Yes, we do use ‘happy gas’ otherwise known as Nitrous Oxide.
Our focus is on providing a gentle, calming approach to make young patients comfortable during dental procedures, helping to reduce pain, anxiety, and even manage issues like a sensitive gag reflex.
While we have extensive experience dealing with children with different needs, and many strategies to help relieve anxiety during your child’s dental visit, there are cases where, together with you, our team will decide to use ‘happy gas’.
No, you should not be worried. Our recommendation is to book in a consultation with a specialist paediatric dentist who will be able to review your child and give you the most up to date, safest advice for your child.
Our clinic is located in Melbourne at:
My Kids Dentist 334B High Street, Northcote VIC 3070
You'll find us near the corner of Separation Street and High Street, just a short walk from Northcote Plaza. We're easily accessible from surrounding suburbs including Clifton Hill, Thornbury, Preston, Coburg, Ivanhoe, Richmond, Kew, and Brunswick.
At My Kids Dentist, we specialise exclusively in children’s dental care - from toddlers to teens. Our purpose-built, child-friendly clinic offers a calm and welcoming environment designed to help kids feel at ease. We provide a full range of paediatric dental services, from regular check-ups and preventive care to more complex treatments such as restorations, extractions, nerve therapy, and space management. Emergency dental services are also available.
Absolutely. Baby teeth play a crucial role in helping children eat, speak, and smile confidently. They also guide the proper alignment of adult teeth and support healthy jaw development.
Keeping baby teeth healthy sets the foundation for lifelong oral health.
It’s very common for children to feel nervous - especially at first. At My Kids Dentist, we take a calm, child-friendly approach to help kids feel safe and comfortable.
Dr. Linda and our team are specially trained in behaviour guidance techniques, and we allow time for your child to build trust at their own pace. Our clinic is designed with a welcoming, non-threatening atmosphere to help reduce fear and make dental visits a positive experience.
Not all children need sedation for dental treatment - but for those who do, Dr. Linda is uniquely qualified to provide it safely. As a registered conscious sedationist, she can offer in-chair sedation (like happy gas or oral sedation) for children who are very anxious, or require complex procedures.
We always discuss sedation options with you in detail and tailor care to your child’s specific needs, with their safety and comfort as our top priorities.
No referral is required - you’re welcome to book directly with us. However, we also receive referrals from GPs, paediatricians, general dentists, and other health professionals who want their young patients to benefit from specialist care.
If your child has a referral, please bring it along to your first appointment.