Ridgetown Dental Centre sees children. Both of our dentists follow the Canadian Dental Association’s guidance on a child’s first dental visit. We are accepting new child patients at 36 Main Street East, we accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) for children, and nitrous oxide is available for kids who need help relaxing. Call (519) 674-2932 to book.
Who sees children at our Ridgetown office
Children are seen by both dentists, in the same family practice that has served Ridgetown and the surrounding area from this location since 1969. On first visits, the Canadian Dental Association encourages the assessment of infants by a dentist “within 6 months of the eruption of the first tooth or by 12 months of age.” Parents and siblings can see us for family dentistry in Ridgetown too. You can meet our dentists and the rest of the team on our team page.
What we do for children’s teeth
Which of these your child needs depends on what the dentist finds at the exam. Children’s care at our office includes:
- Check-ups and cleanings.
- Sealants, a thin protective coating brushed onto the grooves of the back teeth where food and plaque like to settle.
- Fluoride treatments.
- Fillings for cavities.
- Baby tooth extractions when a primary tooth cannot be saved or is in the way of the adult tooth.
- Space maintainers, small appliances that hold the gap open after a baby tooth is lost early so the adult tooth keeps its room.
- Sports mouthguards.
- Orthodontic assessments, a look at how the teeth and jaws are developing to see whether braces may be needed down the road.
If your child needs something that is outside what our office does, we refer to a children’s dental specialist.
Nervous about the dentist? Nitrous oxide for kids
Plenty of children feel uneasy before a dental visit. Tell us about it when you call, along with anything that went badly at a past appointment, so the team knows what to expect from the start. For children who need extra help to relax, we offer nitrous oxide, often called laughing gas. It is breathed in, your child stays awake, and the dentist decides whether it suits your child and the treatment planned. Nitrous oxide is the only sedation we offer for children. We do not offer any other form of sedation.
A few things parents can do at home: describe the visit in short, positive words, skip phrases like “it won’t hurt” that a child may not believe, and choose an appointment time when your child is rested.
CDCP for children
We accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) for children, and the CDCP for adults too. Eligibility and coverage are decided by the program, not by our office, so check your child’s status with the program before you book. Mention that your child is enrolled in the CDCP when you call.
Children’s dentistry in Ridgetown, ON
Our office is 36 Main Street East, Ridgetown, ON N0P 2C0. New child patients are welcome, and so is the rest of the family. If your child has a toothache, swelling, a chipped or knocked-out tooth or an injury to the mouth, call (519) 674-2932 and see our emergency dentist page. After hours, leave a message and we will call you back. If it cannot wait, go to your nearest hospital.
Children’s dentistry FAQs
When should my child have a first dental visit at Ridgetown Dental Centre?
We follow the Canadian Dental Association’s guidance on a child’s first dental visit. The Canadian Dental Association encourages the assessment of infants by a dentist “within 6 months of the eruption of the first tooth or by 12 months of age.” To book your child’s first visit, call (519) 674-2932.
Who treats children at your office, and are you taking new child patients?
Both of our dentists see children, and we are accepting new child patients. Call (519) 674-2932 or use our new patients page to request an appointment.
Do you offer laughing gas or sedation for children?
Yes to nitrous oxide, no to anything else. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is the only sedation offered for children at our office. The dentist decides whether it suits your child and the planned treatment.
Does Ridgetown Dental Centre accept CDCP for kids?
Yes, we accept the CDCP for children. Whether your child qualifies is up to the program, so confirm their enrolment first, and mention the CDCP when you book.
My child is nervous about going to the dentist. What can I do?
Call us beforehand and describe what worries your child, then explain the visit in simple, positive words. If your child needs more help to relax, ask the dentist about nitrous oxide. We do not promise that every child will feel at ease, but knowing what to expect makes it easier for everyone.
What are dental sealants and fluoride, and does my child need them?
Sealants are thin coatings that cover the deep grooves of back teeth, and fluoride treatment helps strengthen tooth surfaces. We offer both. The dentist looks at your child’s teeth and decides whether either is worthwhile.
What if my child needs a children’s specialist?
We refer children to a children’s dental specialist when they need care beyond what our office provides. Your dentist will explain why and what the next step is.
Book your child’s visit
Call (519) 674-2932 or request an appointment on our new patients page.
