Our Services
Children’s Dentist
Compassionate Dental Care for Busy Families in the Riverina
We believe every child deserves to look forward to their dental visit with genuine excitement—like their birthday or school holidays. Our goal is to make it a fun, positive experience that becomes one less thing for you to worry about as a busy parent. When your child walks in, you can rest assured they’ll receive compassionate, personalised care from a dental professional who understands their unique needs and communicates with honesty and hope. Because when children feel safe and well cared for, they’re happy—and so are you.
First Time Visits – Let's Make This Comfortable
Whether your child is visiting the dentist for the first time or had a less positive experience elsewhere, we understand how important it is to get it right. Our team brings genuine expertise in working with children, and we’re committed to making their comfort our priority.
Parents often tell us they’re amazed: “My child actually sat in the chair and opened their mouth—they’ve never done that before!” When we take time to put your child at ease, we can properly assess and treat their teeth, and they’ll actually look forward to their next visit.
Beyond the checkup itself, at every appointment we chat through oral care together in a fun, judgment-free way. We help you discover a toothpaste your child genuinely enjoys (hello, non-minty options!), build those twice-daily brushing habits, and spot any future concerns early—like teeth that might benefit from straightening. No surprises, just honest conversations about what’s happening now and what we might manage together down the track.
We’re also trained in neurodiversity affirming practices and work with children who have additional sensory needs, because we believe everyone deserves compassionate, personalised dental care that works for their unique needs.
We’d love to welcome you and your child for a visit that feels calm, supportive, and genuinely helpful. We’ve been privileged to care for countless families across the Riverina, and we’re here to make oral health less stressful and more accessible for yours.
Services include
Check-ups and preventionDental trauma careExtractionsWhite fillingsEmergency appointmentsSupport for children with additional sensory needsTreatment under general anaesthesiaWhat to Expect at the Practice
Before, during and after – here is exactly how your visit runs, so nothing on the day comes as a surprise.
Your personalised journey begins with a conversation
A welcoming space where everyone feels at ease
Our friendly team and thoughtfully designed child-friendly waiting room set the tone for a calmer dental experience. We understand that dental visits can feel overwhelming—especially for busy parents juggling multiple needs and children with anxiety or sensory sensitivities.
When your child comes in, they’re in the driver’s seat. They get to choose the fun glasses they’ll wear, pick a sensory toy to hold and fidget with during their visit, and we play guessing games together—turning the appointment into something they can feel confident about from start to finish. It’s our way of making oral health care less stressful and helping your child access the compassionate, quality care they deserve.
What happens during your appointment
Your child gets to press the button that moves the chair up and back—and yes, it’s genuinely fun! This simple moment does something really important: it puts them in the driver’s seat. When kids feel in control, anxiety melts away, and they feel safe rather than threatened.
We’ll gently check their teeth and gums, looking for cavities and anything else that needs our attention. But here’s what makes the difference: your child can raise their hand at any moment to pause. That’s their signal, and we listen. Every single time.
If treatment is needed, your child isn’t a bystander—they’re part of the team. We invite them to help, to understand what’s happening, and to stay in control throughout. Because when young people feel included and heard, dental visits become something far less stressful and so much more manageable.
We believe everyone deserves compassionate care that honors their needs. That starts with curiosity about what makes your child feel comfortable, and honesty about what we’re doing and why.
What happens next
A whole surgery has been converted into a prize room, so like every player gets a prize, every child after they have had their teeth checked gets to choose from a room full of prizes- often they find it hard to chose and select a second prize for us to take good care of until they come back to visit again
What Makes Our Practice Different
The same standard of care sits behind every service we offer – 43 years of it, in one familiar practice on The Esplanade.
Qualifications & Training
Weekly mentoring with an oral surgeon, bimonthly mentoring with a cosmetic dentist, additional training in anxiety informed care and neurodiversity- affirming practice, annual CPR training for all the team.
Technology & Techniques
AIRFLOW gentle scale and clean, WAND la machine, digital imaging, intraoral cameras, stainless steel crowns, and sedation options including treatment under general anaesthetics for anxious patients.
Associations & Accreditation
Member of Australian Dental Association, NSW and Federal, APRHA member, D3 group, Palliative Care Volunteer.
Accredited and affiliated with
43
Years Serving Wagga Wagga Families
100+
Combined Years Dental Experience
5
Trained and Dedicated Team Members
1
Local Practice, Every Need Covered
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions Wagga families ask us most about this service.
How does a dentist with a focus in children differ to a regular dentist?
A focus in paediatric dentistry brings something really important: curiosity and compassion tailored specifically to children. Regular dentists see all ages, but a paediatric focused dentist like Dr Mary-Anne Slater has deeper training in child development, behaviour guidance, and how anxiety shows up differently in young minds. We understand that a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old have completely different needs—and that neurodivergent kids need individualised support.
Beyond the clinical skills, we’ve invested in creating an environment and approach that makes oral health care less stressful and more accessible. We take time to build trust, offer choices where we can, explain things clearly, and adapt our pace and communication to each child. Our paediatric expertise means we’re not just treating teeth—we’re helping your family build a positive relationship with dental care that lasts a lifetime.
My child has additional needs; which additional needs does the practice welcome?
We welcome children with additional needs and are committed to neurodiversity affirming practices. This includes children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, anxiety, and other additional needs. We’ve designed our approach specifically to support kids who experience the dental environment differently.
This might mean offering quieter appointment times, extra breaks, clear communication about what’s happening, choices where possible, or extra time to build trust. We’re curious about what works for your child and we personalise our support accordingly. Everyone deserves compassionate, inclusive care—and we’re here to make sure your child gets exactly that. When you book, just let us know about your child’s needs and we’ll prepare accordingly.
Do I need a referral to come to your clinic?
No referral is needed to see us—you can book directly. If your child has been seen by another dentist or has existing notes or xrays, these are required to be better informed for your child’s visit, before you arrive. .
We make it easy to access the care your family deserves. Just give us a call or book online, and we’ll get your child on the schedule. If there’s anything unusual in their history or specific concerns, we’ll chat through it when you contact us so we’re fully prepared.
Will the appointment be running on time – and how long will it take?
We run on time because we respect your day—we know busy parents are juggling a lot, and a late appointment throws everything off schedule. We aim to start when we say we will, and we’ve built realistic timeframes into our booking so you’re not left guessing.
Appointment length varies depending on what your child needs. A simple check-up might be 30 minutes, while a treatment visit or a child with dental anxiety might need 45 minutes to an hour. We’d rather give everyone the unhurried time they deserve than rush through. When you book, we’ll let you know how long to plan for, When you arrive if in exceptional circumstances, we are not running to time, we will let you know. You are not just left sitting in the waiting room, with no idea when you will be seen.
Do we do the Medicare dental scheme?
Yes, we participate in the Medicare dental scheme, which means eligible children can access support for essential dental care through the program. This is part of our commitment to helping families access the care they deserve, regardless of financial barriers.
When you book, let us know if your child is eligible, and we’ll handle the scheme requirements on our end. We’re transparent about costs and what’s covered, so there are no surprises when you arrive.
Will baby teeth really matter if they are going to fall out anyway?
Yes. Healthy baby teeth are important for eating, speaking, guiding adult teeth into position, and maintaining your child’s comfort and wellbeing. In particular the upper second baby molar is essential for tooth spacing. If this needs to be extracted, then space maintenance will be recommended.
Ready when you are
Whether it has been six months or sixteen years, the first appointment is a conversation. Call us, or send a message and we will come back to you.
Visit Us
4/24 The Esplanade
Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
Hours
Mon – Thurs: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Fri – Sun: Closed
Call
02 6921 6035
