Your Child’s Dental Checklist for the 2026 School Term

Start with symptoms, risk and your child’s stage

If you are deciding whether your child needs to be seen before September, start with their own dental history rather than a universal timetable. Check the existing recall plan, the date of the last visit, their age and current tooth eruption, and any advice already given. These details help us decide whether a routine review is useful now or whether monitoring remains appropriate.

Most children should have their first dental visit when the first milk teeth appear, or by 12 months of age at the latest. After that, the interval should follow your child’s needs and personalised advice from the dental team. NICE guidance supports recall intervals based on individual risk, so a child with previous decay, enamel concerns or other risk factors may need a different plan from a child with a healthy mouth.

Please contact the practice promptly if your child has toothache, sensitivity, swelling, visible decay or bleeding, or if you notice a change in their bite or how a tooth is coming through. Pain, swelling and injury need attention based on the symptom or event, not on the school calendar. A routine review before term starts can be helpful for prevention, reassurance and practical advice, but it is not a substitute for symptom or trauma care.

For children’s dental care in Paddington, bring relevant medical and dental history, a list of medicines, details of any recent injury, and the questions you would like answered. Tell us about communication needs, sensory preferences or adjustments that could make the visit easier. This gives the team at Paddington Smiles a clear starting point and helps shape a comfortable plan for your child’s next stage.

Know what a child’s dental check-up can cover

A child’s first visits can look different. Some children chat as soon as they arrive; others need a quiet pause before they sit in the chair. A calm welcome suited to your child’s age gives your clinician time to learn what helps them feel settled. They may ask about previous visits, medical history and anything you want the team to know.

Questions might cover toothbrushing, food and drink, sucking habits, grinding, sensitivity, pain or a concern you have noticed. The answers help the clinician focus the appointment and choose advice that fits your child’s routine, confidence and stage of development.

With your child’s agreement, the clinician will look at the teeth, gums and mouth. They assess cleanliness, signs of decay or inflammation, the bite, and how teeth are erupting. They also consider jaw growth and development. That wider view helps shape practical prevention and a recall interval suited to your child, rather than a fixed timetable.

An image or treatment is considered only when it is clinically indicated. Neither is automatic. The clinician will explain why an image adds useful information, or why review is enough. If treatment is discussed, you can talk through the choices and what your child may manage comfortably.

Advice is practical and suited to your child’s age. You may talk through brushing technique, fluoride toothpaste, how often your child has sugary foods and drinks, and habits that may affect teeth or bite. For reliable home guidance, see NHS guidance for children’s teeth.

Preventive options are specific to each child too. Fluoride varnish or fissure sealants may be suggested, depending on your child’s teeth, risk factors and ability to cope. They are not a standard add on for everyone, and the reason for any option should be clear.

Before you leave, the clinician should share clear findings, available options and next steps. You should know what to do at home and when to return. Your personalised recall interval can change as teeth erupt, habits shift or concerns settle; it is part of an ongoing plan shaped around your child.

Comfort matters throughout. The team can explain each step, work at your child’s pace and agree a stop signal before starting. A child may not be ready for every part of an appointment on one visit. Pausing, counting a few teeth or returning another day can still move care forward. The team can record what was completed and agree the next step with you and your child.

Prepare the everyday routine, lunchbox and sports bag

Back to school is a useful moment to reset the small habits that protect growing smiles. Help your child brush twice each day for about two minutes, using an age appropriate fluoride toothpaste. Younger children need an adult to supervise and make sure every surface is reached; ask your dental team what fluoride strength suits their age.

Keep water as the usual drink, and make sugary snacks and drinks less frequent. If sweets are part of the week, offering them with a meal is kinder to teeth than grazing between meals. A packed lunch can include cheese, vegetables, fruit and plain water, with regular meals and snacks rather than repeated nibbling.

For sport, check the mouthguard regularly. It should fit securely as your child grows, or whenever braces, fillings or teeth change. The Dental Trauma UK guide explains what to look for. Bring any concern to your dentist before the next match.

• Toothache needs prompt contact with a dental practice, even if pain settles. If a tooth is chipped, find the piece, place it in milk or saliva, and take it with your child for advice.
• If a permanent tooth is knocked out, hold it by the crown, the part normally visible, and gently rinse it only if dirty. If possible, carefully place it back into the socket, without forcing it. Otherwise keep it in milk or saliva and seek immediate dental care. Never put a baby tooth back in.
• If you cannot reach an urgent dentist, call NHS 111 for advice.

Make the first bell a calm dental milestone

For a child who feels unsure about a dental appointment, preparation can make the day feel familiar. Use positive, factual language about meeting the dentist and looking at their teeth. At home, practise opening their mouth for a few seconds, then let them close it. A favourite comfort item can come along, and you can agree a simple pause or stop signal together.

Before the appointment, tell the team about anything that may shape the visit. Share your child’s triggers, previous experiences, sensory needs, neurodiversity and preferred language, including words they like you and the dentist to use. This gives the clinician useful context and helps the conversation begin at your child’s pace.

When you compare local practices, look for a calm welcome, age appropriate explanations and a clear focus on prevention. A child friendly team should offer practical guidance for parents, respect a child’s boundaries and communicate clearly about what they are doing and why. You should feel able to ask questions without being hurried.

Paddington Smiles provides a calm, modern W2 studio where children’s dental care in Paddington can be discussed in a way that suits the individual child. Personalised prevention advice, a multilingual team and modern digital tools support clear conversations with families. Ask what your child can expect, what information to bring and how you can take part.

If your child’s recall is due, you have a concern, or you would like a calmer visit next time, contact the team to discuss an appointment. You can also read about Children’s Dentistry in Paddington before you decide what support your family needs.