Looking for a Paediatric Dentist near Fitzroy or Collingwood?
If you are looking for a paediatric dentist near Fitzroy or Collingwood, Dentl is at 150 Jolimont Rd, East Melbourne, a short tram ride or drive from both suburbs. We are a general dental practice. One of our dentists, Dr Setareh Mokhtarani, has a focus on paediatric dentistry, and is known for a calm approach with younger and anxious patients.
This article explains the difference between a specialist paediatric dentist and a general dentist with a focus on paediatric care, when you might need each, and what a first visit at Dentl looks like for your child.
What paediatric dentistry actually means
Paediatric dentistry is the area of dental care focused on infants, children, teenagers, and patients with special healthcare needs. The work covers everything from first dental visits and routine check-ups, through to fissure sealants, fillings, mouthguards, growth and bite assessments, and managing anxiety in young patients.
Two kinds of practitioners cover this area in Australia:
- Specialist paediatric dentists. Dentists who have completed approved postgraduate training in paediatric dentistry and hold specialist registration with the Dental Board of Australia. Their entire practice is built around children.
- General dentists with a focus or experience in paediatric dentistry. Dentists with general registration who have additional training, work experience, or a personal focus on treating children.
Both are legitimate. They suit different situations.
When you genuinely need a specialist paediatric dentist
A specialist referral is usually the right call when:
- Your child has complex special healthcare needs, including significant developmental, behavioural, or medical conditions
- Your child has a craniofacial or genetic condition affecting dental development
- Your child needs complex surgical or restorative work that benefits from specialist behaviour management
- Routine in-chair approaches have not worked, and the situation needs a more specialised clinical environment
If your child fits one of these scenarios, ask for a referral. Specialist clinics are set up for these cases and can do work a general practice may not be the best fit for.
When a general dentist with a paediatric focus is the right fit
For most children, most of the time, a general dentist who is good with kids is the right fit. This includes:
- First dental visits for toddlers and young children
- Routine check-ups, cleans, and fluoride application
- Fissure sealants on adult molars as they come through
- Fillings on baby and adult teeth
- Mouthguards for sport
- Diet, brushing, and habit conversations as part of growing up
- Family appointments where parents are also patients of the practice
A familiar local practice is often better for children than a longer commute to a specialist they only see once or twice a year. Continuity matters at this age.
Meet Dr Setareh, our dentist with a focus on paediatric dentistry
Dr Setareh Mokhtarani has worked in dentistry for over a decade. She started as an Oral Health Therapist, spending four years in private practice with a focus on preventive care, periodontal treatments, and paediatric dentistry. She then completed her dentistry training at Griffith University, and now holds general registration as a dentist.
Outside the practice, Dr Setareh is Head of Unit at the Dental Teaching Clinic at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne, where she leads and mentors dental students. She has also worked extensively in the Primary Care Unit, treating dental emergencies and trauma cases.
Inside the practice, she is known for a calm, considered approach. She listens, takes her time, and tailors treatment plans to what each patient actually needs. Anxious children and adults often respond well to her style.
Why families in Fitzroy and Collingwood choose Dentl
Dentl is at 150 Jolimont Rd, East Melbourne. From Fitzroy or Collingwood it is around a 5 to 10 minute drive, a short tram ride along the routes that thread through the inner north, or a manageable walk on a good day.
Beyond the location, three things matter for families.
The pace. Appointments at Dentl are not rushed. Children read tone and energy first, words second, and a calm dentist makes a measurable difference to how a young patient experiences the chair.
The full team. Parents, partners, grandparents, and children can use the same practice and often the same dentist over time. That continuity helps when small issues come up, because we already know the patient.
The fallback options. For children who need significant work, or who have not coped well with routine care elsewhere, Dentl also offers sedation and general anaesthesia in-house, supervised by our principal Dr Leighton. Most children never need this. For the small group that does, having the option in the same practice avoids an additional referral.
What to expect at your child’s first visit
A first visit at Dentl is short and unhurried. Your child meets the dentist, has a look at the chair and the tools, and decides at their own pace whether to sit in. If they are ready, the dentist will count their teeth and have a quick look. If they are not ready, that is fine, and we will try again next time.
We also use the visit to talk to you about brushing, diet, dummy or thumb habits, and anything you have noticed at home. There is usually no procedure on a first visit unless something urgent comes up.
Booking a consultation
The next step is a consultation. We assess your child’s teeth, talk through anything you have noticed, and answer your questions before booking any treatment. To book, call us or book online. For a clear breakdown of treatment costs, you can also download our price guide.
