1. When should my child first see a dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends a child's first dental visit within six months of the first tooth erupting, or by their first birthday whichever comes first. Starting this early establishes a dental home before anxiety can develop, allows for early caries risk assessment, and gives parents specific guidance on brushing technique, diet, and fluoride before problems develop. If your child is older and has not yet had a dental visit, the right time to book is now.

​

2. Do I need a specialist paediatric dentist or will a family dentist work for my child?

A specialist paediatric dentist (with 2–3 additional years of postgraduate training) is best for children with significant dental anxiety, complex medical or developmental needs, or cases requiring hospital-level sedation. For most healthy children without these specific needs, a comprehensive family dental practice with genuine paediatric experience such as Hwy7 Family Dentistry provides excellent care, with the added benefit of serving the whole family under one roof and maintaining continuity from childhood through adulthood.

​

3. Why do baby teeth matter if they just fall out anyway?

Baby teeth are far more important than most parents realise. They hold space for permanent teeth when a baby tooth is lost prematurely, neighbouring teeth drift and block the permanent tooth's path, often causing crowding that requires orthodontics. Baby teeth also support speech development, chewing and nutrition, and jaw growth. Untreated cavities in baby teeth can infect the developing permanent tooth beneath them. Dental surgery for early childhood caries is the most common day surgery in Canadian paediatric hospitals — almost entirely preventable with early dental care.

​

4. Does Hwy7 Family Dentistry accept the Healthy Smiles Ontario program?

Healthy Smiles Ontario provides free dental care for eligible children and youth under 17 from lower-income families in Ontario. Coverage includes examinations, X-rays, cleanings, sealants, and basic restorative care. Children automatically qualify if their family receives Ontario Works or ODSP. Contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653 for current income eligibility thresholds. Please confirm CDCP and Healthy Smiles Ontario participation with our team when booking, as program acceptance can change.

​

5. What is the cost of children's dental care in Markham?

For uninsured children, a first dental visit including examination and X-rays typically costs approximately $180. Routine six-monthly check-ups and cleanings run $150–$250. Most extended health benefit plans cover 80–100% of preventive children's dental services. The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) covers children from eligible families without private insurance and with adjusted household income under $90,000. The Healthy Smiles Ontario program provides free care for eligible lower-income families. We provide clear written cost estimates before any treatment and offer direct billing to most major insurance providers.