Dental Health Week 2025 (4-10 August)
From baby teeth to braces and everything in between, children’s oral health plays a huge role in their overall wellbeing. That’s why this Dental Health Week, Smile On Clinics is getting behind the theme “Reaching Every S-milestone” — a national campaign from the Australian Dental Association designed to support parents and caregivers through every stage of their child’s dental journey.
Dental Health Week is a great reminder that oral care doesn’t start when kids are old enough to brush their own teeth — it starts much earlier, with positive habits, regular check-ups, and support from a trusted dental team.
At Smile On Clinics, our team is committed to helping families build those healthy foundations, and we’re always happy to guide parents, caregivers and kids through what’s needed at each stage.
Key Dental Milestones for Children: What to Expect and When
The ‘s-milestones’ pun in this year’s Dental Health Week campaign refers to the key stages in your child’s oral health journey. The points where it’s important to take action, start new habits, or check in with your dentist.
Here are some of the important milestones to look out for:
- First tooth eruption – usually around 6–10 months of age
- First dental visit – by age 1, or within 6 months of the first tooth appearing
- Teething and feeding transitions – introducing solids and managing teething pain
- Start brushing twice daily – from the moment the first tooth comes in
- Start flossing – once two teeth are touching
- Losing baby teeth – typically starts around age 6
- Monitoring bite and alignment – check-ups around age 7 for orthodontic needs
- Moving to full-strength fluoride toothpaste – around age 6, once they can spit it out
- All adult teeth in – most children have a full set of adult teeth by around age 12–13
Keeping on top of these milestones helps prevent bigger issues down the track, like tooth decay, overcrowding, and gum disease, and sets your child up for a lifetime of confident smiles.
4 Essential Oral Health Habits for Children
Here are the four daily habits we recommend to set your child up for a lifetime of healthy smiles:
- Brush twice a day
- Floss or clean between teeth daily
- Eat a balanced, low-sugar diet
- See the dentist regularly
Need help with brushing technique, diet advice or figuring out when to book your child’s first visit? That’s what we’re here for. Our friendly dental teams love working with kids and are trained to provide a calm, reassuring environment, especially for little ones who might be nervous at the dentist.
Improving Access to Kids’ Dental Care in Australia
We also know that access to regular care isn’t easy for every family. That’s why Smile On Clinics is committed to reaching families across metro and regional Australia. In Kalgoorlie, for example, our Goldfields Family Dental clinic operates a mobile dental van that visits schools in the region, bringing much-needed dental care directly to kids who might otherwise miss out.
Book a Children’s Dental Check-Up at Smile On Clinics
Whether you’re booking your child’s very first appointment or just want to make sure you’re on the right track, our team is here to support you through every S-milestone, and every smile.
Book your next visit at your closest Smile On Location and let’s keep your child’s oral health on track.