Kids Dentist Brisbane
Dr Soha Sharif (BDS Hons, MFDS RCS Edin, MANZSPD) has 15 years of experience providing dental care for children at Pure Dentistry in Upper Mt Gravatt, Brisbane. She has completed three years of additional postgraduate training focused on dental treatment for children and is a member of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry (ANZSPD).
Dr Soha provides treatment both in the dental chair at our Upper Mt Gravatt clinic and under general anaesthesia at Brisbane South Private Hospital and Ipswich Day Hospital. She provides care for infants, toddlers, school-aged children and teenagers up to 12 years old.
Whether your child needs a routine check-up, has a toothache, or requires complex treatment under sedation, Dr Soha and her team can help. No referral is needed — call (07) 3343 4869 to book.
Sleep Dentistry for Children
For children who cannot tolerate dental treatment in a standard dental chair — whether due to age, anxiety, or the extent of treatment required — Dr Soha provides sleep dentistry under general anaesthesia at Brisbane South Private Hospital and Ipswich Day Hospital.
During the procedure, your child is fully asleep under the care of an experienced anaesthetist whose sole focus is your child’s safety. Dr Soha completes all necessary dental treatment in a single visit in most cases, so your child does not need to return for multiple appointments.
Sleep dentistry is commonly recommended for:
- Children under 4 years old who are too young to cooperate in the dental chair
- Children who need treatment on multiple teeth
- Children with significant dental anxiety or previous difficult dental experiences
- Children with special healthcare needs including autism, ADHD, or developmental delay
After the procedure, your child recovers in hospital for 1–2 hours with a parent present before going home the same day. Learn more about sleep dentistry for children.
Happy Gas for Kids
Happy gas (nitrous oxide) is a gentle form of conscious sedation used during dental treatment in the chair at our Upper Mt Gravatt clinic. Your child breathes a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen through a small nasal mask and remains awake but relaxed throughout the procedure.
Happy gas is suitable for children aged 4 and over who can breathe through their nose and cooperate with wearing the mask. It takes effect within minutes and wears off just as quickly — most children are ready to leave the clinic immediately after their appointment.
Dr Soha may recommend happy gas for:
- Children who feel nervous about dental treatment but can sit in the dental chair
- Shorter procedures such as fillings or extractions
- Children who have a mild gag reflex
If your child cannot tolerate treatment with happy gas alone, Dr Soha may recommend general anaesthesia at hospital instead. The right approach depends on your child’s age, temperament, and the treatment needed — Dr Soha will explain your options clearly at the initial consultation.
Dental Care for Children with Special Needs
Dr Soha has extensive experience treating children with special healthcare needs, including children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, Down syndrome, global developmental delay, and cerebral palsy. She adapts her approach based on each child’s individual needs.
Some children need extra time to become familiar with the clinic environment before any treatment begins. Others do better with a consistent routine, a parent nearby, or specific sensory accommodations. Dr Soha and her team make space for whatever helps your child feel safe.
For children who cannot cope with treatment in a standard dental chair, Dr Soha coordinates hospital-based dental care under general anaesthesia. This allows all necessary treatment to be completed in a single visit while your child sleeps comfortably, avoiding repeated stressful appointments.
If your child has been turned away from another dental practice, or if previous dental visits have ended in distress, Dr Soha can help. She regularly treats children in exactly this situation. Call (07) 3343 4869 to discuss your child’s needs, or read more about our dental care for children with special needs.
Your Child’s First Dental Visit
The Australian Dental Association recommends your child’s first dental visit by age one, or within six months of the first baby tooth erupting. Early visits help establish a dental home, allow Dr Soha to monitor your child’s oral development, and give you guidance on feeding habits and oral hygiene specific to your child’s age.
A first visit at Pure Dentistry is short and gentle. Dr Soha will examine your child’s teeth and gums, check for early signs of decay, and assess how the teeth and jaw are developing. She will also provide advice on brushing, diet, and what to expect as more teeth come through.
Children who have positive early experiences at the dentist are more likely to maintain regular dental care as they grow. A first visit is not just about checking teeth — it sets the tone for your child’s relationship with dental care for years to come.
If your child is older and has not yet visited a dentist, that is completely fine. Dr Soha sees children of all ages for their first visit, with no judgement. Find out more about what to expect at your child’s first dental appointment.
Helping Anxious Children at the Dentist
It is normal for children to feel nervous about visiting the dentist. Dr Soha and her team are experienced at helping anxious children feel comfortable and in control during their appointment.
Children are sensitive to their environment and are very good at picking up on adult anxiety. As a parent, the most helpful thing you can do is stay calm, avoid words like “needle,” “drill,” or “hurt,” and let Dr Soha take the lead once treatment begins.
At Pure Dentistry, the clinic environment is designed for children. Dr Soha’s treatment room includes child-friendly distractions, and she uses age-appropriate language throughout — for example, calling the suction “Mr Thirsty” and the X-ray machine “the camera.” Children are often invited to explore instruments at their own pace before any treatment starts.
If your child is visibly nervous, you can bring them in to watch a parent’s dental visit first. This can help make the process predictable and less stressful.
For children whose anxiety prevents them from tolerating treatment in the chair, happy gas or sleep dentistry are available.
Kids Dental Treatments
Dr Soha provides a full range of dental treatments for children, from routine preventive care through to complex restorative work under general anaesthesia.
Preventive care: Dental check-ups, professional cleaning, fissure sealants to protect molar teeth, fluoride treatments, and diet and oral hygiene guidance for parents.
Restorative treatments: Fillings for baby and permanent teeth, zirconia crowns, stainless steel crowns, and composite crowns.
Endodontic treatment: Root canal treatment (pulpotomy) for baby teeth to save teeth that are infected but not yet ready to fall out naturally.
Oral surgery: Tooth extractions and space maintainers to hold the gap for permanent teeth after early loss of baby teeth.
Management of developmental conditions: Treatment for badly formed teeth, cheese molars (MIH), and extra teeth growing in gums.
All treatments are available in the dental chair or under general anaesthesia at hospital, depending on your child’s needs.
Kids Dental Treatment Costs
Pure Dentistry is a private billing practice. Below are current examination fees (prices are subject to change — call (07) 3343 4869 to confirm):
- Initial examination with Dr Soha (new patients or dental trauma): $150
- Examination by general dentists: $85
- Periodic six-monthly check-up: $55–$70
Treatment fees (fillings, crowns, extractions, sleep dentistry) vary depending on the type and extent of treatment your child needs. Dr Soha will provide a treatment plan with expected costs before proceeding.
Payment options:
- SuperCare — use your superannuation fund to pay for dental treatment, including hospital-based sleep dentistry
- AfterPay and OpenPay — interest-free payment plans
- Private health fund claiming — we accept all major health funds with dental extras cover and you pay the gap on the day
For more information about using your super fund for kids dental, visit the Kids Dentist website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many baby teeth do children have?
Children have 20 baby teeth (also called primary or deciduous teeth). They are already present in the jaw at birth and usually begin erupting through the gums around 4 to 6 months of age. Most children have all 20 baby teeth by age 3.
Baby teeth are important for chewing, speech development, and holding space for the permanent teeth that will replace them. Decay or early loss of baby teeth can affect the alignment of permanent teeth later. If you notice any changes in your child’s baby teeth, call us on (07) 3343 4869.
What additional training does a children's dentist have?
A children’s dentist has completed additional postgraduate training — typically three years — focused on dental treatment for children. This training covers the developing teeth and jaws of infants, children and adolescents, as well as behaviour management techniques, sedation and general anaesthesia, and the treatment of children with special healthcare needs.
At Pure Dentistry, Dr Soha Sharif has completed three years of additional postgraduate training focused on dental treatment for children and is a member of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry (ANZSPD). She provides dedicated dental care for children from birth to 14 years.
Does my child need a referral to see Dr Soha?
No. You do not need a referral from a GP or another dentist to book an appointment with Dr Soha at Pure Dentistry. You can call us directly on (07) 3343 4869 or book online.
If your child has been referred by another dentist, no written referral is required. Simply let our reception team know when you call so we can arrange the appropriate appointment length.
What should I do if my child has a dental emergency?
If your child has a knocked-out tooth, severe toothache, facial swelling, or a broken tooth, call Pure Dentistry on (07) 3343 4869 immediately. Our phone is forwarded to an after-hours dentist when the clinic is closed.
For knocked-out permanent teeth, place the tooth in milk and seek dental treatment within 30 minutes if possible. For knocked-out baby teeth, do not attempt to re-insert the tooth — call us for advice. For life-threatening emergencies such as difficulty breathing or uncontrolled bleeding, attend the nearest children’s emergency department. Queensland Children’s Hospital has a dedicated dental department. Read more about our emergency dental services.
