The teeth they have
Baby teeth are still doing important work for chewing, speech and holding space.
- Signs of decay between or on the back teeth
- Healthy gums around each tooth
- How the top and bottom teeth fit together
On the list before school starts
Pediatric Dentistry for Southdale Residents
New backpack, name labels, a lunch container that actually closes. Starting kindergarten comes with a long to-do list, and a dental check fits naturally on it. Your child is about to spend long days away from you, eating snacks you didn’t hand them, so it’s a good moment to see how their teeth are doing.
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A big year for a small child
A Dental Check as Your Child Starts School
Around the start of school, most children still have a full set of baby teeth, and the first permanent molars and front teeth may not be far off. A visit at this stage can check development, look for early decay, and talk about how school-day snacks and lunches fit with your child’s teeth.
Soon-to-be students from Southdale, an area in Winnipeg, can have this check at Winnipeg North Dental on McPhillips Street. Whether this is your child’s first appointment or one of many, the visit is adapted to their age and comfort.
Explore pediatric dentistry
Timed with a milestone
School entry is a natural point to check in on young teeth.
Looking ahead
Permanent teeth that may arrive soon get attention too.
Lunchbox talk
Snacks and drinks for school days are part of the discussion.
At this age
What a pre-school-start visit checks.
The exact visit depends on your child’s comfort and oral health. Recommendations follow from their age and individual cavity risk.
The teeth on the way
Development is monitored so changes can be followed as they happen.
- Whether permanent teeth seem to be arriving on schedule
- Habits such as thumb sucking that might affect the bite
- Whether new molars could benefit from sealants later on
If a cavity or another concern is found, the options are explained to you before anything is done.
The appointment itself
Short, simple and at your child’s pace.
For a young child, a calm and understandable visit matters more than squeezing in every step.
Request your visit- 01
A friendly start
Hellos come first, then a peek at each instrument so nothing catches a five-year-old off guard.
- 02
A look inside
The dentist checks teeth, gums and development as your child’s comfort allows.
- 03
Prevention
For a child about to start school, the dentist weighs up a light cleaning, fluoride or an X-ray against how likely decay is.
- 04
Advice for school days
Brushing, snacks, drinks and the next visit get covered with you.
Talking about it at home
Frame it as one more new thing they get to try.
Your child is already hearing about lots of firsts. You might mention the dentist as another one: someone who will count your teeth and help keep them strong. Skip promises that nothing will hurt, and leave the explaining of each step to the team.
Alongside the school paperwork, gather your child’s dental-relevant health notes: medicines, allergies, any rough dental moments before, sore teeth or bumps, how they handle noise or touch and talk, and thumb or soother use.
School-year questions to bring
- Which lunchbox snacks are kinder to teeth?
- Is juice in a lunch a problem, or water better?
- Should brushing change once mornings get busier?
- When might the first adult teeth appear?
A reclining pale blue chair in a treatment room, and the reception desk with plants and a framed print.
Lots of change at once
A child adjusting to school may have less patience.
Starting school can stretch a young child’s tolerance for new things. If your child is tired or overwhelmed lately, mention it. The team can keep explanations short, introduce things gradually, and take breaks.
A comfort item
Bringing a favourite toy can help a young child feel steadier.
Small steps count
If sitting up in the chair for a brief peek is all that happens, that still counts.
Honest language
Your child hears what’s happening in words they can follow.
Once school is underway
Build tooth care into the new rhythm.
New school mornings can crowd out brushing, and lunches add new snacks. Use the start of the year to set a routine that works with the timetable, then check how it’s holding up at your child’s next appointment.
01
Morning brush before shoes
Tying brushing to a step that always happens makes it harder to forget.
02
Water in the bottle
A water bottle for school can replace some sugary sips.
03
Book the next visit
Return at the interval the dentist suggests for your child.
If a tooth gets hurt at school or your child reports pain, phone (204) 338-3003.
Talk with our team
Winnipeg North Dental
Unit-5 2358 Mcphillips Street, Winnipeg, MB R2V 4J6Get directions (opens in a new tab)Before the backpack goes on
Southdale Children Visit Us on McPhillips Street
The pre-school-start check is done at Winnipeg North Dental, Unit 5, 2358 McPhillips Street, Winnipeg. The map link below can help with directions.
Sending the form doesn’t reserve an appointment. The clinic reaches out first, and the time is set once you both agree.
Questions about coverage?
Talk with our team before your visit or learn about CDCP.
A little clarity before your visit
Your questions, answered.
Helpful details about pediatric dentistry in Southdale.
Ask our teamHow can a Southdale parent request a check before school starts?
Send the request form or call (204) 338-3003, and mention your child is starting school. Include the date school begins, and the clinic will reply to work out a time with you.
My child has never been to a dentist and is starting kindergarten. Is that okay?
It’s fine to start now. The Canadian Dental Association’s advice points to a first check by a child’s first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth, yet a school-age beginner is welcomed just the same.
What lunchbox snacks are easier on teeth?
Pack a typical lunch in your head, or snap a photo of one, and bring it to the visit. Talking through real items, plus how often your child grazes and what’s in their drink bottle, gives you far more useful ideas.
Will my five-year-old need X-rays?
Not automatically. A five-year-old gets one only when their age and decay risk make it worthwhile, and you’ll be told why before it happens.
Can sealants go on baby teeth?
Sealants are meant for molars with deep grooves, when the tooth is a good candidate. Ask the dentist to point out whether any of your child’s back teeth fit that description.
Why look after baby teeth that will fall out soon?
Many of them stay in place for years after kindergarten. During that time they do the chewing, help shape words, hold room for adult teeth and affect how your child feels about smiling, and a decayed one can ache like any other tooth.
What if my child injures a tooth on the playground?
Once you hear about it, telephone the clinic and say what happened to the tooth; don’t wait on a form. Before anything dental, get emergency medical care if your child lost consciousness, is bleeding uncontrollably, can’t breathe well or has a serious facial injury.
Related pages
More on children’s care.
Read about check-ups and cleanings, fillings for cavities, and urgent dental care.
Check-ups & Cleanings
Book dental check-ups and cleanings in Winnipeg for preventive exams, tartar removal, gum monitoring and personalized home-care guidance.
Explore serviceDental Fillings
Restore cavities, chips and worn areas with tooth-coloured dental fillings in Winnipeg. Learn when repair is needed and what happens during treatment.
Explore serviceEmergency Dentistry
Contact Winnipeg North Dental for urgent help with tooth pain, swelling, broken or knocked-out teeth, lost restorations and dental injuries.
Explore serviceHave an urgent concern? Call (204) 338-3003 to discuss availability.
Ready for the first day
Add a dental check to the back-to-school list.
Send a request with your child’s age. The clinic will get back to you to arrange a time.