Children's NHS Dentistry in Leith
NHS dental treatment is free for every child in Scotland, regardless of age. We’re a Child Smile participant and we’ve been helping children feel comfortable at the dentist for years, including the ones who really didn’t want to be there.
OVERVIEW
Newkirkgate Dental Care at 2 Great Junction Street, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 5LA provides free NHS dental treatment for children of all ages. The practice is a Child Smile participant, the Scottish Government’s national programme to improve children’s oral health from an early age. NHS dental treatment for children in Scotland is completely free regardless of the parents’ income or circumstances. The practice has dentists and therapists with particular experience working with children, nervous patients and young first-timers. To register a child as an NHS patient, call 0131 554 3509 or visit newkirkgatedental.co.uk.
Dental Care for Children, Free, Friendly and Done Right
Every child in Scotland is entitled to free NHS dental treatment. That means check-ups, fillings, extractions, X-rays and everything else their teeth need to stay healthy, all completely free, from their very first visit right through to their 26th birthday.
At Newkirkgate we see children every week, from toddlers coming in for their first look around to teenagers having a filling for the first time. Some arrive curious and happy to climb into the chair. Some arrive with their arms firmly folded and very clear opinions about the whole situation. We’re good with both.
The goal of every child’s appointment here is the same, to make it a positive experience so that coming to the dentist feels normal rather than frightening. That takes patience, a light touch, and a team that genuinely enjoys working with younger patients. We have all three.
We're a Child Smile Practice
Child Smile is the Scottish Government’s national dental health programme, designed to improve children’s oral health from the earliest age. As a Child Smile participant, we work with families to build good dental habits before problems start, rather than waiting until treatment is needed.
Child Smile focuses on three things:
- Prevention: Teaching children and parents about toothbrushing, diet and the habits that protect teeth long-term
- Fluoride varnish: Applied to children’s teeth at regular intervals to strengthen enamel and reduce the risk of decay
- Early intervention: Identifying any issues early so they can be addressed before they become bigger problems
The earlier children start visiting the dentist, the more comfortable they become with the whole experience. We’d rather see a toddler with healthy teeth than a teenager who’s been avoiding us for ten years. If your child hasn’t been registered with a dentist yet, now is the right time.
What Free NHS Dental Treatment Covers for Children
Every child registered with us as an NHS patient receives completely free dental treatment — no charges, no exceptions, no means testing. It doesn’t matter what you earn, whether you’re working, what benefits you receive or where you’re from. If your child is under 26 and registered with us as an NHS patient, their treatment is free.
Free NHS dental treatment for children covers:
- Dental examinations and check-ups
- Diagnostic X-rays
- Oral cancer screening
- Scale and polish where clinically necessary
- Fillings white fillings for front teeth
- Tooth extractions where necessary
- Fluoride varnish applications
- Fissure sealants to protect back teeth from decay
- Orthodontic referral where there is a clinical need
There are no charges at any point. You simply register your child, bring them along for their appointment, and we take care of the rest.
What to Expect at Your Child's First Appointment
The first visit is the most important one, and we treat it differently from a standard check-up. The goal isn’t necessarily to examine or treat — it’s to make your child feel comfortable in the environment so that future visits feel normal rather than daunting.
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1For very young childrenThe first appointment is often a familiarisation visit. We might just have a look and a count, use our fingers rather than instruments, and let your child explore the chair and the room at their own pace. There's no pressure to do anything they're not comfortable with.
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2For older childrenWe'll carry out a full examination and talk to both you and your child about what we find. Everything is explained in plain language and at a pace your child can follow. If any treatment is needed, we'll explain what's involved and book a separate appointment so your child knows what to expect.
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3For nervous childrenWe go at their pace entirely. We explain what we're doing before we do it, we use gentle language, and we never rush. Many of the children who arrive most reluctant become some of our most relaxed regular patients over time. It just takes a few good experiences to turn that around.
How to Help Your Child Before Their First Visit
A few things that genuinely make a difference:
- Start early: The earlier children visit the dentist, the more normal it becomes. We’re happy to see babies and toddlers even before any teeth have fully come through.
- Keep it casual: Try not to use words like “hurt”, “needle” or “drill” in the run-up to the appointment. Avoid framing the dentist as something to get through or reward afterwards, this unintentionally signals that it’s a big deal.
- Read books about the dentist: There are some excellent children’s books that introduce the dentist in a friendly way. A quick search will give you plenty of options suitable for different ages.
- Be honest but positive: If your child asks what will happen, tell them the dentist will count their teeth, check everything looks healthy and make sure their smile is doing well. All true, and nothing to worry about.
- Come yourself: Children who watch a parent or older sibling have a calm, routine appointment often find their own much less daunting. If you’re already registered with us, bring your child along to your next check-up before booking theirs.
Looking After Children's Teeth at Home
Good habits at home make a real difference. Here’s a straightforward guide by age:
0 to 2 years: Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears. Use a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste — no bigger than a grain of rice. Brush twice a day, morning and last thing before bed.
3 to 6 years: Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Children this age should be supervised when brushing and should spit after brushing rather than rinsing, which washes away the fluoride before it can do its job.
7 years and over: Children can brush more independently but still benefit from a check and a reminder not to rinse with water after brushing. Continue using fluoride toothpaste and aim for two minutes morning and night.
Diet tips: Sugary snacks and drinks between meals are the biggest contributor to childhood tooth decay. Water and milk are the best drinks for children’s teeth. Fruit juice, even pure fruit juice, contains natural sugars that can cause damage if consumed frequently. Where possible, keep sugary food and drink to mealtimes only.
Fissure Sealants, What They Are and Why They Help
Fissure sealants are a thin protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth. Back teeth have deep grooves and pits where food and bacteria can get trapped even with good brushing. Sealants fill these grooves and create a smooth surface that’s much easier to keep clean.
The application is quick, completely painless and requires no injections. It’s one of the most effective preventive treatments available for children and is provided free on the NHS.
We typically recommend sealants when the adult molars come through, usually around the age of six to seven for first molars and eleven to twelve for second molars. Ask your child’s dentist at their next check-up whether sealants would be appropriate.
Teeth Straightening - When to Ask About Orthodontics
If you’re concerned about how your child’s teeth are coming through, whether that’s overcrowding, gaps, a significant overbite or teeth that seem to be coming in at an angle, raise it with your child’s dentist at their next check-up.
NHS orthodontic treatment is available for children under 18 where there is a clinical need. This is assessed using a scoring system called the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). If your child meets the threshold, they can be referred for NHS orthodontic treatment at no cost.
Cosmetic orthodontics, straightening teeth for aesthetic reasons where there is no clinical need, is not available on the NHS and would need to be arranged privately. We’re happy to discuss what’s involved and what the options are at your child’s appointment.
No sure where to begin? Just give us a ring.
Why Edinburgh Residents Choose Newkirkgate Dental
Proudly serving patients across Edinburgh and Leith for over two decades, from our practice inside Newkirkgate Shopping Centre on Great Junction Street.
Masters in Implants
Our principal dentist holds a postgraduate Masters degree in dental implantology.
Phobia Friendly
Every member of our team is trained to work with nervous patients.
NHS & Private
Full NHS care and private treatments, all under one roof in Leith.
Open Saturdays
We're open Saturday mornings so dentistry fits around your week.
REGISTRATION
Register With Newkirkgate Dental Care
Whether you’re new to Leith, new to Edinburgh, or just long overdue a visit, we’d love to have you. We’re accepting new NHS and private patients right now, and getting registered takes just a few minutes. Once you’re with us, we’ll take care of everything else.
- Free NHS check-up every 12 months, no bill at the end
- Same-day emergency slots held back for registered patients every day
- Open Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings
- Every member of our team is trained to work with nervous patients
- NHS and private care, the same warm welcome either way
We’re inside Newkirkgate Shopping Centre on Great Junction Street, right next to Boots. Walk in, give us a call, or register online, whichever feels easiest.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Children's NHS Dentistry
As soon as their first tooth appears or around their first birthday, whichever comes first. We know that might sound early, but getting children used to the environment from a young age makes a real difference to how comfortable they feel as they grow up. The first visit is relaxed and low-pressure. We're not expecting to do much, just say hello, have a gentle look, and start building a positive relationship.
Yes, completely free. Every child registered with us as an NHS patient receives free dental treatment regardless of your income, employment status or circumstances. There are no charges for check-ups, fillings, extractions, X-rays or any other clinically necessary NHS treatment for children. This continues until your child's 26th birthday.
Absolutely. We see nervous children every week and our whole team is trained to work with anxious young patients. We go at their pace, explain everything gently before we do it, and never push a child to do something they're not ready for. We've helped many children who arrived convinced they would hate the dentist go on to become relaxed, confident patients. It just takes patience and the right approach, and we have both.
Child Smile is the Scottish Government's national programme to improve children's oral health. As a Child Smile participant, we focus on prevention and early intervention, helping children and parents build good dental habits before problems develop. This includes fluoride varnish applications, advice on toothbrushing and diet, and regular check-ups from an early age. It's all free as part of your child's NHS dental care.
NHS orthodontic treatment is available for children under 18 where there is a clinical need, assessed using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need. If your child meets the threshold, they can be referred for NHS orthodontic treatment free of charge. Raise it with your child's dentist at their next check-up and we will assess whether a referral is appropriate.