Dr Linda Nguyen
Dr Linda Nguyen
Dr Linda Nguyen is a Registered Specialist Paediatric Dentist and treats patients as a visiting consultant at DentalCare Carnegie Children’s Clinic.
Dr Linda has extensive experience looking after children with all needs and has a passion for making sure every child has access to quality dentistry in Carnegie.
Dr Linda focuses on preventative treatments (check-ups and cleans) and restorative dental treatments (fillings, crowns, root canals), as well as providing specialist advice on the growth and development of your child. Treatment can also be managed with sedation and under general anaesthesia.
“My focus is to make genuine connections with my patients. By doing this, I am able to create positive associations with dental visits and guide children towards a lifetime of optimal oral health.” – Dr Linda Nguyen
Why is it important to care for your children’s teeth?
Children with special needs
Your child’s first dental visit
The first dental visit for a child should be scheduled around the time of their third birthday if there are no concerns that would warrant an earlier visit. The most important aspect of the visit is getting to know and trust our practice, dentists, and staff. A pleasant, comfortable first visit fosters trust and helps your child relax during subsequent dental visits. Allow your child to sit on your lap during your next visit to our child dentistry near Caulfield office while you have your teeth examined.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your child's appointment is a special time! Its our opportunity to help you as parents guide your child on a path of good and sustained oral health.
We have two points of entry to our clinic. Our clinic is located at Suite 1, 61 Koornang Rd Carnegie. Entry 1 is located on Rosstown Rd. Entry 2 is located on Koornang Rd. You and your child/children will be entering via Entry point 2, on Koornang Rd where our friendly team will be waiting for you.
There is parking available on Koornang Rd (1 hour parking), Rosstown Rd (2 hour parking) or around the corner at the Woolworths car park located at 11-29 Kokaribb St, Carnegie (4 hour parking). The Koornang Rd Strip is renowned for its eateries, Asian fusion cuisine, shopping and has a lovely, child friendly library and small outdoors play area. You and your child will enjoy your visit to the street!
Upon your arrival into the clinic, you will be met by one of our friendly reception team. We will welcome you and your child with a warm smile and, introduce ourselves to your child. We will confirm we have all of your details (new patient form if you are a new patient) and any other details we need such as insurance / Medicare details.
While you and your child are waiting for your appointment, you can select from any Netflix or YouTube shows in the waiting area. Please feel free to ask the reception team to change the show if you think it will help your child relax.
We also have a range of Nespresso coffee and T2 Herbal Teas for parents to enjoy.
When it comes time for your child's appointment, your child's Clinician or their dental assistant will come into reception and call out your child's name. You and your child will be welcomed into one of our treatment rooms.
The clinician will discuss your child's medical and dental history with you in detail and, will then ask your child is she can have a look in his/her mouth. The clinician may dictate some notes to her dental assistant while performing a visual check inside your child's mouth and ask to take some diagnostic images such as x-rays or photos with our digital intraoral camera (This kind of looks like a pen). From here, the clinician will discuss her findings with you. If any arrangements need to be made for further treatment, it will be organised for you before the end of your visit. All of our clinicians are very approachable and welcome you to ask any questions or relay any concerns about your child's oral health and oral development.
The main objective throughout the appointment is to keep your child calm, cooperative and feeling secure.
We have partnered with Afterpay, ZIP pay and HUMM pay. If you would like to find out more about these options, please contact one of our friendly reception team prior to your appointment.
Our clinic bulk bills for all children who are eligible for the Medicare Child Dental Benefit Scheme (CDBS) (up to their allocated limit).
Getting your child ready for their appointment
Set the scene...
For younger children, you may like to show them one of the following clips to get them prepared for their appointment.
We are looking forward to meeting you
A friendly welcome from our team!
Dr Linda is a registered specialist paediatric dentist and qualified conscious sedationist.
Throughout her extensive career, Dr Linda has been involved in projects to promote the dental health of children in rural Vietnam, as well as being involved in the Aboriginal Health Services Dental Program by flying in and out of rural communities across Australia.
As a Paediatric specialist, Dr Linda has extensive training in the behavioural management of children as well as children and adults with special needs. This means that Dr Linda is able to manage and treat cases with the highest degree of difficulty. Dr Linda is also a clinical demonstrator for Paediatric Dentistry at the University of Melbourne.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr Linda recommends bringing your child for their first dental visit by 12 months of age or when their first baby tooth comes out. At this appointment, she can assess your child and give you very important information about your child's tooth development, dietary needs for healthy tooth development and answer any questions you may have about your child's oral health
As a paediatric specialist, Dr Linda has undertaken three years of post graduate, full time extensive study, specialising in comprehensively managing children's dental needs, including admission privileges and endorsements at major hospitals for treatment under General Anaesthetic. This means that Dr Linda undertakes the most challenging cases, complex interdisciplinary cases as well as everyday general treatment, and is routinely referred patients from other General Dentists when specialist level treatment is required.
Yes, we do use 'happy gas' otherwise known as Nitrous Oxide. While we have extensive experience dealing with children with different needs and many strategies to help relieve anxiety during your child's dental visit, there are cases where, together with you, our team will decide to use 'happy gas'.
Yes, you will need a referral to see Dr Linda. One of our friendly team will be more than happy to help you book an appointment with one of our general dentists over the phone 9571 6667 for an initial consultation. Otherwise you can conveniently book online through our 'book an appointment page' on our website.
Dr Linda also accepts referrals from external general dentists and, will send all related communication post appointment to your referring dentist.
The answer to this depends on many factors including the age of your child, the treatment needed, the length of the treatment, the anxiety or anticipation levels of your child. We will be able to guide you through these options at your consultation in the clinic.
The main focus for us is that your child feels as stress-free and as calm as possible during his/ her treatment.
We have many strategies to manage the expectations and requirements your children and you as parents/caregivers have and in most cases, can perform the treatment in the clinic.
There are instances where we will recommend your child have their treatment done under General Anaesthetic in the hospital. Dr Linda has operating rights at Chesterville Day Hospital, Bellbird Private Hospital and Wyndham Clinic Private Hospital and works closely with an amazing team of anaesthetists and hospital staff to make your child's experience as positive as possible.
No, you should not be worried! Our recommendation is to book in a consultation with Dr Linda who will be able to review your child and give you the most up to date, safest advice for your child.
It is very important to make our children feel like they are independent. Most likely, they feel that way already and are ready to take on the world!
Here are some tips to help your children have a positive association with tooth brushing and good oral heath:
1. Model tooth brushing to your children. Show them how good you feel when you have clean and healthy teeth.
2.Let them brush their teeth first and then let them know you will just double check the really hard spots to reach.
3. Make brushing teeth a fun habit. Use reward charts and/or play a one of their favourite songs for two minutes while they brush. Here's a favourite of ours, the wiggle tooth brushing song: https://youtu.be/25eHECdTSI8
4. Be excited when your child finishes brushing their teeth. You can say, "WOW, your teeth look so clean and shiny" or, "WOW, your breath smells so fresh and clean"
