Kids Dentist in Guelph, ON
Gentle dental care for babies, kids, and teens – and their parents, in the same visit. No referral needed.
Scottsdale Dental Centre is a family dental practice on Scottsdale Drive in Guelph. We see children from their first tooth through their teenage years, and we see their parents too, often in back-to-back appointments, so one trip covers the whole family.
Book your child’s visit online or call (519) 836-5110.
We’re accepting new patients of all ages.
Why Guelph parents choose us for their kids
One appointment for the whole family
Most children’s dental offices in Guelph only treat children , which means a second office, a second trip, and a second set of forms for you. We see parents and kids in the same practice, usually the same morning. If you have a toddler and a ten-year-old, we’ll book them back to back.
No referral needed, and no aging out
You don’t need a referral to book. And because we’re a full-service family practice, your child doesn’t get discharged at 18, the same team that saw them at age two can handle their wisdom teeth, their sports guard, and their Invisalign later on.
We go at your child’s pace
We use a “tell-show-do” approach: explain the tool, show it, then use it. If a child isn’t ready for an X-ray or a cleaning on a given day, we stop and try again next visit. A child who leaves calm will come back. That matters more to us than finishing the checklist.
Prevention first, and we’ll show you why
We recommend treatment when there’s a clinical reason for it, and we’ll show you the X-ray or photo so you can see what we’re seeing. If watchful waiting is reasonable, we’ll say so.
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) available on site
For anxious children, nitrous oxide is available in our office. It wears off within minutes and your child stays awake and responsive the whole time.
Costs explained before we start
We review fees before treatment begins, tell you what your plan covers and what it doesn’t, and offer direct insurance billing. We also accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), see below.
Meet Dr. Ahmad
Dr. Ahmad has practiced general dentistry in Guelph since 2011 and has 20 years of experience treating children, from toddlers to teens. He completed the Hartford Hospital General Practice Residency, which included rotations alongside pediatric dentists treating young and medically complex patients.
- Doctor of Dental Surgery, University of Toronto, 2007
- Residency / hospital training, 2008
- Member, Ontario Dental Association
When should my child first see a dentist?
The Canadian Dental Association recommends a first dental visit within six months of the first tooth appearing, or by their first birthday , whichever comes first.
That surprises a lot of parents. At twelve months there are only a few teeth to look at. But the first visit isn’t really about the teeth:
- It catches early decay while it’s still reversible
- It’s when we check feeding, thumb-sucking, and how the jaw is developing
- It teaches your child that the dental chair is a normal, boring place, long before there’s anything that needs fixing
After the first visit, most children come every six months. Some need to come more often, and we’ll tell you honestly which group your child is in.
What happens at your child’s first visit
Plan on about 30–45 minutes. Depending on your child’s age and comfort level, we’ll do some or all of:
- A gentle look at teeth and gums, often with your child on your lap if they’re very young
- A check of bite and jaw development
- A light cleaning, if your child is ready for one
- Fluoride varnish, if appropriate
- A brushing, flossing, and diet plan tailored to their age
- Time for your questions, bring them, we’d rather answer them here than have you Googling at 11pm
We don’t force anything. If your child gets partway through and needs to stop, we stop. That’s a normal, successful first visit.
Can I stay with my child?
Yes. Parents are welcome in the room. Some children do better with a parent right there; others do better when they get to be independent for a few minutes. You know your child, we’ll follow your lead.
What if my child cries?
Completely normal, especially between ages one and three. Crying at the dentist isn’t a sign the visit failed. Our goal is that your child leaves feeling okay about coming back.
How to prepare your child (parent checklist)
- Don’t promise “it won’t hurt.” It plants the idea that it might. Try: “They’re going to count your teeth and show you everything first.”
- Avoid words like needle, drill, shot, pain — we have our own child-friendly vocabulary for these
- Book around naps. Mornings are usually best for under-fives
- Bring a comfort item – a stuffed animal, headphones, a favorite blanket
- Tell us in advance about sensory sensitivities, autism, ADHD, a gag reflex, or a previous bad dental experience. It changes how we run the appointment, and we’d rather know before you arrive than discover it in the chair
Our children’s dental services
We offer comprehensive care for children of all ages, including:
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Fillings and simple restorations
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Emergency dental care for kids
Paying for your child’s dental care in Guelph
Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)
We accept CDCP patients. If your family’s adjusted net income is under $90,000 and you don’t have private dental insurance, your children may be eligible for coverage on exams, cleanings, fluoride, sealants, fillings, and extractions.
Healthy Smiles Ontario
Healthy Smiles Ontario is a provincial program covering children and youth 17 and under from eligible low-income households, including check-ups, cleanings, fillings, X-rays, and urgent care at no cost.
Private insurance
We offer direct billing to most insurers, so you pay only the portion your plan doesn’t cover. Bring your plan details to the first visit and we’ll verify coverage before treatment.
No insurance?
Tell us. We’ll review costs before we begin and lay out options.
Dental emergencies with kids
Knocked-out teeth and playground accidents don’t wait for business hours.
If a permanent tooth is knocked out: find it, hold it by the crown (never the root), rinse gently with milk or saline if dirty, don’t scrub, and try to reinsert it into the socket. If you can’t, keep it in milk and call us immediately. Time matters enormously: reimplantation within 30 minutes gives the best outcome.
If a baby tooth is knocked out: do not reinsert it, that can damage the permanent tooth developing underneath. Call us.
Call (519) 836-5110 right away. We keep same-day emergency slots open.
Cavity prevention by age
Ages 0–2
- Wipe gums with a soft cloth before teeth come in
- Once the first tooth appears, brush twice daily with a rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste
- No bottles in bed with anything but water,milk and juice pooling overnight is the leading cause of early childhood decay
- First dental visit by age one
Ages 3–5
- Pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste; you brush for them, or after them
- Limit grazing, how often sugar hits the teeth matters more than how much
- Ask about sealants when the first molars come in
- Most children need help brushing until around age 7–8
Ages 6–12
- Start flossing where teeth touch, tight contacts are where cavities hide
- Sealants on permanent molars are one of the most cost-effective things you can do
- Custom mouthguard for any contact sport
- First orthodontic assessment around age 7
Teens
- Energy drinks and sports drinks are highly acidic, worse for enamel than most parents realize
- Braces make brushing harder; expect more frequent cleanings
- Wisdom teeth are usually assessed between 16 and 19
Visiting our Guelph office
Scottsdale Dental Centre
630 Scottsdale Drive, Guelph, ON
(519) 836-5110
- Free parking directly on site, no meters, no garage, easy with a stroller and a car seat
- Easy access from Stone Road and the Hanlon Parkway
- Early morning and evening appointments so kids miss less school
We see families from across Guelph, including Kortright Hills, Pine Ridge, Westminster Woods, Clairfields, Village by the Arboretum, and the South End, and from surrounding communities including Rockwood, Puslinch, Aberfoyle, Morriston, Fergus, and Elora.
What Parents Say
“The hygienist is so great with my kids. She is always so friendly and professional. She does a thorough job cleaning my teeth, but it is never painful or uncomfortable. She makes great recommendations for the best products to keep up with my oral health. My two kids have also been to see her and she’s so great with them! It’s great having a familiar face each time!”
Ready to Book Your Child’s Visit?
Let’s make your child’s next dental visit a positive one!
Schedule Your Child’s Dental Appointment Today or call now at 519-836-5110
Frequently Asked Questions About Kids Dentistry in Guelph
The Canadian Dental Association recommends booking your child’s first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth appearing.
Every six months is standard, but we may suggest a different schedule based on your child’s oral health needs.
Yes. Healthy baby teeth help with chewing, speaking, and guiding permanent teeth into place.
Good brushing and flossing habits, a healthy diet, and regular dental visits help prevent tooth decay. We may also recommend fluoride treatments or dental sealants.
Yes, when used appropriately. Fluoride strengthens enamel and helps prevent cavities. Ask us about the right amount for your child.
Sealants are thin, protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth. They help prevent cavities and are often recommended for children once their molars come in.
Start with a positive attitude, avoid using scary words, and consider a family dental practice experienced in working with children and one that offers sedation like our office.
Begin cleaning your baby’s gums with a soft cloth before teeth come in. Once teeth appear, use a small, soft toothbrush and a rice-sized amount of toothpaste.
Most children begin losing baby teeth around age 6, continuing into early adolescence.
An initial orthodontic evaluation is often recommended around age 7 to check for issues with bite alignment, spacing, or jaw development.