Children's Dentist in Edinburgh
All NHS dental treatment is free for under-26s at Citrus. We’re a Childsmile practice, and we take the time to make every visit a good one.
OVERVIEW
Citrus Dental Care is a Childsmile participating practice at 1 Meadow Place, Edinburgh EH9 1JZ, near The Meadows. All NHS dental treatment is free for children and young people under 26. Children’s preventative treatments include fluoride applications, tooth-coloured fissure sealants, and early assessment for bite issues. Dental therapy is provided by Zoe Kemp (GDC No. 295494), a University of Edinburgh graduate with a focus on patient education and dental anxiety. The practice accepts new NHS child patients.
What Does Children's Dentistry at Citrus Look Like?
It’s a Sunday morning in summer and the park is full of families crossing The Meadows, bairns running ahead, coffee in hand. Somewhere in there is a parent who’s been putting off booking their child’s first dental appointment, not sure when to go, whether the wee one is ready, or whether it’ll be a disaster. It’s one of the most common conversations we have.
Children’s dentistry at Citrus is built around making early visits positive rather than clinical. It is age-appropriate, unhurried dental care designed to introduce young patients to the environment, the chair, the instruments, and the people, in a way that builds confidence rather than anxiety. A child who has good early experiences at the dentist grows into an adult who actually turns up to their check-ups. Getting that foundation right is genuinely some of the most important work we do.
When Should My Child Start Coming to the Dentist?
As early as possible. The recommended guidance is to bring a child as soon as their first teeth appear, which is usually around six months of age. The first few visits are about familiarity rather than treatment, getting comfortable with the environment, the chair, and the people in it, before there’s ever anything clinical to do.
Early visits also allow us to spot issues while they’re small. Underbites, crossbites, and overbites are much easier to manage when identified early. Decay in primary teeth matters too, the health of baby teeth directly affects the development of the permanent teeth that follow.
What Does the Process Look Like?
Your Children’s NHS at Citrus covers more ground than you might expect.
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1The welcomeWe take time to let younger children explore the environment at their own pace — the chair, the light, the instruments. Nothing is rushed and nothing happens without the child being comfortable first.
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2Check-upA gentle examination of the teeth and gums appropriate to the child's age, checking for early signs of decay, gum health, and any emerging bite issues.
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3Fluoride applicationFluoride is painted directly onto the tooth surfaces to strengthen enamel and significantly reduce the risk of decay.
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4Fissure sealantsA thin, tooth-coloured coating applied to the biting surfaces of back teeth, sealing the grooves where food and bacteria accumulate and decay begins.
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5Bite assessmentEarly checks for underbites, crossbites, and overbites, which are best managed before the permanent teeth fully come through.
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6Home care guidancePractical, age-appropriate advice for parents on brushing technique, toothpaste, diet, and what to watch for between visits.
How Much Does Children's Dentistry Cost in Edinburgh?
All NHS dental treatment is completely free for everyone under 26 in Scotland, including every treatment listed above. There is no charge for check-ups, fluoride applications, fissure sealants, fillings, or any other clinically necessary treatment.
If your child requires private treatment for any reason, or you would prefer a private appointment, speak to our team on 0131 285 3308 and we’ll explain the options.
We See Patients From Across Edinburgh and Beyond
We see families from across the Southside and central Edinburgh, including Newington, Bruntsfield, Tollcross, Marchmont, Morningside, and Leith. Whether you’re registering a toddler for their first ever visit or a teenager who hasn’t been for a while, you’re welcome on Meadow Place. We can often book family appointments back-to-back so everyone is seen on the same visit.
No sure where to begin? Just give us a ring.
Why Edinburgh Families Choose Citrus for Children's Dentistry
Accepting new NHS patients
That's genuinely rare in Edinburgh right now, and it means NHS patients can actually get registered and looked after properly rather than added to a waiting list.
We don't do unnecessary treatment
As one of our patients put it: "He always discusses any costs upfront and only does work on my teeth if it's essentially required. This is not a money-making practice." That's the standard we hold ourselves to.
We're good with nervous patients
If the word "check-up" already has your stomach turning, you're in good company. A significant part of what we do is helping people who've avoided the dentist for years to get back into the habit without dreading it.
We keep it consistent
Same team, same approach, every time. You'll be seen by someone who actually knows your dental history, not a stranger reading your notes for the first time.
REGISTRATION
Register With Citrus Dental Care
New to the area, returning after a while away, or just finally getting round to that appointment you’ve been putting off. You’re welcome here and registering is straightforward.
Here’s what you get when you join us:
- Free NHS check-ups for all registered patients
- Same-day emergency appointments when you need them
- A friendly, consistent team who gets to know you
- Membership plans from £22.50 a month
- 0% finance on private treatment through Tabeo
- Gentle, unhurried care at whatever pace suits you
NHS patients are very welcome. We’re currently accepting new NHS registrations alongside private patients, which we know isn’t something every Edinburgh practice can say right now.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Children Dentistry
As soon as their first teeth appear, usually around six months old. Early visits are more about familiarity than treatment. Getting children comfortable with the environment while there's nothing clinical to do is the best possible foundation.
Yes, this is something we deal with regularly and something the team takes seriously. We never rush nervous children. Zoe in particular is known for her patient, gentle approach with anxious young patients. If your child has had a difficult experience elsewhere or is very anxious, let us know when you call so we can set aside a bit more time.
Yes. Fissure sealants are one of the most effective preventative treatments in dentistry for children. They seal the deep grooves on the biting surfaces of back teeth where decay most commonly starts. They're quick, painless, and free on the NHS. If your child's back teeth have come through and haven't been sealed yet, it's worth asking about.
Call us on 0131 285 3308. We hold emergency slots back every day and children in pain are always prioritised. Don't wait to see if it improves on its own.
No. Teenagers who have been lapsed are one of the most common things we deal with. We don't make a fuss about the gap, we just look at where things stand and work out what, if anything, needs to be done. All NHS treatment is free until their 26th birthday.
Yes, always. Parents and carers are welcome to stay throughout every appointment.
