Why Love Teeth won Child-Friendly Practice of the Year – and what it means for your family

We’re thrilled to announce that Love Teeth won the 2024 Child-Friendly Practice of the Year award at the Private Dentistry Awards. This recognition means the world to our team, but more importantly, it reflects our genuine commitment to creating positive dental experiences for children across Surrey.

If you’re a parent in Sutton, Cheam, Worcester Park, New Malden, Chessington or Stonecot, you understand the importance of finding a dental practice where your children feel comfortable, safe and even excited about dental visits. Let’s explore what this award means and how it benefits your family.

What the Child-Friendly Practice Award recognises

The Private Dentistry Awards Child-Friendly Practice of the Year award evaluates practices on their ability to create welcoming, non-threatening environments for children, communicate effectively with young patients in age-appropriate ways, deliver gentle, pain-free treatments that build positive associations, engage parents as partners in their children’s oral health, and demonstrate commitment to preventive care and education.

The judging involves comprehensive assessment of facilities, observation of patient interactions, review of clinical protocols for children, analysis of parent satisfaction data, and mystery patient visits. This rigorous process ensures winners genuinely excel at paediatric dentistry, not just claim to be child-friendly.

Building positive associations from the first visit

A child’s early dental experiences shape their lifelong attitude towards dental care. Positive early visits create confident adults who maintain regular dental care. Negative experiences can create anxiety lasting decades. At Love Teeth, we understand this responsibility and approach every child’s appointment with this long-term perspective.

We recommend bringing children for their first dental visit around their first birthday or when their first tooth appears. These early visits aren’t about extensive treatment – they’re about building comfort and familiarity. Children sit in the chair (often on a parent’s lap), explore the equipment with guidance, meet our friendly team, and learn that the dental practice is a safe, welcoming place.

Age-appropriate communication

Effective communication with children requires special skills. Our team excels at explaining procedures in language children understand without causing unnecessary anxiety. We use child-friendly terms – ‘tooth counter’ instead of ‘probe’, ‘sleepy juice’ instead of ‘anaesthetic’, ‘tooth shower’ instead of ‘water spray’.

We let children touch instruments before we use them, explaining what they do. We proceed at the child’s pace, never rushing or forcing cooperation. We celebrate brave behaviour with praise and stickers. This approach transforms potentially scary experiences into accomplishments children feel proud of.

Gentle, pain-free dentistry for children

Modern paediatric dentistry should be virtually pain-free. At Love Teeth, we use topical anaesthetic before any injections to numb the area first. We use child-sized instruments that are less intimidating. We offer distraction techniques including counting, breathing exercises, or conversation. We proceed gently, checking comfort frequently.

For anxious children or extensive treatments, we offer various comfort options including sedation. Our goal is ensuring children never associate dental care with pain or fear.

Preventive care: protecting growing smiles

Prevention is particularly important for children. We focus on fluoride treatments to strengthen developing enamel, fissure sealants to protect permanent molars, regular hygiene appointments to establish good habits, diet advice tailored to families, and oral hygiene education that makes brushing fun.

We teach children proper brushing technique using age-appropriate methods. Young children might use songs or timers to ensure they brush for two minutes. Older children learn about plaque, bacteria and the science behind oral health. We provide take-home resources including sticker charts, educational colouring sheets, and guidance for parents.

Partnering with parents

Excellent paediatric dentistry involves collaboration with parents. We recognise that you know your child best and welcome your insights about what works for your child. We provide clear guidance on home care appropriate for your child’s age. We’re available to answer questions between appointments. We never judge – we understand parenting is challenging.

Many parents feel guilty if their children develop cavities, but judgement helps no one. Instead, we focus on solutions – treating existing problems whilst establishing routines that prevent future issues. Our approach is supportive, not critical.

Supporting children with special needs

Our child-friendly approach extends to children with special needs. We provide extra time for appointments when needed, use visual schedules and social stories to prepare children, accommodate sensory sensitivities, and communicate closely with parents about strategies that work. Our team receives training in supporting children with various conditions including autism, ADHD, anxiety disorders, and physical disabilities.

Orthodontics and growing smiles

As children grow, we monitor dental development and jaw alignment. Early orthodontic assessment (around age 7) allows us to identify potential issues and plan intervention at the optimal time. We offer various orthodontic options including traditional braces and Invisalign for teens.

Our comprehensive approach means your child’s orthodontic treatment is coordinated with their general dental care, ensuring the best possible outcome.

Creating a welcoming environment

The physical environment matters for children’s comfort. Our practices feature bright, welcoming reception areas, child-height facilities where appropriate, and a calm, positive atmosphere throughout. Small details make a big difference in helping children feel comfortable and safe.

Education that empowers

We believe in empowering children with knowledge about their oral health. Age-appropriate education helps children understand why dental care matters, how their choices affect their teeth, and what they can do to keep their smiles healthy. We demonstrate brushing technique, explain the role of diet in dental health, discuss the science of tooth decay in simple terms, and celebrate good habits and improvements.

Educated children become active participants in their oral health rather than passive recipients of treatment.

Family-centred care

Winning Child-Friendly Practice of the Year alongside our Patient Care Award reflects our commitment to excellent care for patients of all ages. Families can receive comprehensive care at one trusted practice. Parents and children can have appointments on the same day. We understand family dynamics and accommodate busy schedules. Siblings build relationships with the same caring team.

This family-centred approach makes dental care more convenient whilst building trust across generations.

What parents say about Love Teeth

Our patient testimonials consistently highlight how our team makes children feel comfortable and safe, parents appreciate clear communication about their children’s dental health, children actually look forward to dental appointments, and we provide gentle, pain-free treatments.

These reviews remind us why we do what we do – transforming dental visits from sources of anxiety into positive experiences that build healthy habits for life.

Experience our child-friendly care

Whether your child needs their first dental visit, you’re looking for a new dental home for your family, or you’re concerned about your child’s dental anxiety, Love Teeth is here to help. Call us on 020 8337 0629 or book online at any of our six Surrey locations in Cheam, Sutton, Worcester Park, New Malden, Chessington or Stonecot.

Your child’s first appointment will be gentle and positive, focused on building comfort and familiarity. We’ll examine their teeth, discuss any concerns, provide age-appropriate oral health guidance, and ensure both you and your child feel confident about their dental care.

As Surrey’s award-winning Child-Friendly Practice of the Year, we’re committed to creating dental experiences that build confidence, comfort and healthy habits. We look forward to caring for your family’s smiles for years to come.