Children get cavities too, and for many parents the process of having a filling placed is more daunting than the cavity itself.
If your child needs a dental filling in Dreghorn, here’s what parents typically want to know: what material will be used, what the appointment involves, whether it will be painful, and what the NHS covers for children in Scotland.
Will My Child’s Filling Be White or Silver?
For children under 15, the EU regulations (which Scotland follows) strongly restrict the use of amalgam. In practice, this means that most dental fillings for younger children and teenagers are placed in white composite resin as standard, without the parent or child needing to specifically request it or pay extra.
For teenagers aged 15 to 17, clinical judgement applies: composite is still commonly used, but amalgam isn’t entirely ruled out in specific circumstances. For young people aged 18 to 25, the same rules apply as for adults, but all NHS dental treatment in Scotland is free for this age group, so there’s no financial barrier to the better material.
In our experience, parents are often pleasantly surprised to find out that their child’s filling will be tooth-coloured as a matter of course, not as a premium option.
What About Baby Teeth?
This is a common source of uncertainty. Some parents assume that baby teeth don’t need to be filled since they’ll fall out anyway. This isn’t always the right approach.
Baby teeth (primary teeth) serve important functions beyond simply being placeholders. They help children chew properly, support speech development, and hold the space for the permanent teeth developing underneath. A badly decayed or infected baby tooth that’s left untreated can affect the developing permanent tooth and cause pain, infection, or swelling.
Whether a baby tooth needs a filling or should be extracted depends on how close it is to natural shedding, how extensive the decay is, and how cooperative the child is likely to be during the procedure. Your dentist will discuss this with you and recommend the most appropriate route.
What Happens During the Appointment
A child’s filling appointment follows broadly the same steps as an adult filling. The key differences are in how the dentist approaches communication and cooperation.
Most children respond well to a “tell-show-do” approach: the dentist explains what’s going to happen in child-friendly language, demonstrates on the dental tools or the child’s hand, and then proceeds. For very young children or those with significant anxiety, there may be a case for a different approach, such as inhalation sedation (happy air) or, in more complex cases, referral for treatment under general anaesthetic.
Local anaesthetic is used for most fillings in children, though for very small cavities in baby teeth this is sometimes omitted if the depth is minimal.
NHS Funding for Children’s Fillings in Scotland
| Age Group | NHS Treatment Cost | Material Used |
|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | Free | Composite standard; amalgam avoided in under-15s |
| 18 to 25 | Free | As clinically appropriate |
| 26 and over | 80% of treatment cost, capped at £384 | Amalgam for back teeth on NHS; composite is private |
NHS dental examinations are free for everyone in Scotland, regardless of age. Children don’t need to be referred by a GP; they can be registered directly at a dental practice. For full information on what NHS dental treatment covers for children in Scotland, NHS Inform’s page on receiving dental treatment has the relevant details.
How to Help Your Child Before and During the Appointment
Children pick up on anxiety from their parents. If you’re nervous about the appointment, try to avoid expressing that in front of your child. A matter-of-fact, positive tone before the appointment makes a considerable difference to how the child arrives.
It’s also worth reading books or watching videos about visiting the dentist beforehand for younger children, particularly if it’s their first filling. Familiarity with the concept reduces fear of the unknown.
We had a seven-year-old come in recently who’d had a bad experience elsewhere and was genuinely distressed at the idea of an injection. We spent the first visit simply letting him sit in the chair, look at the instruments, and ask questions. He came back for the filling a fortnight later and was fine. That extra appointment takes time, but it’s time well spent.
Preventing Fillings in Children
Look, prevention is always better than treatment. For children especially, developing good habits early makes a significant difference to lifetime dental health.
The most effective preventive measures are:
- Twice-daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste (supervised until around age seven or eight)
- Reducing sugary snacks and drinks, particularly between meals
- Regular dental check-ups from an early age (ideally from when the first tooth appears)
- Fissure sealants on newly erupted permanent molars, where appropriate
Actually, fissure sealants are worth mentioning specifically. These are a thin coating applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth, sealing the deep grooves where decay most commonly starts. They’re usually placed around the ages of six to seven for the first permanent molars, and twelve to thirteen for the second molars. They’re painless, quick, and considerably cheaper than the fillings they prevent.
If your child needs a filling or you’d like a first dental check-up booked, our team at StormDental in Dreghorn works regularly with children and understands that the first few dental experiences can shape a lifetime of attitudes towards dental care. Call us on 01294 218733 to book an appointment for your child.
