Katy RosserWhen I was a kid, every time my parents said, “You have a dentist appointment,” I wanted to vanish into thin air.
Needles, drills, and that never-ending “water spray” were the stuff of nightmares. Just the thought of sitting in that chair was enough to give me chills.
Fast forward to now—I’m all about taking care of my teeth. But I’ll never forget how intimidating the dentist can be for kids, especially if you end up at the wrong clinic.
That’s why I made it my mission to find dental clinics that actually make kids enjoy the experience—yes, it’s possible!
With help from the Auckland Magazine team, we checked out a variety of dental clinics to see which ones really stand out.
Here’s our list of the best kids’ dentistry in Auckland!
How much does a kid’s dental care cost in Auckland?
A kid’s dental care costs at least 100 NZD in Auckland.
This is just an estimate. However, this may vary depending on whether the clinic is private or public, the treatments required, and other factors.
1. Kidz-Teeth Meadowbank | Lumino The Dentists
Address: 21 Saint Johns Road
Contact Details: +64 9 521 9003
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 7:30 AM to 5 PM
- Friday – 7:30 AM to 2 PM
Kidz-Teeth Meadowbank offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere, complete with charming wall art and stuffed toys that instantly put kids at ease.
The waiting area is vibrant, with kid-friendly shows playing on the screen. The only problem is that seats are limited, which can be inconvenient when the clinic gets busy.
Despite that, their staff are approachable and friendly. Parents even told us they make going to the dentist fun for kids with little presents at the end of each visit—a gesture that’s definitely a plus in our book.
On top of that, the dental care itself is seamless. The pediatric dentists at Kidz-Teeth Meadowbank provide thorough preventative care and address any concerns with professionalism.
They also do an excellent job of keeping parents updated on their children’s dental health and upcoming treatments.
Additionally, they provide teeth-brushing tips that parents can easily follow at home to help their little ones develop good habits.
Kind, professional, and highly informative
“These people are INCREDIBLE! Kind, thoughtful, clear, professional, honest, informative, FUN… the list goes on. After a traumatic tooth injury, we got a tooth extraction for my 3 year old and they were absolutely amazing throughout the process, and after! My son actually looks forward to the dentist because of these ladies (including the lovely receptionist).I could not fault one thing.
Thank you!!!!”
–Kate Asher Google Review
Warm and inviting clinic
“Your kids will love going here, they have kid friendly shows, toys, balloons, presents, but most important the team is warm and inviting, the dentists are efficient and informative and they know how to work with children. My son has a great experience here and he has been going since 10months.”
–Tegan Nichols Google Reviews
2. Caring 4 Smiles Dental Group
Address: 475 Manukau Road, Epsom
Contact Details: +64 9 631 5416
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday- 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 7:30 AM to 2 PM
Caring 4 Smiles offers top-notch dental services. From cracked teeth to dental abscesses, they handle everything with expertise and care.
The way Caring 4 Smiles monitors children’s overall oral development and growth is impressive. Their dentists are also experts in baby bottle tooth decay and good oral hygiene habits.
You will feel at ease with how patient and gentle the staff are. What’s extra exciting is that they let the children pick out a little prize after every checkup.
When you need clarifications about a treatment or medication, they provide thorough answers and explanations—and sometimes even use visuals. You’ll feel confident knowing that when you get home, you won’t have any worries.
Additionally, the clinic addresses common childhood dental problems, such as the need for fillings or extractions.
However, we wish they had more appointment times available. They only cater to a limited number of patients daily, so it’s important to book in advance.
Thoroughly teaches kids the importance of oral health
“We can’t recommend Dr. Loy enough as a family dentist! When one of my children was experiencing severe tooth pain over the weekend, Dr. Loy was incredibly supportive and went above and beyond to help us. It’s not just his willingness to assist in emergencies that stands out; his constant kindness towards children and his patience in explaining the correct dental care procedures make every visit a reassuring experience. Dr. Loy doesn’t just treat teeth; he teaches kids the importance of taking care of their dental health in a way that’s engaging and easy to understand. Really appreciated Loy!”
–pan mindy Google Reviews
Friendly and warm office staff
“This is by far the best dentist office I have ever been to! Dr Kelvin was extremely patient and caring with my 2 year old daughter who had to have two cavities fixed. He took extra time to help her feel comfortable and was so playful with her. She actually had fun and was completely comfortable by the end! The rest of the office staff were so friendly and warm. Beautiful environment! I can’t recommend this office more for the whole family! My husband and I will definitely be going back for our own dental care as well! Thank you for the amazing experience!”
–Christina Hadwin Zuniga, Google Reviews
3. Auckland Regional Dental Service (ARDS)
Address: 33 Sheehan Street
Contact Details: +64 9 376 6327
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:15 AM to 4 PM
We were drawn to Auckland Regional Dental Service (ARDS) because of their free children’s dental services for children up to year eight. Parents can bring in their children and access top-notch dental care, regardless of income.
Their dentists are oral health therapists, too. This means they focus on assessing the overall tooth development and gum health of your children.
However, they don’t provide routine cleanings or orthodontic-related extractions, so you’ll need to go elsewhere for those services.
Despite that, we appreciate how they offer thorough and valuable tips on maintaining good oral hygiene and brushing techniques.
Moreover, we value how the dental therapists and the reception staff are consistently friendly and patient. Parents told us that the dentists took the time to build rapport with children.
The way they keep kids calm during treatment is also something we highly value.
Good place for dental checkups
“Good place for dental check up for your kids.”
–Joy Biswas Google Reviews
Ensures children are comfortable throughout the procedure
“Dentist and Dental Assistant here are so lovely and caring, they made it very calm and comfortable for my children during the treatments. Really appreciated.”
–An Nguyen Google Reviews
4. The Tooth Company Eastridge
Address: Shop 27, Eastridge Shopping Centre 215 Kepa Road
Contact Details: +64 9 521 2021
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 8 AM to 8 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 9 AM to 4 PM
The Tooth Company Eastridge’s waiting room is a kid’s dream come true, with a dedicated play area packed with blocks and puzzles. It’s a mini playground that keeps the little ones entertained and takes the stress out of waiting.
The dental staff are patient and kind. They clearly know how to talk to kids in a way that makes them feel comfortable.
We also appreciate that they use positive reinforcement and gentle techniques. Parents admired that the staff were always ready with a sticker or small toy to reward good behavior.
More than that, their ability to be a one-stop shop for all things pediatric dental is impressive. From baby bottle tooth decay to early orthodontic concerns, they handle it all.
They even cater to routine check-ups and cleanings, which is a plus for us. Plus, they handle more complex procedures like fillings and extractions with age-appropriate sedation when needed.
The only downside is that the prices are a bit on the high side.
Supportive and genuine staff
“Dr Breanna is amazing. She pays attention to the child and works with them in a way that is supportive and genuine.”
–Mo Odedra, Google Reviews
Easy to get emergency appointments
“Amazing clinic. Wonderful for children and easy to get emergency appointments.”
–Justine Harvie, Google Reviews
5. Pt England Children’s Community Dental Clinic
Address: 130a Point England Road
Contact Details: +64 9 570 4309
Pt England Children’s Community Dental Clinic deserves a big thumbs up for its quick and effective fillings for kids. Some parents told us it took only 15 minutes, which says a lot about their service.
The clinic also offers lots of different services. It includes fluoride treatments, sealants, and even oral hygiene lessons. This clinic is essentially a one-stop shop for good oral health.
On top of that, the dentists are really gentle. Parents told us that the team prioritizes children’s comfort, even during complex procedures.
Plus, the hygienists are super friendly and gentle. They know how to calm down nervous kids with stories and playtime.
However, some parents had trouble getting in touch with the clinic by phone. Calls went unanswered or to voicemail, and they didn’t receive a call back right away.
Amazing experience
“Our daughter just finished a course of treatment at the clinic. We had an amazing experience, everyone we dealt with was so nice and a very special thank you to Yumna who was just brilliant.”
–Chris Kingham Google Reviews
Professional team and easy with children
“Had an appointment with my 6 and 8yo’s. Appointment started on time. Advise was good. Treatment was good. Professional and the team was great with keeping kids at ease.”
–Kumeo Wash Plant Google Reviews
