There’s nothing quite like a health practitioner who actually gets kids. The one who knows how to explain an eye test without making it sound scary, or who can coax a nervous three-year-old into opening wide. These are the people worth their weight in gold, and once you find them, you hold on tight.
We’ve rounded up some of Adelaide’s best kid-friendly dentists, family GPs and children’s optometrists, all local, all real, with addresses so you can find the closest one to you.
A quick note before you book: billing arrangements and services can change, so always confirm fees and bulk billing when you make the appointment.
Kid-friendly dentists
Adelaide Paediatric Dentistry
A specialist practice devoted entirely to children’s dental care, from babies through to older teens, including kids with special needs. The whole space is designed to make a dental visit feel more like a fun outing than an appointment.
237 Greenhill Road, Dulwich | adelaidepaediatricdentistry.com.au
The Little Happy Tooth Co
A children-only dental practice in Rose Park with specialist paediatric dentists on the team. They’re experienced with anxious kids and children with special needs, and can offer happy gas or treatment under general anaesthetic where needed. The practice participates in the Child Dental Benefits Schedule for eligible families.
70 Kensington Road, Rose Park | (08) 8332 3222 | littlehappytooth.com.au
SA Dental (public clinics)
Worth knowing about: all children and young people under 18 can access dental care at SA Dental clinics across Adelaide, and there’s no out-of-pocket cost for many families. This includes children under five and those eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. There are no waiting lists for general dental care for kids.
Clinics across Adelaide | dental.sa.gov.au
Family-friendly GPs
InHealth Burnside
Located inside Burnside Village in the centre’s health and wellness precinct, this practice offers general practice alongside allied health and pathology, so you can tick several boxes in one visit. Children under 10 are bulk billed, and the location means good behaviour can be rewarded with a babycino afterwards.
Shop 2006, Level 2, Burnside Village, 447 Portrush Road, Glenside | inhealthmed.com.au
North Adelaide Family Practice
Caring for local families since the late 1970s, this Barnard Street practice has a long-standing reputation for continuity of care across the whole family’s lifespan, with a focus on both acute and preventative health. The practice has recently joined the Pro Health Care network.
118 Barnard Street, North Adelaide | (08) 8267 2177 | gpnafp.com.au
Pro Health Care Henley Beach
A handy option for western suburbs families, located in the Henley Square precinct with same-day appointments and online booking. Several of the GPs have special interests in paediatrics and family medicine.
330–338 Seaview Road, Henley Beach | (08) 7082 3727 | prohealthcare.com.au
Prospect Medical Centre
A bulk billing practice that’s open seven days a week, which is a lifesaver when someone spikes a fever on a Sunday. The centre offers comprehensive family healthcare with free onsite parking and public transport at the door.
188 Main North Road, Prospect | ipn.com.au
Child-friendly optometrists
Adelaide Eye Care
A family-owned practice with children-focused optometrists, including behavioural optometrists trained to pick up vision issues that can affect learning and development. They offer dedicated 45-minute children’s comprehensive examinations, kids’ frames at reduced prices, and myopia management to protect long-term eye health.
415 Goodwood Road, Westbourne Park | 165 Main Road, Blackwood | Shop 10A, 1–7 Main Street, Mawson Lakes | adelaideeyecare.com.au
Innovative Eye Care
Independent and South Australian owned, with optometrists at both locations who have a professional focus on children’s vision and paediatric eye care. A good choice if you’ve noticed your child squinting at the board or losing their place when reading.
300 Wakefield Street, Adelaide | 330 Seaview Road, Henley Beach | innovativeeyecare.com.au
Laubman & Pank
An Adelaide institution, founded in Rundle Mall in 1908 and still there today. The team offers family eye care with a personal touch, and bulk bills eye tests for Medicare cardholders.
Rundle Mall Plaza, 44–58 Rundle Mall, Adelaide | (08) 8223 5611 | laubmanandpank.com.au
OPSM
With stores across Adelaide’s shopping centres, OPSM is an accessible option for children’s eye tests and stocks a solid range of kids’ frames, including durable styles that can survive the schoolyard. Find your nearest store via their website.
Stores across Adelaide | opsm.com.au
Whoever you choose, the golden rule is the same: a practitioner who takes the time to put your child at ease is worth holding onto. Once you find one, book the next check-up before you leave.
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