A relaxed, friendly check-up for your child, at a pace that suits them. It keeps their teeth healthy, catches any little problems while they are still small, and helps them grow up feeling at home in the dentist's chair rather than afraid of it.
Tell us when suits and we will call you back to arrange it. No obligation.
Treatment Overview
What Is a Children's Check-Up?
A children's check-up is a gentle, friendly look at your child's teeth, gums and bite, and at how their mouth is growing. It is nothing like people picture. There is no drilling and no fuss, just a careful look, a count of their teeth, and plenty of chat so they feel at ease.
We check both the baby teeth and any adult teeth as they start to come through. Baby teeth can decay faster than adult teeth, so finding a problem early, while it is still small, really matters. We would far rather catch something now than wait until it starts to hurt.
If it is your child's first visit, we take our time to let them settle in and get used to the chair, the light and the sounds, with nothing happening until they are ready. If they are coming back for a routine check, we compare what we see against last time, so we notice anything that is starting to change.
Nothing gets done on the day beyond the check-up itself. If your child ever needs treatment, we explain it to you first, along with the cost, and you decide.
Bring your child in if:
It is their first ever trip to the dentist
They are due their routine check-up
You have moved to the area or want a family dentist
A tooth is sore, or one looks different to you
You want them to feel at home in the chair while they are little
You would like advice on brushing, diet or thumb-sucking
What a children's check-up picks up:
Decay in baby teeth, which can move quickly
Adult teeth coming through, and whether there is room for them
How the bite and jaw are developing
Early signs of crowding or teeth that are out of line
Habits like thumb-sucking that can affect the bite
Sore spots, gum problems, or anything that is bothering them
We let your child settle in and get comfortable before anything else. They can look around, meet the team and see the chair with nothing happening. If they are shy or nervous, this is the part that matters most.
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A gentle look
We count and check their teeth, look at their gums and bite, and see how everything is growing. We explain each bit as we go, in words they understand, so it feels more like a game than an examination.
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We show you both what we found
You see what we see, and your child gets plenty of praise. We point out anything worth keeping an eye on, whether that is a spot of early decay or an adult tooth on its way.
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Simple next steps
Down-to-earth advice on brushing, diet and any habits, when to come back, and what to look out for at home. If treatment is ever needed, we talk you through the options and the cost before anything is booked.
Longer appointments, so we can talk through your concerns and give you a break if you need one.
Almost pain-free injections
The Wand numbs you without the big needle or the sting. Most patients are surprised how easy it is.
Digital X-rays
We diagnose faster, more accurately and with far less radiation than older film.
A hand to hold
Bring a partner in, or hold a nurse's hand. If you ever need us, we respond the same day.
About Waterside Dental
Your private dental practicein Hythe.
Waterside Dental is a private practice in Hythe, owned and led by principal dentist Dr Nikos Louskos since 2017. It has recently been refurbished to feel more like home than a clinic, and is run by a small, hand-picked team — so you'll always see a familiar face.
Care here is unhurried and patient-led. Appointments are longer so concerns can be talked through properly, treatment is explained in plain language, and nothing is rushed — with breaks during longer procedures whenever you need them.
We welcome private patients from Hythe and across Southampton — whether you're registering as a new patient or visiting for a single course of treatment while staying with your current dentist.
"I firmly believe that dentistry doesn't have to be unpleasant or scary, and that often it can be life-changing."
DR NIKOS LOUSKOS
Our Principal Dentist
Meet Dr NikosLouskos.
DDS · MSc Endodontics · GDC No. 102626
Principal dentist and practice owner, with a special interest in endodontics.
Dr Nikos Louskos qualified in Athens in 2005 and moved to the UK in 2006. He worked as an associate at Waterside before taking ownership of the practice in 2017.
In 2016 he completed a Master's in Endodontic Practice at Queen Mary University of London. He accepts referrals for complex root canal cases, which he treats under a microscope, and enjoys all aspects of general dentistry.
Nobody wants surprises after a dental visit. You'll get an itemised treatment plan with exact costs before anything begins, plus monthly payment options to spread the cost.
Finance is provided by Tabeo and is interest-bearing from 9.9% APR. Practice-plan discounts apply to selected treatments — full terms are listed on the Fees and Plans pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions patientsask us.
A few of the things patients ask us most often. If your question isn't here, just get in touch — we're happy to talk it through.
A child examination is £27.50, or £46 for a first visit. If any X-rays are needed they are £15 each, and we always explain why before we take them. We are a private practice, and our Practice Plan lets you spread routine family care across simple monthly payments.
As soon as their first teeth come through, or by their first birthday, is a good time to start. Even before that, bringing them along to your own appointments helps them get used to the place. These first visits are about getting comfortable, not treatment.
No. A check-up is a gentle look at your child's teeth with plenty of chat, and nothing that hurts. If your child ever does need treatment, we use The Wand, which numbs the area without the big needle or the sting, and we always go at their pace.
Usually every six months, but we will tell you what suits your child. Some need watching a little more closely while their teeth and jaw are developing, and others are fine on the standard six months.
Gently, and without rushing. Appointments here are longer on purpose, so there is time to let your child settle. We explain everything in simple words, you stay with them throughout, and we give lots of praise. The more relaxed the early visits are, the easier every visit after them tends to be.
Only when we need to see something we cannot see by looking, such as decay between the teeth or an adult tooth that is on its way. Our X-rays are digital, so the dose is far lower than older film, and we always explain why one is needed first.
We tell you what we have found and show you, then explain the options and the cost before anything is decided. Nothing is done on the day beyond the check-up itself. Because we see children regularly, most things we find are small and simple to deal with.
Often, yes. Bringing children along to your own appointments early on is one of the best ways to stop them being frightened of the dentist later. Just let us know when you book and we will do our best to arrange it.
Whether you'd like to book or just have a question about treatment, send us a message and a member of the team will get back to you — the same day wherever we can.
