From mouth breathing and thumb sucking to crowded teeth, broken sleep and stubborn dummy habits - The Face Place gives you a clear path forward.
Your child is stuck in a thumb sucking or dummy habit and you’re at your wit's end.
You’ve already seen an ENT for mouth breathing or sleep concerns… but still feel like something’s missing.
Your child doesn’t have gaps between their baby teeth and “start saving for braces” doesn’t feel like enough of an answer.
Your child has tongue, lip or cheek ties and you're overwhelmed by conflicting opinions.
You're sick of being told "less sugar, more fluoride" is the answer to your child's tooth decay.
You've got a mental list of things that don't seem right with your child's mouth and you need someone to put it all together.
At The Face Place, we look at how breathing, tongues, sleep, and dental development are connected, instead of treating them as separate issues. Using orofacial myology and holistic dental principles, we help little mouths and muscles work better, support healthier habits, and give you clear, personalised next steps for your child. All consultations are online, so families across Australia can access support without having to find a specialist nearby.
Mel Van Schelven AHPRA Registered Dental Practitioner
Mel plays detective with children’s sleep and breathing, trains tongues, and gives families the time and support they need.
She has been a guest lecturer at JCU's School of Dentistry and she is a regular guest on podcasts and in parent communities across Australia. Mel speaks to families and health professionals about children's oral function, airway health, and early dental development.
You don’t have to keep guessing, Googling, or waiting for someone to take your concerns seriously.