The Face Place focuses on early intervention for children’s dental health and oral function.
I'm an Oral Health Therapist with over 15 years in the dental world.
These days, I’m no longer on the tools in a traditional practice. I focus on what’s happening behind the scenes with breathing and muscle function.
I help parents make sense of questions like:
What can I do about my child's mouth breathing?
How can I stop my child sucking their thumb?
Why are my toddler's baby teeth already crowded?
We turn those questions into practical next steps - training tongues, shifting habits, and supporting better breathing and sleep.
The muscles of the face, mouth and tongue do a lot more than most people realise. They shape how a child breathes, sleeps, chews, swallows and speaks. Over time, they influence how the face and jaw grow.
Orofacial myology is the study of these muscles and the patterns they fall into. Oro = mouth. Facial = face. Myo = muscles.
Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) is a structured, exercise-based approach to retraining those patterns. You can think of it like physiotherapy for the face and mouth. The goal is to establish nasal breathing, correct tongue rest posture, and build the muscle coordination that supports healthy development.
OMT is not recommended for children under five, where developmentally-appropriate strategies are the starting point.
At The Face Place, all treatment begins with an Oral Function Deep Dive so we can understand what's driving your child's concerns and determine the right time for targeted therapy.
Melanie Van Schelven BOralHlth (CQU)
Oral Health Therapist and Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist
I started out as a dental assistant back in 2011 and pretty quickly began noticing patterns that didn’t quite add up.
Kids brushing twice a day, but still dealing with irritated gums. Snoring. Teeth grinding. Crowding. Waking up tired.
That curiosity led me to study a Bachelor of Oral Health, followed by further training in Orofacial Myology.
And that’s where things started to click. Breathing, sleep, posture, diet, chewing - it’s all connected when it comes to a child’s oral health and development.
I live in a small rural town in the Whitsundays, where the bush meets the beach.
I'm a British crime drama superfan.
I always eat my favourite thing on my plate last.
I'm a wife to a shift-worker and mother to a toddler (which means I understand that time is precious and advice needs to be practical).
Mel Van Schelven is a registered Oral Health Therapist and an active member of leading professional associations in children’s dental health and oral function. These registrations reflect The Face Place’s commitment to evidence-based, ethical, and family-centred care.
Registered Dental Practitioner (Oral Health Therapist) with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Oral Health Association of Australia
Australian Association of Orofacial Myology
Australasian Society for Tethered Oral Tissues
Myo Munchee Certified Practitioner
MINDD Foundation Practitioner
Spot Life Neurodiversity Affirming Provider
Mel regularly undertakes continuing professional development in oral function, orofacial myofunctional therapy, airway health, and early intervention dental care. This ensures every family receives support grounded in current research and best practice.
Here’s what Mel has been studying recently:
Myo Munchee Bebe Protocols
Biome Dental Probiotics Webinar
Spot Life Neurodiversity Affirming Training
Dr Sophie Brock: The Missing Piece in Mother Care
Australian Orofacial Myology Collaboration Orofacial Myology 28 Hour Foundation Course
Myo Munchee Practitioner Certification
Australasian Society for Tongue and Lip Ties: Reconnect, Rediscover, Resolve Symposium
The MINDD Foundation Practitioner Training
American Association of Craniofacial Pain (Australian Chapter) 10th Symposium: Growth, Sleep and Pain
The Tongue Tie Institute Foundation Course
The Tongue Tie Institute Advanced Course: Children and Adults
The Thumbsucking Clinic Smiley Little Faces: Treating 0-4 Yrs for Dental Professionals
Australasian Society for Tongue and Lip Ties & Australian Association of Orofacial Myology Perfect Motion Symposium
Centre for Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Breathe, Feed, Eat and Sleep
OM Health Tongue Tie Today
OM Health Advanced Principles of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy for the Sleep Disordered Breathing Patient
Australian Academy of Orofacial Myology 4-Day Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Introductory Course
International Symposium on Dental Hygiene
Mel is passionate about making children’s oral health and oral function easy for families to understand. She is regularly invited to speak to parents and health professionals about children's oral function and airway health.
JCU School of Dentistry Guest Tutorial Lecturer
Guest Speaker: The Gentle Sleep Coach Membership
Guest Speaker: Oh Healthy Baby Membership
Guest Speaker: Cocoon and Cradle Sleep Made Simple Course
Guest Speaker: Rural Child Health Little Learnings Library
Guest Speaker: Kin Postpartum Services Kin Community Masterclass
Podcast Guest: The Science of Motherhood
Guest Speaker: Bowen Wellness Wave Lymphatic Health Workshop
Podcast Guest: Wild and Well
Mel supports families across Australia with concerns like mouth breathing, thumb sucking, sleep issues and early dental development. Her approach focuses on understanding how oral function impacts a child’s overall health and wellbeing.
If you're not sure where to start, a free discovery call is a no-pressure way to see if we're the right fit. If you already know you want a thorough look at your child's oral function or dental health, you can book directly online.