Oral Function Consultations

Children’s oral function, breathing and dental development


A children’s oral health therapist smiling while delivering an online consultation on her laptop, seated at a wooden table with plants in the background.

When “wait and see” doesn’t sit right.

Mouth breathing, restless sleep, chewing difficulties, or crowded baby teeth are often brushed off as “normal” or something children will grow out of.

These online consultations help you understand your child’s oral function in context, so you’re not left guessing what’s normal, what matters, and what to do next.

A children’s oral health therapist engaging a young child with a puppet during an online oral health consultation.

What support can look like...

Understanding:

  • Causes behind ongoing mouth breathing

  • Oral function and dental development

  • Sleep, habits, and airway influences

Practical guidance:

  • Thumb, finger, and dummy strategies

  • Age-appropriate oral muscle exercises and nasal breathing techniques

Support + navigation:

  • Evidence-informed dental and orthodontic options

  • Referrals to trusted in-person providers when needed

Explore Consultation Options

Support and advice from a holistically-minded children's Oral Health Therapist, available online Australia-wide.

Graphic icon for children’s oral function consultation service, featuring the words “Oral Function” on three overlapping green circles.

Ages 1 to 17

Oral Function Consultation

90 minutes | $257

Avoid the “wait and see” trap. Get early support for your child’s growth and development.

Suitable for concerns with:

  • Mouth breathing

  • Chewing and swallowing

  • Dummy or thumb habits

  • Tongue, lip and jaw function

  • Sleep-related issues

  • Dental development

Ongoing Care service graphic representing return oral health consultations for children, shown as three overlapping green circles with the text “Ongoing Care.”

Ages 0 to 17

Returning Consultations

45 minutes | $149

For existing families wanting ongoing support, an updated plan or a check-in.

Suitable for:

  • Review of progress

  • Updates on specialist outcomes

  • New concerns or questions

  • Next-step planning

Is this the right step for your family?

An Oral Function Consultation is a good fit if:

  • You’ve noticed things aren't quite right with how your child uses their mouth

  • You want to understand what matters and how you can help your child now

  • You're looking for a thorough review of your child's sleep and breathing health

If you’re unsure, starting with our parent resources like Toddler Top 10 or Foundations for Growing Faces can be a great first step before booking.

Children’s Oral Health Therapist demonstrating holistic dental health education with a playful puppet during an online consultation setting.

Have we met?

Hey, I'm Mel Van Schelven

AHPRA Registered Dental Practitioner

I’m an Oral Health Therapist and Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist supporting Australian families with oral health, oral function and dental development.

Why families choose my approach:

  • I look at children’s dental health through a root-cause, whole-child perspective that’s shaped around your family’s needs and preferences.

  • Unlike in a traditional dental practice, I have the time to listen and explain.

  • My work is grounded in airway health, oral function and early intervention, with additional training through organisations including The Australian Association of Orofacial Myology, The MINDD Foundation & Myo Munchee.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does my child need to attend their telehealth appointment?

Not necessarily. Many families choose to attend without their child, especially for toddlers and preschoolers. Older children and teens are welcome to join if you feel it would support their understanding of their dental health or oral function.

I'm looking for support for more than one child. Can I book them in the same appointment?

Consultations involve a detailed look at one child’s individual needs, development and oral health or oral function concerns. For this reason, appointments are for one child only.

Are there Medicare or health fund rebates available?

Currently, there are no Medicare or private health rebates available for 'Teledentistry' or Orofacial Myology services in Australia. The full service fee will apply.

Do you offer Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy services?

The Face Place does not currently offer formal Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) programs. Many children still make meaningful progress with targeted education, simple home strategies, and the right referral pathway. OMT is also not suitable for children under the age of 5 years.

Can you help if my toddler is mouth breathing or snoring?

Yes. Many families book to understand whether mouth breathing, snoring or open-mouth posture is affecting their child’s oral health, sleep or dental development. I can help you identify contributing factors and guide you on appropriate next steps or referrals.

Do you support families with thumb sucking or dummy use?

Absolutely. Thumb sucking, finger habits and dummy use are common concerns in toddler and preschool years. I can help you understand their impact on oral function and dental development, and provide practical, gentle strategies to move forward.

Can you help me understand if my child needs orthodontic treatment?

Yes. While I don’t provide orthodontic treatment, I can help you understand early signs, growth patterns, and what questions to ask when seeing an orthodontist. Families often find this clarity invaluable before committing to treatment.

I am concerned about my baby's tongue and feeding. Can your consultations help?

If you have an oral function or feeding concern with your child who is under the age of 1, it is recommended that you seek the guidance of an Orofacial Myology trained International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.

The Face Place also offers digital resources for parents on this topic:
https://www.thefaceplaceofm.com.au/parent-resources

Do you provide written summaries after the appointment?

Yes. Every consultation includes a written summary with practical recommendations, tools and next steps, so you don’t need to remember everything discussed.

Get started today

Replace second-guessing and searching with clear, personalised guidance.