“Less sugar, more fluoride” isn’t the whole story.

The Face Place offers a holistic approach to tooth decay, product choices and your child's dental care.

We'll work well together if...

  • You're tired of walking out of your child's dental appointment feeling lost and confused.

  • You’ve been doing "all the right things”, but tooth decay keeps coming back.

  • You're conscious of product ingredients, but unsure of the best choices for your family.

  • You feel like no one is taking the time to explain things in your child's dental appointment.

  • You're interested in holistic dental care, but don't live near a holistic practice.

Here's the help you need.

Choose your level of support.

Graphic icon for children’s oral health consultation service, showing the words “Oral Health” on three overlapping green circles.

Ages 0 to 17

Holistic Dental Review

90 minutes | $257

This is a thorough, big-picture consultation.

We look at what’s really influencing your child’s dental health, from decay risk and daily habits to product choices and diet.

Best for:

  • Tooth decay causes and prevention

  • Enamel defects and tooth staining

  • Oral hygiene and product choices

  • Diet and habits impacting dental health

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

Dental Advice Session

30 minutes | $89

For when something's on your mind.

This session is a space to talk things through.

Best for:

  • A specific concern you’d like guidance on

  • Clarity around previous advice or recommendations

  • Figuring out whether something is worth monitoring or looking into further

Been here before? Welcome back!

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

Reformed mouth breather. Health detective. Not a fan of the "they'll grow out of it" approach.

I've helped families who were...

  • Unsure in the dental environment, feel confident navigating their child's treatment.

  • Overwhelmed by the toothpaste aisle, make the right choices for their family.

  • Eating a healthy diet and still experiencing tooth decay, tweak things to improve dental health.

  • Avoiding dental treatment out of fear or uncertainty, feel confident choosing the right path forward.

Sound familiar? Get started today.

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.

Can you diagnose my child's tooth decay or gum disease in an online appointment?

No. Online oral health consultations are not diagnostic and don’t replace in-person dental care. If a concern requires a clinical examination, I’ll guide you on what to do and who to see next.

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.

Can online oral health consultations help with tooth decay prevention?

Yes. Many families book to understand the underlying causes of tooth decay, including diet, mouth breathing, hygiene routines and mineral balance. I can help you develop a personalised prevention plan for your child.

Do you provide written summaries after the appointment?

If you book a Holistic Review, yes.

You’ll receive a written summary with key points, recommendations, and next steps — so you don’t have to remember everything we talk through.

For Advice Sessions, this is a verbal, discussion-based appointment, so no written summary is provided.

Resources for you...

  • Free

More Than Sugar

  • Download
  • 1 file

The "less sugar, more fluoride" message is outdated. You will feel confident in your child’s dental health with this clear breakdown of the 5 key factors in tooth decay.

  • $7

Infant Oral Health 101

  • Download
  • 1 file

Infant oral health is often overlooked. This guide brings it into focus. Learn the five key factors shaping your child’s mouth in the first three years, and how to support healthy development from the start.

  • $19

Oral Hygiene For Toddlers

  • Course
  • 4 Lessons

Discover simple strategies, useful tools, and reassuring guidance to help make daily toothbrushing calmer and more consistent. Clear over clinical, this guide helps you support your child’s oral health with confidence and ease.

Let's get you out of that toothpaste aisle and into knowing what actually matters.

Less Googling. Fewer mixed messages. Better decisions for your child’s teeth.