Nurturing Smiles Dental

Children’s in home Dental Care &

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

Every visit is fun, inclusive and family-friendly because a positive start creates a lifetime of healthy smiles

Hi, I’m Kristy Barnsley

I am a APHRA registered Dental Therapist and Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist. I have had 20 years working with children and families throughout Western Australia. With a strong interest in sensory-friendly practices, early intervention and sleep disordered breathing. I believe that the mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body. If the mouth is not functioning correctly, it affects the overall health of the body. Every child’s smile tells a bigger story than just teeth. My holistic approach looks beyond the mouth to support your child’s dental, overall health and wellbeing.

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What is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is a non-invasive intervention which focuses on how the muscles of the face, tongue, lips and jaw work together. These muscles play an important role in breathing, swallowing, chewing, speech and overall facial growth. When they’re not functioning well, children can develop habits- like mouth breathing or low tongue posture- that affect their dental development and oral health, sleep quality, and long-term health.

OMT uses gentle, targeted exercises to retain these muscles to work the way they’re designed to. It’s a safe and child-friendly approach that helps create a strong foundation which supports growth and development and can improve oral and overall health.

Want to know why it matters for children and how therapy works?

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Helping kids thrive through restoring balance & proper function for optimal oral development

What do we do?

Children's Dental Examinations & preventive dental care

Do you struggle to get your child to the dental clinic due to sensory needs, young children or dental anxiety?
The highest quality of dental care with a focus on patient centered care, sensory friendly practices, and meeting your child where they are at, all can be completed in the comfort of your own home. This includes full comprehensive and routine dental examinations for children from age 6 months up to 18 years. Including preventive dental care, oral health education, scale and cleans and professional topical applications.
Thumbsucking & habit cessation Program

Have a child who hasn’t been able to stop their thumb sucking habit?
The Happy Hands Healthy Habits Program© is a gentle and orofacial myofunctional therapy evidence-based approach to stopping thumb sucking and restore balance and proper functions for optimal oral development. This program is from age 4 and up.
If your child is younger than age 4, please contact for advice and support.
Orofacial Myofunctional Assessment

Do you have concerns that your child is mouth breathing during the day or at night? Does your child have a low tongue posture or poor oral tone? Is your child having problems sleeping? Has your child been identified having a tongue thrust? Does your child have crowding, high palate or TMJ (Jaw) issues?
You child may have an Orofacial Myofunctional Dysfunction/Disorder. An assessment will evaluate the muscle function and effectiveness of the mouth, head and airway. From age 4 and up. OMT typically commences age 5.
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Sessions

Has your child been identified as a having an orofacial myofunctional therapy disorder/dysfunction?
An individualised Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy program with regular support and reviews to help your child achieve goals that suits your family and time commitments. This usually or can involve a multi-disciplinary approach with your health care providers to optimise your child’s growth and development.