However, our study also demonstrates the major effect of COVID‐19 on dental care for children. Lack of timely dental care, including preventative measures, is likely to lead to more severe oral disease; complex treatment options, such as extractions and hospitalisation; and poor health outcomes, including pain and infection. Even prior to COVID‐19, dental problems were the leading cause of preventable childhood hospitalisation of children under 10 years in Victoria, with over 3000 hospitalisations per year. 2  In tertiary settings, paediatric dentists work within multidisciplinary teams and often take on a coordinating role for patients with craniofacial conditions, and the lack of such support may exacerbate distress and anxiety in families.