Many Australians use private health insurance to pay for dental care. Almost all policies provide rebates for routine dental services (examination, scale and clean, fluoride treatment, and fillings), but fewer cover major dental work like crowns.
A substantial number of PPH admissions could be avoided by accessible, affordable, routine dental care. It is achievable by utilising the Oral Health Therapists (OHT) workforce. For more affordable dentist Adelaide, check this out.
Preventive care
Maintain a healthy, natural-looking smile with comprehensive dental treatments that address various problems. Treatments include dental fillings, tooth crowns, root canal therapy, and wisdom teeth removal.
Dental costs vary widely from dentist to dentist. It is because, unlike medical services covered by Medicare, there are no standard fees for dental work.
The Australian government provides a public dental service for children called the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). Most dental clinics bulk bill for services that are included in this scheme.
Routine check-ups
Dental fees and prices vary widely from practitioner to practitioner. That is because dentistry doesn’t have prescribed fees or treatment methods, unlike medical services covered by Medicare.
Most Australians pay for dental care through private health insurance. Private health insurance rebates are a percentage of dental costs or a fixed dollar per service. Typically, the most significant health funds offer comprehensive dental coverage. However, some smaller funds have narrower cover.
X-rays
X-rays identify issues such as tooth decay and the location of bone loss. They are also helpful in assessing the success of root canal therapy or when considering dental implants. There are two types of X-rays: intraoral and extraoral. Intraoral X-rays include bitewing, periapical and occlusal. For more affordable dentist Adelaide, check this out.
New patients with private health can receive a check-up and two bitewing X-rays for $79 (item number 011). This offer excludes fluoride treatment.
Fillings
Many dental clinics offer low-cost or no-gap fillings for patients without private health insurance. Some also offer payment plans and dental membership programs for an annual fee.
The Australian government does not cover dental care like other health services. However, it does provide essential dental services for children under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule and eligible adults.
Dental fees and prices vary widely across Australia. That’s because dentists are not regulated like doctors and can set prices.
Crowns
Crowns are a standard dental treatment that strengthens and improves teeth’ shape, size or colour. They can also support broken teeth or large fillings. Taking care of your crowns and using toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth when brushing is essential.
VC Dental offers the newest type of ceramic crown called E-Max. These are computer-designed and milled from a single uniform block on a CAD/CAM machine. They offer the best optical quality and shade match compared to other ceramic crowns.
Root canals
A root canal is a dental procedure that removes the damaged nerve in a tooth. It is done to prevent infection and stop pain. It also restores the natural look of your teeth. The tooth is then filled with biocompatible material and sealed.
Many private health insurance companies do not cover endodontic treatment. It means you will have to pay the total cost of the treatment out-of-pocket. However, you can still receive affordable dental care by using third-party financing.
Wisdom tooth removal
The wisdom teeth are the third molars that erupt in the late teens and early twenties. However, they are often impacted and need to be removed. The surgery can be painful, but there are options for reducing pain and discomfort.
Australia’s public health system, Medicare, covers a limited number of dental procedures, including wisdom tooth removal. Private health insurance can also reduce out-of-pocket expenses for this treatment. However, the cost can vary significantly depending on the experience and skill of the dental professional.
Zoom teeth whitening
Teeth whitening is one of the least invasive cosmetic dental treatments available. It takes less than an hour and can lighten teeth up to eight shades.
Studies have shown that tooth whitening, when performed under the supervision of a dentist, is safe. However, it is not recommended for children under 13 or pregnant or breastfeeding women.