Dental work can be costly. From a simple checkup to more comprehensive reconstructive or cosmetic surgery, dental bills can be outside of many Australians' budgets. But whether the dental work is necessary or elective, there are available financing options. Here we outline the different forms of dental finance available and what's involved.
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What is a dental loan?
A dental loan is a form of personal loan that is used to finance dental work. This may be a standard unsecured personal loan or secured personal loan, or a specialised loan from a specific lender. Some dental practices may also offer their own financing programs, or may be partnered with interest-free 'buy now, pay later' services. Credit cards can also be used to pay for dental bills in some cases.
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Loan amount: $2,000
Loan term: 62 days to 9 months
Turnaround time: 1 hour - conditions apply
Fees: 15% of loan amount + 3% of loan amount each month
Dental loans work by a bank or lender letting you borrow money to cover the costs of dental surgery or other dental costs. Depending on the type of loan, potential borrowers may be able to borrow as little as $100 or as much as $50,000.
Generally, the higher the loan amount, the longer people have to pay it back. However, this will depend on the financial circumstances of the applicant. Customers with bad credit ratings, for example, may only qualify for short-term, high interest loans, otherwise known as payday loans. Loan terms usually vary from between 16 days (for high interest payday loans) to around seven years. Or, if someone opts for a credit card, they may be able to choose a longer repayment period. Customers should be aware however, that credit cards usually come with higher interest rates than traditional personal loans.
How much does dental work cost?
Most people are aware that dental work can be expensive, but just how much can a visit to the dentist cost? For diagnostic preventative work, that is, where you visit the dentist for an oral exam, fluoride, or sealing, the costs can be between about $30 to $100, although calculus removal can cost as much as $150.
For surgery, such as extraction, costs will look closer to $300+. For restorative work, including fillings and cusp capping, you should be expecting to pay closer to $400. When you get into full surgical and restorative work, the bill could be anywhere between $1,500 and $5,000. Braces can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $10,000. For families with one or more children in need of braces, the costs can really add up.
Can I get dental work abroad?
With the prices of Australian dentistry so high, it is little wonder that a number of Aussies are heading overseas for dental work, otherwise known as 'medical tourism'. Depending on the level of work you require, the cost of a flight combined with the cost of care may work out cheaper than paying a local dentist. However, it's important to have the right insurance prior to making an overseas trip for healthcare services, as there may be risks involved.
Dental work loan options
Before applying for a dental loan, it's important to know the types of loans that are available. If you’re looking at getting dental loans then you have a few options open to consider:
Secured loan.A secured personal loan is usually used to finance a car purchase, but there are lenders who will let you make other purchases with this type of loan. Secured loans require asset security in case the borrower defaults on the loan. Asset security usually comes in the form of a vehicle or equity in your home, but some lenders also accept valuable jewellery or art as security. Assets must have a value greater than or equal to that of the loan. Secured loans often come with lower rates because the lender is taking less of a risk.
Unsecured loan. This type of loan does not require the use of any type of asset as a guarantee, but as such usually comes with higher rates and potentially higher fees because the lender is taking on a bigger risk. With unsecured loans customers can usually borrow between $1,000 and $50,000 and can use the loan amount for almost any purpose they wish.
Short-term loan. These loans, also called payday loans, are usually for amounts between $100 and $5,000 and may be an option if you need finance for emergency dental surgery. However, these loans usually have high fees and high interest rates attached to them. For payday loan amounts up to $2,000, Australia has a fee cap of 24% per $100 borrowed, made up of a 20% establishment fee and a 4% monthly fee. For example, a payday loan of $2,000 repaid over 1 year would total to repayments of $3,360 - that's a cost of $1,360 on a relatively small loan. Repayment periods on payday loans are usually quite short, usually between 60 days and one year.
Line of credit or overdraft. A line of credit or overdraft is where the bank allows you to overdraw your account up to a certain limit. You are able to redraw anywhere up to and including this limit and then repay it over time at a fixed rate of interest.
Credit card. You also have the option of using a credit card to pay for dental work. Depending on the limit of your card you may be able to cover the costs of surgery or any other visits or check-ups. Just keep in mind that the rate of interest on your credit card is likely to be higher than the rate of interest offered by other personal loans, and with no set repayment period you may fall into debt if you do not keep on top of your payments.
Specialist dental loan. There are some lenders that offer loans tailored to dentistry and can help you finance a range of procedures. Specialist loans include payment plans through your dentist as well as third-party providers.
Buy now, pay later. Buy now, pay later providers frequently partner with dental clinic to offer interest-free credit for dental procedures. Buy now, pay later solutions can be free or low-cost to use (if payments are made on time) but might be subject to limits and certain eligibility criteria. Repayments are usually required in 4-6 equal fortnightly installments.
Some personal loans that could be used for dental work:
Society One personal loan: 9.51% p.a. starting comparison rate. Lower rates for borrowers with good credit and no ongoing fees.
Harmoney peer-to-peer loan: 7.69% p.a. starting comparison rate. Harmoney matches investors with borrows and gives you a tailored rate based on your credit score.
Some questions to consider before applying for a dental loan:
What repayments can I afford? Use a loan calculator to work out the cost of a loan's repayments based on the loan’s interest rate and ongoing fees. See if this repayment will work with your budget.
How much do I need to borrow? Lenders place restrictions on how much customers can borrow with certain loan products, so check to see their minimum and maximum loan amounts before submitting an application. Keep in mind you may not be approved for the full amount you want, regardless of whether it’s below their maximum amount offered, as this will depend on the income and credit history of prospective borrowers.
When do I need the money? Different lenders will offer different turnaround times, so it might be worth talking to the lender to find out when could expect to be approved before you apply.
What is my credit history like? For borrowers with marks on their credit rating, restrictions to the types of finance that they will be able to access may apply, and they will likely be subject to higher interest rates than customers with good credit. Check the eligibility criteria offered by lenders prior to submitting an application. Borrowers can also check their credit score online.
Can I withdraw my super to pay for emergency dental work?
While you're normally not able to access your super until you reach preservation age, there are certain situations that will allow you to access your super early. Under 'compassionate grounds' you can apply with the Department of Human Services to access your super early to pay for medical costs, which includes dental work.
Before accessing your super, consider other options you may have available.
How to apply for a dental loan
The application process will differ depending on the lender that you apply with, as will the eligibility criteria. However, the minimum requirements for any finance application are that:
You are aged 18 or over.
You are an Australian citizen or permanent resident
You have some form of regular income
Click through to review pages on finder.com.au to find out what eligibility criteria is set by each lender and what documents you need to apply. If you've found a loan you want to apply for, click "Go to Site" to start your application.
Matt Corke is the head of publishing in Australia for Finder. He previously worked as the publisher for credit cards, home loans, personal loans and credit scores. Matt built his first website in 1999 and has been building computers since he was in his early teens. In that time he has survived the dot-com crash and countless Google algorithm updates.
I need dental work. I need dentures. I’ve had 2 implants but one is not good and needs replacing. Today my dentist tells me I need 4 implants in total in my lower jaw.
Today I had impressions taken for dentures and the sister was over $1500. I have private health insurance but it’s not going to cover a fraction of the cost.
I’m so worried. I’ve had a really traumatic time with my oral work since last October when I had a full dental clearance.
What are my options?
You can check this page for helpful information and where you can compare your options. Please fill out the search tool on the page and click on ‘Search Policies’ to provide you a list of dental insurances that suit your needs.
I can’t recommend a lender for you but you can compare your personal loan options on the page above. Click through to the review page to see eligibility criteria and when you can expect to receive your loan amount.
You can compare unsecured personal loans on the page above, which may be used for dental work (depending on your eligibility). If you’re looking for a short-term loan, you can compare them on this page.
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Do you really need a loan today?*
I need dental work. I need dentures. I’ve had 2 implants but one is not good and needs replacing. Today my dentist tells me I need 4 implants in total in my lower jaw.
Today I had impressions taken for dentures and the sister was over $1500. I have private health insurance but it’s not going to cover a fraction of the cost.
I’m so worried. I’ve had a really traumatic time with my oral work since last October when I had a full dental clearance.
What are my options?
Hi Kathryn,
Thanks for reaching out to us.
You can check this page for helpful information and where you can compare your options. Please fill out the search tool on the page and click on ‘Search Policies’ to provide you a list of dental insurances that suit your needs.
Hope this helps.
Best regards,
Rench
I need dental loan of $600 for Thursday 12/10
Hi Anna,
I can’t recommend a lender for you but you can compare your personal loan options on the page above. Click through to the review page to see eligibility criteria and when you can expect to receive your loan amount.
Hope this helps,
Elizabeth
I would like to get a loan to get my theeth fixed please thank you
Hi Joanne,
You can compare unsecured personal loans on the page above, which may be used for dental work (depending on your eligibility). If you’re looking for a short-term loan, you can compare them on this page.
Hope this helps,
Elizabeth