Best health insurance for dental in Australia
We've crunched the numbers to find the best value dental insurance policy from Finder partners, as of July 2022. All prices are based on a single earning less than $93,000 a year in Sydney.
- Best for No Waiting Period: ahm Lifestyle Extras
- Best for Dental Checkups: HCF Starter Extras
- Best for Major Dental: GMHBA Mid Extras Set Benefits
Compare policies with General Dental
Here are some extras policies from Finder partners with some level of dental cover, either general, major or orthodonics. All prices are based on a single individual with less than $93,000 income and living in Sydney.
Why compare health insurance with Finder?
-
We don't ask for your phone or email to see prices.
-
With 1 click, you can open your results to nearly every fund in Australia.
-
You pay the same price as going direct – we charge no fees.
Why compare with us
-
You'll pay the same price as going direct - we don't charge fees
-
We don't ask for your phone or email to see prices
How does dental insurance work?
Dental insurance is available with extras health insurance, as opposed to hospital insurance. Extras is the cheaper version and covers out-of-hospital servicies not available through Medicare such as dental, optical and physio.
Some policies will pay a percentage of your bill, up to a certain amount, when you visit the dentist. Others will pay a set amount for specific services. It can cover you for:
General dental
Covers common procedures such as check-ups, teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments, X-rays and small fillings.
Major dental
Covers more complex procedures such as crowns, bridgework, veneers and implants.
Orthodontics
Covers specialist dentistry for aligning teeth and jaws. Treatments include braces, plates and retainers.
How much does dental work cost?
The price of specific dental treatments varies depending on your dentist, location and specific circumstances. However, a 2019 HealthEngine Survey sought to find the average cost of some common treatments in Sydney.
Procedure | Average cost | Lowest cost |
---|---|---|
Dental check-up | $166 | $40 |
White filling | $224 | $130 |
Wisdom tooth extraction | $366 | $150 |
Teeth whitening | $470 | $150 |
Root canal | $1,225 | $550 |
More complicated dental work will be even costlier, especially braces. According to Orthodontics Australia, braces can cost anywhere between $6,000 and $9,000.
Type | Price |
---|---|
Clear aligners | $6,000 - $9,000 |
Ceramic braces | $6,500 - $9,500 |
Metal braces | $6,000 - $9,000 |
Lingual braces | $9,500 - $15,000 |
*Costs are based on a 15- to 18-month treatment period that also helps to correctly align the jaw.
Even with health insurance, dental work can still come at a significant cost. Thankfully, many dental practices now offer Afterpay or specialist payment plans to patients.
Child Dental Benefits Schedule
The Services Australia Child Dental Benefits Schedule does offer dental benefits to some children. To be eligible, your child must
- Be eligible for Medicare
- Be between 0 and 17 years old
- Receive a payment from the Australian governmnet at least once a year
You can check if your child is eligible on the Services Australia website.
State dental benefits
Queensland
The following groups can receive free publicly funded emergency dental treatment in Queensland:
- All children between age 4 and year 10 of secondary school.
- Children outside of that range who have a concession card or are dependents of a concession card holder.
- Children in the custody of the Director-General, Department of Communities or Child Safety and Disability Services.
- Adults with a Pensioner Concession Card from the Department of Veterans' Affairs or Centrelink, a Health Care Card, a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card or a Queensland Seniors Card.
You must be a Queensland resident and you must receive your treatment in a public dental facility.
New South Wales
In New South Wales, emergency dental care is free for the following people:
- All children under 18.
- Any adult with a valid Centrelink concession card (plus anyone else listed on the card).
You must also have a valid Medicare Card and get your treatment at a New South Wales public dental clinic.
Australian Capital Territory
You are able to access dental services in the ACT if you hold a:
- A Centrelink-issued Pension Concession or Health Care Card.
- A Veteran's affairs card.
- An ACT Services Access card.
Victoria
In Victoria, the following groups are eligible for free emergency dental care in a community health centre or public dental hospital:
- All children up to the age of 12.
- Children up to 18 who are eligible for the Child Dental Benefit Schedule, are in out-of-home care provided by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing or in custodial care.
- Children up to 17 who have a valid concession card or are the dependent of someone with a concession card.
- Refugees, asylum seekers, Indigenous Australians, Torres Strait Islanders and mental health patients.
Adults who have a valid Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card will receive emergency dental care in a community health centre or public dental hospital for $29.50. Everyone else can use the public facilities, but you'll be charged rates that are similar to what you'd find in a private facility.
Tasmania
The following groups are eligible for publicly funded dental treatment in Tasmania:
- All children up to 18 years of age will receive free treatment.
- Adults with a Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card will receive treatment for a small fee.
You must visit a public dental facility to be eligible.
South Australia
If you belong to one of the following groups, you are eligible for publicly funded dental treatment in South Australia:
- Dental treatment is free for all babies and children not yet in school as well as school-aged children under 18 who have a Health Care Card, are members of the School Card Scheme or are dependents of someone with a Pensioner Concession Card.
- All other children under 18 are eligible for dental treatment if they pay a small fee.
- Adults with a Pensioner Concession Card or a Health Care Card are eligible for dental treatment if they pay a small fee.
- Adult Indigenous Australians and Torres Strait Islanders with a Pensioner Concession Card or a Health Care Card are eligible for free emergency dental treatment.
You must have your treatment in a public facility.
Western Australia
The following groups are eligible for publicly funded emergency treatment in Western Australia:
- All children 4 and under.
- Children 5-16 who are in school.
- People 17+ who hold a Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card.
You must receive your treatment in a public dental facility. If you live in a rural community and don't have access to a public clinic, you can use a private clinic but you will have to pay full price for treatment.
Northern Territory
You can access free public dental services in the Northern Territory if you meet one of the following:
- You're under 18 years old, as long you haven't finished school and don't work full time.
- You have a Centrelink Pensioner or Health Care Card.
- You're a remote resident in need of emergency dental care and don't have access to private care.
- You're part of the Australian Government's cleft lip and cleft palate scheme.
- You're more than 100km from your nearest health service.
Why you can trust Finder's health insurance experts
We're free
Our health insurance engine is completely free to use. You pay the same as buying directly from the health insurer. Better still, we regularly run exclusive deals that you won't find on any other site.
We're experts
We've researched and rated hundreds of policies as part of our Finder Awards. We've published 250+ guides and our in-house experts regularly appear on Sunrise, 7News and SBS News.We're independent
Unlike other comparison sites, we're not owned by an insurer. That means our opinions are our own and you can compare nearly every health fund in Australia on the site (and find a better deal).
We're here to help
Since 2014, we've helped 350,000+ people find health insurance by explaining your options simply. We'll never ask for your number or email to see prices. We're here to help you make a decision.Frequently asked questions
More guides on Finder
-
Finder’s RBA Survey: All experts confident the cash rate will hold
For the third time this year, all experts agree we’re in for a cash rate hold in May.
-
Remember when we thought interest rates would fall? Ha.
Economists were becoming confident that a rate cut was imminent in 2024, but inflation figures have changed some minds.
-
International students in Australia: What insurance do you actually need?
Insurance can be confusing when you first arrive in Australia but only health insurance is compulsory – others can be good to have depending on your situation.
-
How many broke Australians are avoiding the doctor and what’s the risk?
Nobody likes going to the doctors but there’s a worrying trend developing in Australia.
-
The Tyro Small Business Hub
SPONSORED: Grow your business with the right payment system, banking tools and financial resources.
-
Are you missing out on bonus interest? 3 ways to maximise your savings
SPONSORED: Saving money is about more than just stashing cash. By getting smart with the way you save, you can build wealth better.
-
To buy a home or not to buy a home? That’s the question for Australians
As property prices continue to soar and the economy gets back on its feet, many millennials are forgetting about saving for a home and opting for holidays instead.
-
Queenslanders! Here’s how you can get the new $1,000 energy rebate
This is double the rebate paid to QLD households in the current financial year.
-
Losing sleep, hair and their cool: 10 million Aussies suffer unexpected consequences from high cost of living
From accelerated ageing to arguments with loved ones, the cost of living is taking its toll, according to new research by Finder.
-
Finder Exclusive: Earn 10,000 extra Qantas Points* — on top of existing bonus points offers
Get 10,000 bonus points if you're an eligible first time cardholder who hasn't had a Qantas points earning card in the last 12 months.