Oral health is really important to your overall health and wellbeing, so dental care isn't something you should neglect. Poor oral health can exacerbate existing health conditions and is associated with a number of chronic diseases.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 32% of Australians over 15 years old have untreated decay. On average, we spend $253 on dental services per year. Health insurance can help reduce those costs.
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:
Covers common procedures such as check-ups, teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments, X-rays and small fillings.
Covers more complex procedures such as crowns, bridgework, veneers and implants.
Covers specialist dentistry for aligning teeth and jaws. Treatments include braces, plates and retainers.
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.
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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.
I always get my dental covered through ahm. You get free dental check-ups if you book with Pacific Smiles. They've got a practice near where I live and another by my work, so I can be in and out in less than 45 minutes – because nobody wants to spend a lot of time at the dentist.— Gary Ross Hunter, insurance expert
The Services Australia Child Dental Benefits Schedule does offer dental benefits to some children. To be eligible, your child must
You can check if your child is eligible on the Services Australia website.
The following groups can receive free publicly funded emergency dental treatment in Queensland:
You must be a Queensland resident and you must receive your treatment in a public dental facility.
In New South Wales, emergency dental care is free for the following people:
You must also have a valid Medicare Card and get your treatment at a New South Wales public dental clinic.
You are able to access dental services in the ACT if you hold a:
In Victoria, the following groups are eligible for free emergency dental care in a community health centre or public dental hospital:
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.
The following groups are eligible for publicly funded dental treatment in Tasmania:
You must visit a public dental facility to be eligible.
If you belong to one of the following groups, you are eligible for publicly funded dental treatment in South Australia:
You must have your treatment in a public facility.
The following groups are eligible for publicly funded emergency treatment in Western Australia:
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.
You can access free public dental services in the Northern Territory if you meet one of the following:
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