4 things to consider for your dental cover in 2026
Thinking about updating your dental cover? There are a few must-knows before you pick a new provider.
Sponsored by ahm. As Finder's 2026 Health Fund of the Year, ahm offers straightforward health insurance cover with a variety of extras options to suit your lifestyle.
When it comes to health insurance extras, dental cover is one of the most commonly used benefits.
So, when you're picking your dental cover, it's crucial to choose one that's going to suit your needs and those of your family.
With this in mind, we take a look at some of the dental cover features available through ahm.
Learn more about dental cover with ahm
1. No gap dental
Unless you're a shark, you only get two sets of teeth to last you your whole life. So, getting regular dental check-ups is essential!
Check-ups can help spot minor issues before they become major ones. And of course, you really can't go past the feeling of a professional clean.
With this in mind, ahm offers policyholders up to two dental check-ups each financial year, with no out-of-pocket cost through participating no gap dentists.
To find an eligible dentist (and to see the T&Cs), you can check the ahm website.
2. Extras limit rollover
With a lot of health insurance providers, extras are "use 'em or lose 'em".
So, if you don't get the chance to use them before your policy's time limit, they're gone forever. And let's be honest, no one likes paying for things they don't use.
But there is good news on the horizon!
This year, ahm is rolling over unused routine dental annual limits.
If you join extras by June 30, you could get up to double your annual limit for routine dental. Where routine dental is part of a shared limit, all services on that limit will rollover.
If you've got specific plans for your dental care over the next 12 months, using these additional limits could go a long way to offsetting the costs.
And of course, it's always handy to have extra time to use your unused annual limits - just in case the unexpected happens.
Service limits (e.g. 2 dental check-ups per financial year) and waiting periods may apply. You can find all of the other fine print on the ahm website.
Routine dental vs major dental
Most dental extras cover is oriented around what's called "routine" dental. This includes things like X-rays, examinations, cleaning and polish, extractions and minor procedures like fillings.
However, some dental procedures are more complex. These are classed as major dental e.g. indirect restorations, crowns, veneers, Bridgework, implants and dentures.
Cover is available for major dental through some ahm extras covers. So before you take up a new policy, make sure you check carefully to see if the procedures you want covered are included.
3. Planning ahead
Dental cover isn't just about getting issues sorted in the moment and maintenance.
It's also about prepping for the future, too.
For example, if you have kids - well, there's a high chance they'll need orthodontic care when they hit the teen years.
The waiting period for orthodontics is 12 months, longer than most extras services. Getting cover earlier means the waiting periods are more likely to be served by the time you need assistance with the costs for items like braces, plates and retainers.
So being prepped can help you and your kids get the care you need, when you most need it too.
4. Extra inclusions
It's always great to get extra value when you can -- and protecting your teeth is no exception.
As an example, ahm provides members with the ability to access a custom-made mouthguard, which is included under 'routine dental'.
So, if you (or your kids!) are into sports, bonuses like this can help you stay protected for the big game.
Congratulations, ahm!
ahm was a big winner in the 2026 Finder Provider of the Year Awards.
- Winner, Provider of the year - Health Fund
Learn more about ahm