Good dental care is essential for keeping our smiles and bodies healthy. However, you may find yourself asking how much does the dentist cost? Whether you’re booking a check-up, considering preventative treatment or need more extensive treatment, it is good to know what to expect.
Does Medicare cover dental?
Medicare generally does not cover routine dental care. However, there are some exceptions:
Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)
If you have kids aged 2-17, they may get up to $1,095 over two years for essential dental services like check-ups, X-rays, cleaning, fillings, root canals, and extractions. There are some restrictions for basic dental services, which you should check with your dentist before starting treatment, and orthodontic services are not covered.
To see if your child is eligible, visit the Services Australia website.
Public Dental Services
Each state and territory offers a different service to patients. In most cases, adults with a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card might be eligible for public dental services. These can include emergency and general dental care. To find out what’s available where you live, visit your state or territory health department website:
- New South Wales: NSW Health
- Australian Capital Territory: ACT Health
- Northern Territory: Department of Health
- Queensland: Queensland Health
- South Australia: SA Health
- Tasmania: Oral Health Services Tasmania
- Victoria: Department of Health
- Western Australia: Dental Health Services
What about private health insurance?
Private health insurance can also help reduce the cost of dental treatments. There are two types of dental cover; general dental – which covers routine treatments like check ups and cleanings and major dental – which covers more complex and costly treatment like root canals, crowns, fillings and braces.
It can be hard to decide on the right health insurance for you and your family, since there are so many options out there.To make sure you find the best fit, compare policies by checking the limits, level of cover and life stage of the cover.
How can simple habits keep your family’s dental costs down?
You can keep dental costs down by focusing on simple, everyday habits that keep your teeth healthy. Regular dentist visits for cleanings and check-ups help catch issues early before they become expensive problems. Brushing and flossing daily, along with eating a balanced diet low in sugary snacks, can prevent cavities and gum disease. By staying on top of these easy steps and making use of affordable dental care options, you’ll keep your family’s smiles bright and your dental bills lower.
Can I pay for dental treatment with my Super?
Yes, you can use your superannuation to pay for dental treatment through SuperCare. SuperCare supports individuals and their families during medical needs by assisting with the application process for Compassionate Release of Superannuation (CRS). This allows you to access your superannuation to cover the costs of essential dental treatments, relieving the financial stress. See the SuperCare website for more information.
Gosford Family Dentist provides affordable dental care on the Central Coast
Regular check-ups and good oral hygiene are key to keeping dental problems and costs at bay. We offer medicare options, private insurance and different payment methods including ZipPay& Afterpay that help make sure everyone in the family gets the dental care they need. Contact the friendly team at Gosford Family Dentist today on 4325 3221 to book your next appointment.
