When you're getting the care you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy, you shouldn't have to worry about it what it costs. However, research shows that almost a third of Australians avoid or delay their dental visits because they're concerned about the price.[1]
If you're choosing a new dentist, one of the criteria you should look for is whether they offer flexible payment plans to help make your visits more affordable. You should also find out whether your insurance will cover your dental treatments, and by how much.
What factors affect dental costs?
There are no standardised costs for dental treatments in Australia.[2] The cost depends on a range of factors, including:
- where the clinic is located
- whether you require a specialist or a general practitioner
- the type of treatment and materials you choose
- how long the treatment takes and how complex your situation is
What's the average cost of dental treatments?
At Swish Dental, we aim to keep treatment costs as affordable as possible without compromising on quality. If we think you could benefit from a treatment, we'll discuss all the treatment options with you so you can choose the one that best suits your price range.
The average cost of dental implants in Australia is between $4,500 and $7,500 per tooth. Our implant fees are towards the lower end of that average, depending on your unique case.
The average cost of root canal therapy performed by a specialist ranges from $1,900 to $2,800, depending on the type of tooth being treated. Our specialist Dr Ralph offers services for 10% to 15% percent below the industry average.
Will my insurance cover it?
If you're covered by a health fund, it's important to check whether it's accepted by your dentist so you'll know if you're entitled to a rebate and member benefits.
At Swish Dental, we accept all major Australian health funds, though this may depend on which of our two Brisbane clinics you visit:
Our Everton Park branch is a preferred provider for Bupa, HCF, NIB and Smile.com.au.
Our Mitchelton branch is a preferred provider for Bupa, HCF, Medibank and NIB.
What if I can't afford a treatment?
Even if you're covered by insurance, there may still be out-of-pocket expenses to pay. Delaying a treatment because you think you can't afford it isn't recommended, as this could make the problem worse and more expensive to treat later.
If you can't afford to pay for your treatment right now, you should ask your dentist whether they offer flexible finance options. Spreading the cost over a series of payments tailored to your circumstances can help to make dental care more affordable, especially if your dentist doesn't charge interest.
At Swish Dental, we offer interest-free payment plans from $500 to $8,000, covering a range of treatments. This requires a 20% deposit.
Is dental care free for kids?
Parents of children aged 2 to 17 years will be pleased to know that the Australian Government's Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) now offers up to $1,000 over a two-year period for certain dental treatments, as long as your family meets the criteria.
This will usually be enough to cover their regular check-up and clean appointments and other basic dental services, but more complex treatments will still need to be paid.
Talk to a dentist in Brisbane
For more information about our payment options, or to book an appointment at Swish Dental, contact your local clinic today.
Call our Everton Park clinic on (07) 3355 1422 or our Mitchelton clinic on (07) 3354 3341. You can also book an appointment online.
References
[1] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Oral health and dental care in Australia 2015, Cost of dental care [Online] 2016 [Accessed April 2018]
[2] Australian Dental Association. Policy Statement 6.26 – Dental Fees [Online] 2017 [Accessed April 2018]