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Visiting a dentist in Australia

Apr 27, 2022
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August is Dental Health Month, so here's a reminder that oral health can play an important role in your overall well-being.

COVID-19 might have put your plans on hold if you were planning to go home to have dental work done in 2020 or 2021. Whether you’re looking for a simple clean and check-up, or a sudden toothache has arisen, there a few simple tips to know when seeing a dentist in Australia.

1. Your local dentist is the first place of contact for your dental health needs

Your local dentist is the first person you should see for any dental healthcare problems. If you need more specialised care, your dentist can refer you to a dental specialist.

2. Make an appointment

It’s important to make an appointment before seeing your dentist.
Find your nearest Bupa Dental clinic

3. Dentists can do much more than just cleaning your teeth

Aside from a general check up and clean, dentists in Australia can also prevent and treat oral health problems by:

repairing teeth damaged by decay or trauma
treating conditions of the mouth and teeth
carrying out various procedures, such as routine extractions (teeth removal)
using x-rays to detect abnormalities and plan treatment
making dentures and other oral appliances, such as mouthguards.

4. Prepare for your dental appointment

To prepare for your appointment, it is a good idea to:

wear comfortable clothing
brush your teeth
bring a list of medication that you take regularly
bring a list of any allergies to medication or bad reactions you have had to local anaesthetics
have a list of questions you may want to ask

5. Remember to bring your private health insurance card if you have Extras cover

When it comes to paying for dental services, fees can vary depending on the dentist and where you live. Health insurance may reduce the bill but may not cover the whole cost. Make sure you bring your private health insurance card to your appointment.

If you don’t have Extras cover, this will mean that you’ll have to pay the full cost of your dental services.

Read more about how Extras cover helped International Student, Victor, get his dental work taken care of in the most affordable way.

6. Ask for a quote – particularly for complex dental procedure

You can always ask for a quote for the costs of a dental procedure. This is especially important if you are having complex treatment, such as orthodontic treatment. Private health insurance may cover some of the cost depending on your level of Extras cover, so it’s a good idea to ask for a quote to check if you need to make a gap payment.

Wellbeing

General Advice Warning: This advice is general and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether the advice is appropriate for you and your personal circumstances. Before you make any decision about whether to acquire a certain product, you should obtain and read the relevant product disclosure statement.

All information above has been provided by the author.

Bupa

This article originally appeared on Bupa.com.au/international-community and has been published here with permission.