15 Nov Payment Options For General Dentistry
When it comes to all types of dentistry, including general dentistry, it can be difficult to know what you can afford. What is covered, what isn’t, gap payments, who is and isn’t eligible… it can definitely get confusing quickly!
When you don’t have the budget to pay upfront for the dentistry service you or your child need, it’s understandable if you feel a little lost. It’s reasonable to feel confused and overwhelmed by the options, but having an understanding of your dentistry payment options is vital— and not as complex as it may look at first glance.
This article explains the different payment options for dentistry services, including Medicare, Afterpay, and dental insurance. For personalised advice, contact our team at Boroondara Family Dentist today.
Payment Options For Dentistry And General Dentistry
Whether you need a filling, root canal, extraction, or a general check-up and cleaning, it’s important to know what covers what and when.
1. Medicare
Adults: Generally speaking, Medicare doesn’t cover dental care for adults. However, depending on where you live, an adult with a Health Care Card or Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card may be eligible for public dental services. With that being said, the wait time can be quite long, up to a year or more in some cases.
Children: The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) allows children to be bulk billed, which is where you don’t pay anything yourself or ‘out of pocket’. No referral is required.
This service is available to children whose families are receiving government benefits such as regular payments from Centrelink. This also applies if the child themselves is receiving a government benefit. To be eligible for the CDBS, the child or caregiver must be receiving a government benefit payment at least once per year.
Children eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule must be 0 to 17 years old for at least one day in that calendar year. The CDBS covers up to $1,026 over two calendar years for general dentistry, which includes:
- Check-ups
- Cleaning
- X-rays
- Fissure sealing
- Fillings
- Root canals
- Extractions
If you’re unsure whether you or your child are eligible or are wondering if you’ve reached the payment limit, our friendly team at Boroondara Family Dentist is happy to check for you and let you know.
2. Afterpay
Afterpay allows you to obtain dental services when you need them and repay them in four equal payments, interest-free, every two weeks. With Afterpay you can receive the dental treatment you need straight away without having to wait to save up and pay the full cost of the treatment at the time.
To find out if you’re eligible for Afterpay, download the app on your phone and sign up with its quick and easy sign-up process. You’ll know if you’ve been approved within seconds. It’s that easy!
Once you’re approved, check your spending limit in the app and book your dentistry appointment. After your appointment, you can then use the app to generate a barcode to be scanned at the front desk. The next step is to walk out happy, knowing you got the dental treatment you needed and can now start paying it off. Afterpay will debit your first fortnightly payment from the debit card you provided, and your payment schedule will be displayed in the app.
3. Dental Insurance
Many Australians use health insurance to pay for dentistry services. While dentistry generally isn’t included in standard health insurance policies, you can add ‘Extras’ and opt to have dental services covered as well.
As health insurance policies come with varying levels of coverage, the specific services covered will depend on your individual policy. For dentistry, there are four main categories:
General dental, which may include:
- Check-ups
- Scale and cleans
- Simple fillings
- Mouthguards
- X-rays
- Tooth extractions
- Tooth whitening
Major dental, which may include:
Endodontics, which may include:
- Root canal therapy
- Periodontics
Orthodontics, which may include:
Health insurance may cover dentistry in a private hospital for procedures such as wisdom teeth removal or dental implant surgery. In these cases, it’s usually covered under the ‘Hospital’ portion of your policy rather than the ‘Extras’. If you’re unsure which policy may be best for you, there are many comparison websites that allow you to see what certain companies include or exclude.
Cosmetic And General Dentistry In Balwyn North
At Boroondara Family Dentist, we’re happy to provide the dentistry services you need in a way that suits you. Whether you need cosmetic or general dentistry, our experienced dentists can’t wait to help you smile with confidence once again. To book an appointment or further discuss your payment options, contact our friendly and knowledgeable team today.
