economy_1

We are just busy making our permenant move to Australia.My hubby is doctor by profession and we spent 10 years in UK.My husband recently got temporary work permit to work in regional Australia.We have 3 young children with dental problems.Hubby was working for NHS as Speciality Registrar (ST3).

NHS Dental coverage is free in UK specially for children who are under 18 years of age.

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/1786.aspx

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1781.asp...CategoryID=742

Is there anything like Medicare (Dental) coverage comparable to NHS (Dental) in Australia?Should we specially get a private insurance to get dental cover?

IvanM

There are two elements to private health

Hospital Cover
Extras

Extras covers a portion of dental expenses. Like most extra cover the payouts are limited. Medicare coverage of dental is limited and has long waits.

goldchoccycoin

There is dental cover for school children in Australia - however, I think it only covers basics like clean, polish, fillings etc.

Unless orthodontic work is medically/surgically necessary then you'll have to pay yourself (which private help can help cover a portion)

http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/...een-dental.jsp

Bermudashorts

I didn't bother with the dental cover on my health insurance as the cap was so low compared to the price of treatment here. Expect to pay $$$.

Swerv-o

Yup me too.

I do have this however:

http://www.smile.com.au/

It reduces the cost of dental by about 15% at designated practices, and if used in conjunction with your health insurance, can reduce the costs even more, however still expect to pay $$$.

Some of my friends fly to Singapore or Bankok for major dental treatment, as it's still often cheaper even with the holiday.


S

quoll

There are some specific programmes for kids with craniofacial conditions which lead to the need for specialised dentistry (in most state capitals children's hospitals) but if by "dental problems" you mean a need for orthodontics then the extras on a private health insurance may cover some of the cost as long as it isn't a pre-existing condition and you satisfy any waiting periods. Otherwise bargain basement is going to be at least $5k per kid but if you pay it all up front that takes you over the medical expenses threshold for tax purposes and you will get a bit of a rebate at tax time.

Amazulu

Public funded dental care is very limited in Australia. Many people in the UK have limited, or no, access to NHS dentistry (we fortunately did) anyway. Private medical covers a portion and the longer you have been with a fund, the more coverage you get. We have been with HBF since arriving in Australia and now get a lot back on dental.

We have probably had more out of medical insurance than we have put in.

IvanM

Some health funds have their own dentists which have a minimal gap.

My own recommendation in Australia is to have a stash of money of at least $10,000 for medical needs.

I have a implant coming up (dental not breast) which will set me back thousands.

Amazulu

I had some implants about 2 years ago. HBF covered about 40% of the cost. Medicare covered a bit too as I needed some surgery.

Medical insurance works well and you pay more tax without it.

IvanM

Definitely worth it for my family but the gaps can be a shock for those used to the NHS. That is not just dentistry.

Amazulu

Sure, the NHS is good and I had few complaints when using it but it is breaking the UK financially and the current system cannot be sustained.

Australia's hybrid model is far more sustainable.

Grayling

and incredibly wasteful and inefficient

chris955

Yes I dont think either system is sustainable long term.

IvanM

Nothing tax rises cannot fix. Both parties have their head in the sand on that one.

Amazulu

The voters do too.