jameswipps

Hi,

Im new to the forum - I just moved from Essex to Melbourne and have been here 3 weeks. I really like the city and am in work and enjoying living here.

Unfortunately this week part of a filling fell out my tooth and the tooth now hurts. This is a pain because I could have had it replaced in England for 50 quid on the NHS.

So my questions are:

- how do i find a dentist in Melbourne (tried google and its not helping)?
- are there any cheap ways to get dentistry here (eg - can i get medicare as a new arrival, as I've got Aussies in London who have been on the NHS)

Any help would be appreciated.

James

Sherlock Holmes

Hi James,

You don't say what visa you are on so difficult to say if you'll get medicare. BUT even if you do, it won't cover dentistry such as a filling.

I got some help from medicare as I had to go into hospital to have my wisdom teeth out.

The dentist was private, I got medicare help with the day bed costs and the anesthetic.

A trip to the dentist is going to cost you.

Not sure about locating one in Melbourne I'm afraid. Try yellow pages (hard copy)

Cheers.

A.

HelenTD

This is where it's worthwhile having private medical cover, even if it's just for dental and optical. Apart from cover for teens from low income families, chronic disease patients and pension card holders, everyone else has to pay for dental treatments. As you've already found out, it can be very expensive. You could try your luck at getting treated by a student dentist at the university dental centre in Melbourne http://www.dhsv.org.au/public-dental...ces-available/. Hopefully someone in Melbourne will be able to let you know of any personal recommendations. You've got to have your tooth fixed - if you leave it, you might end up needing a crown and then you'll really be in pain.

Sherlock Holmes

Physically and financially.

HelenTD

Exactly, but I think the financial pain is greater.

Bermudashorts

One of my back teeth broke the other week on a very hard mint, so I asked colleagues for dentist recommendations. It is going to cost 2.5k to get fixed (crown). Most expensive mint ever.

I didn't take the dental cover with medibank because it was rubbish cover limited to about 1k a year, saving up premiums made more sense.

rodandhayley

I needed some work done in april it was cheaper for me to fly to thailand and have in done there than australia so thats what I did

By the way the treatment and service there is far better than you would get in oz too

may be a bit far for a filling though

koalakim

Hi

Short answer, expensive whatever.

Try the suburbs as it maybe cheaper, shop around.

Search this forum as dentistry comes up a lot of times and lots of advice has been given previously.

Been there, got the t-shirt and empty bank account thanks to a root canal - long story told before on a previous thread.

Go to Thailand or Seasiders and my man in Singapore - much cheaper!

Good luck...

scrubbedexpat020

I wonder why? http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum...7859&p=40#r787

HelenTD

We all chose the wrong subjects at school or uni. Re-training, anyone?

hobbis

Just been through toothache - ended up in Royal melbourne - paid 300+ dollars as I wasn't a benefit card holder. Foe this I received a temporary filling. Went to a dentist recommended by a friend. He wanted 900 dollars. Will wait until i go back to UK. I used the think I ended up with ore money in my pocket here ....... until I needed dental treatment !!!