ohippy

Can anyone tell me if the cost of check ups etc is covered or part covered by Medicare as it is here in the UK ? Is it free for children ?

If not, then approx how much are check ups, fillings and x-rays as my teeth are really bad and I'm always needing fillings ?

Thanks - H

ABCDiamond

The answer is NO, it isnt free.
At my local dentist:

A standard check up cost $30
A clean cost $70
Two fillings costs $110 ($55 each)

An extraction cost $100 for a childs tooth.

A freee dental service, in teaching hospitals, is available, but only to Health Care Card holders, I think. Waiting time is not short.

ohippy

OMG - so as I generally get an abcess a year plus numerous fillings would I be better off getting dental insurance ?

ABCDiamond

Yep, I think that may be worthwhile for you. But check out the different companies for payment limits.

I don't have cover myself, so can't advise on this point.

ohippy

Does anyone know which companies in WA offer dental insurance ?

It'd be great if I could look up some details of policies and costs beforehand so I know wha I'm letting myself in for

Thanks

mary1

Even if you don't get hospital private health insurance you can get something called "extras" which cover you for dental,optical, physio and other "therapies".

You will still have to pay part of the bills but I have found it worth it.

Medibank Private and MBF are the biggest health funds in Queensland but I don't know about WA.

DianeOZ

I'm in Perth and we use HBF for our dental cover. I get about 1/3 - 1/2 back and also covered for physio and ambulance. I pay about $130 a quarter I think.

ohippy

Is the $130 just for you or does it cover a family ? I guess what concerns me most is my kids. If they end up needing braces (like it seems almost all kids over here do) it could bankrupt me !

DianeOZ

I need to upgrade mine to the next one up cos this one doesn't cover braces and the dentist said my son would need them. I think it will only be a few extra $$ per month though. That is for a family of 4.

owieb

Most of the private health funds have a waiting period for dental treatment (ie you can't claim during this period), anywhere from 3-6 months for normal dental work and 12 months for bigger jobs such are crowns, bridges and root canal work.

DianeOZ

Yup - I have a crown that needs "attending to" which will have to wait till June till I can claim. At $500 a pop then it'll have to wait till I can get 1/2 back!!

ohippy

That's a fortune !! Are there any plans which give 100% cover so you don't have to pay anything ?

Jacqui

I had a dental check-up today. Came out in a state of shock, not 'cos I'm scared of dentists, but how much it cost me! I'm glad I've never had problems with my teeth, for anyone likely to need crowns, root canal work, you must surely benefit from dental insurance?

The check-up I had included x-rays as this was the first time I've been to that practice - $96. The check-up was very thorough and the dentist took time to explain everything that he was checking for, much better than the quick poke about from my old NHS dentist. I need one filling replaced and a visit to the hygienist, that will set me back $196!!! Still if dental insurance (as someone quoted above) costs about $500 a year for basic cover, then I'm better off without it.

We have had excellent treatment for the kids from the school dentist. I can't understand why parents would want to go private. When my three first started school here, they had an initial consultation with the dental nurse, then a thorough check-up including x-rays for the eldest with the dentist. Then a good scale and polish. My eldest broke a front tooth a few months later, so we had to go back for emergency treatment, and the repair is so good you can't tell it isn't her real tooth. The dental check-ups are normally once a year, but because my children swim a lot and get staining from the chlorine, they've been put down for twice-yearly visits for cleaning. The only worrying thing is that my eldest has now been referred to an orthodontist to have her "bite" checked, and I have to pay for that. Free dental treatment is available for all children here up to year 11, regardless of income or private/public school.

ohippy

At least that's good news - do all schools provide free dentists, primary and secondary ?

ABCDiamond

My daughter is now in year 3, that means 4th year of school, and she has never seen a school dentist.
The first 2 years were in NSW, and the rest here in QLD.

Maybe WA has a different system ? or have we just missed out ?