DENTISTS
 

Ok, I know its not much different in the UK now what with finding a NHS dentist being on the same par as finding rocking horse poop!!!

But just need a bit of feed back on them here,
costs, kids and what you can can't claim for etc,

My son is 15 have made an appointment as he has 3 sets of adult back teeth :thumbsup: but unfortunately one of them is deciding to push its way through the side of his gum because the adult tooth won't come out.

Will i have to pay for him? will i be able to claim it back on medicare? (cool if you have the money to pay for it in the first place!!:thumbdown:)

I guess it is different cost etc for different states we live in Cairns if anyone can shed any light on this would be grateful so i don't have a heart attack tomorrow when they tell me the cost (because then i will have to pay medical bills as well):rofl:

Ta x

Re: DENTISTS
 

You should probably keep the defibrillator on standby just in case. :blink:

Lots of threads on scary dentist bills.

Re: DENTISTS
 

As far as I know dental work is not funded by medicare unless you hold a concession card (although I don't know if it's different for kids). I found this:

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

But it seems to only cover preventative dental - not surgical.

There is also;

http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/...what-cover.jsp

where it states that Medicare covers 'some surgical procedures performed by approved dentists'.

On the same page it states under "What is not covered by Medicare"
- dental examinations and treatment (except specified items introduced for allied health services as part of the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) program .

If you have Private Health Insurance some will be covered - ring your insurer to check how much.

Best of luck.

Re: DENTISTS
 

Prepare yourself for the worst pink13. :( Make sure you find out the estimated costs, before any procedures are undertaken.... If they are too high for your liking, perhaps postpone the appointment for a couple of weeks whilst you investigate all your options (assuming that the treatment isn't urgently required).

Do you have any form of medical insurance for your son, such as medibank private? It doesn't necessarily have to have full dental benefits. If you do, then your best bet would be to attempt to find a dentist who will do the work and bulk bill it, and not charge you the gap. This would be a case of phoning around dentists, and asking questions.

Re: DENTISTS
 

Guidline on costs perhaps.... eldest had his wisdom teeth pulled, overnight stay in hospital, cost was $3600

Re: DENTISTS
 

You'll struggle to find a dentist most are probably still on their private islands enjoying an extended Easter break [Yes! last Easter]. They'll be back soon to do a couple of months work before heading back to the island in their Lamborghini's or Maxi Yachts. You may well find the odd one cruising around in a Mazzarati or a Bentley that will swap you your life savings in exchange for an extraction or two.

That reminds me of a little known fact:
The Toothbrush was actually invented in Queensland. Had it been anywhere else in the world it would have been named the Teethbrush :rolleyes:

Re: DENTISTS
 

:rofl: boom boom!

Re: DENTISTS
 

I had three wisdom teeth out in 2005 and was charged:

$1,200 for the surgeon's fee
$900 for hospital fees (not an overnight stay)
$350 for the anaesthetists fee

I was able to claim $175 back from Medicare.

Oh, and on top of that I had to pay for consultations at $90 each and prescription antibiotics at $40 a pop.

So your guideline sounds about right to me.

Re: DENTISTS
 

Mr PP had three teeth pulled before xmas - one of which (it may have been two) were wisdom teeth, xrays showed that this could be done in the chair, so for these 3 teeth to be pulled - one took a bit of work (wisdom) it was $400, we got $200 paid by Medibank and Mr PP had to pay the other $200.

Prior to that, a full set of xrays and scale and polish didnt cost us anything and his follow up appointment is in 2 weeks and that will be free also.

I should imagine it would be alot more if he had to go in hospital though.

I had full set of xrays and a scale and polish and a follow up visit and didnt pay a cent.:)

Re: DENTISTS
 

Sign up for Noble Dentist at www.nobledentist.com.au and you can save up to 50% on dental work at participating dentists. I am undergoing treatment at the moment which could have cost me in excess of $6000 and the total bill was $3200.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Re: DENTISTS
 

My wife had some dental work done last month, very cheap it was too, even after allowing for the $800 airfare..... Overseas Dental Holidays are very popular ;)

Re: DENTISTS
 

One word of caution with that, I compared my dentist to the Noble Dentists fees, and my dentist isn't much more expensive than them.

Noble Dentist fees are however about 50% of the maximum fees that can apparently be charged, and are charged, by some dentists. (My dentist only drives a Toyota... ;) )

This does highlight the fact that Dentists do not all charge the same fees, and some may be open to haggling.

Re: DENTISTS
 

It's saying something when a three grand bill is given a double thumbs up !!

Re: DENTISTS
 

You beat me to it!:lol:

Re: DENTISTS
 

Fly back to blighty, sounds the cheapest option:frown:
Those prices are ridiculous, how do they justify those costs?