Answers to Common Questions To Help Guide Your Dental Visits

Yes, we are currently accepting new patients and have introduced a limited-time package to make your first visit both thorough and cost-effective. We understand that starting with a new dentist can feel unfamiliar, so this offer has been designed to provide essential procedures and treatments to help patients improve their oral health.

Here’s what our Comprehensive Check-Up & Clean Package for new patients includes:

• Comprehensive dental examination: We assess your teeth, gums, and oral tissues to identify any existing or developing dental issues.
• Professional clean: We remove plaque and tartar to prevent decay and improve gum health, lowering the risk of future dental problems.
• X-rays (if required): Digital X-rays help us examine areas not immediately visible during a dental check-up, such as between teeth or beneath the gums.
• Fluoride treatment: A fluoride application is provided to help strengthen enamel and lower the risk of decay.

This package is valued at $350 and is available for a limited time at no gap or capped at $150. It provides a practical and comprehensive foundation for your dental care.

Yes, we recommend arriving around 10 minutes early for your appointment, especially if it’s your first visit. This helps make the check-in process smooth and stress-free.

Here’s why arriving early is helpful:

• New patient paperwork: You may need to complete a medical history form or update your details before your appointment begins.
• Health fund or payment details: Arriving early gives you time to provide any health fund cards or ask questions about billing.
• Pre-appointment preparation: If you’re scheduled for X-rays or a specific procedure, arriving early allows us to prepare in a timely and organised manner.
• Keeping appointments on time: A punctual start helps our team stay on schedule and gives you your full treatment time.

Reducing stress: Arriving with time to spare allows you to settle in, ask questions, and feel more relaxed before your appointment starts.

To help your appointment run smoothly, we recommend bringing a few important items:

• Photo identification: This allows us to confirm your identity and match your records accurately.
• Medicare card: If applicable, your Medicare card helps us document any eligible services and keep your health records up to date.
• Health fund card (if applicable): Your health fund card allows us to process claims on the spot and inform you of any gap payments.
• Relevant medical history: Providing information about your medical conditions, medications, and previous treatments helps us tailor your care safely and effectively.

Having these items ready supports a smooth check-in process and helps us begin your visit without unnecessary delays.

We offer a comprehensive range of dental services, including preventative, restorative, cosmetic, orthodontic, and emergency care. Each is designed to improve oral health, function, and comfort based on your individual needs.

Preventative Dentistry

Preventative care helps maintain oral health and detect issues early before they progress.

• Check-up and clean: This appointment includes a thorough dental examination, plaque and tartar removal, and guidance on maintaining good oral hygiene at home.
• Tooth-coloured fillings: We use composite dental fillings to restore teeth affected by decay or damage. The material matches your tooth colour, creating a natural-looking result.
• Gum disease treatment: Signs of gum disease, such as inflammation or bleeding, are managed with professional cleaning and personalised care to help improve gum health.
• Root canal treatment: This procedure involves removing infected or inflamed tissue from inside a tooth to relieve discomfort and preserve the natural tooth where possible.
• Wisdom teeth removal: Wisdom teeth may be removed if they are impacted, infected, or causing pain or alignment issues.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic treatments focus on enhancing the appearance of your teeth and smile.

• Teeth whitening: This treatment helps reduce stains and discolouration, resulting in a brighter and more uniform tooth colour.
• Porcelain veneers: Veneers are thin, custom-made shells that are bonded to the front surfaces of teeth to improve their shape, size, or colour.
• Smile makeover: A smile makeover involves a combination of dental procedures chosen to improve the overall appearance of your smile based on your goals.

Restorative Dentistry

Restorative care involves restoring damaged teeth or replacing those that are missing.

• Crowns and bridges: Crowns restore the strength and shape of damaged teeth, while bridges replace one or more missing teeth using neighbouring teeth for support.
• Dental implants: An implant is a titanium post placed in the jawbone, used to anchor a crown or prosthetic tooth and restore both function and appearance.
• All-on-4 dental implants: This technique uses four implants to support a full arch of replacement teeth and is often used when multiple teeth are missing.
• Full mouth rehabilitation: This approach involves a treatment plan that combines several treatments to restore oral function and aesthetics for complex cases.
• Dentures: Dentures are removable prosthetic devices that replace multiple or all missing teeth in the upper or lower jaw.

Orthodontics

Orthodontic treatments help improve the alignment of teeth and jaws.

• Traditional braces: Metal brackets and wires are used to gradually move teeth into a more aligned position over time.
• Invisalign: Invisalign utilises a series of custom-made, clear aligners worn over the teeth to gradually improve alignment without the use of brackets or wires.

Emergency Dental Care

We offer prompt care for dental cases that require immediate attention.

• Emergency appointments: If you experience pain, swelling, a broken tooth, or dental trauma, we will aim to assess the situation and provide treatment as soon as possible.

Choosing the right dental treatment starts with a professional assessment and conversation about your needs. We consider several important factors to help guide the decision:

• Your current oral health: The condition of your teeth, gums, and jaw will influence which treatment options are appropriate for your situation.
• Type of concern: Whether you're experiencing pain, changes in function, or are interested in cosmetic changes will affect the type of treatment recommended.
• Personal goals: We consider what matters to you, such as comfort, appearance, or long-term functionality.
• Timing and complexity: Some treatments can be completed in a single visit, while others may require multiple steps. Your availability and preferences help shape the plan.
• Benefits and limitations: We’ll discuss what each treatment can offer and outline any risks or considerations.
• Fees and financial considerations: We provide clear information about costs and explain available options so you can feel prepared when considering your next step.
• Medical history and lifestyle: General health, medications, and habits like smoking can influence how your body responds to dental treatments and are therefore carefully considered during treatment planning.

Yes, we understand that some patients may feel nervous or uneasy during dental visits. To achieve comfort, we offer several sedation and anaesthesia options that can be adjusted based on your individual needs and medical history. These include:

• Local anaesthetic: This numbs a specific area of the mouth so that you don’t feel discomfort during the procedure. You remain fully awake and aware.
• Happy gas (nitrous oxide): This is a mild sedative inhaled through a small mask. It may help reduce anxiety and create a calmer experience.
• Oral sedation: This involves taking a prescribed medication before your visit to help reduce anxiety. You stay conscious but may feel drowsy and calm.
• IV sedation: A sedative is delivered through a small needle into the arm or hand. It provides a deeper level of relaxation, and you may have little memory of the procedure.

Yes, we use HICAPS for on-the-spot claiming. You can swipe your health fund card at reception, and the fund will contribute directly towards the cost of your treatment. This allows for a quicker and simpler payment process—any remaining balance can be paid on the same day.

Here’s how it works:

• Bring your health fund card: You’ll need either a physical or digital version of your card to process the claim.
• Let reception know you’d like to claim: When finalising your appointment, simply let our team know you want to use your health fund.
• We process the claim through HICAPS: Your fund covers the eligible amount instantly, reducing what you pay out of pocket.
• Pay the remaining balance (if any): Any gap not covered by your fund can be settled at the same time via card or other payment methods.

If you're not certain what your policy includes, we can provide treatment item codes to check with your fund in advance.

We offer several flexible payment options through third-party providers to help you manage the cost of your dental care. Each has specific features, and we can guide you towards the appropriate provider if you'd like to explore one further.

• Afterpay: This option allows you to divide your total treatment fee into four equal payments. These are made fortnightly and are interest-free if paid on time.
• Zip: Zip provides a digital account that you can use to pay for dental treatment. You can choose from weekly, fortnightly, or monthly repayments, depending on your plan.
• MediPay: MediPay offers personal loans specifically for medical and dental expenses. Repayments are structured and made regularly over an agreed loan term.
• TLC (Total Lifestyle Credit): TLC gives you the ability to spread the cost of treatment over a longer period. They offer tailored payment options based on your application.
• SuperCare: SuperCare assists eligible patients in applying for early access to their superannuation. This may be used to help cover the cost of necessary dental procedures.

Yes, in some cases, you may be able to access your superannuation early to help pay for dental treatment, subject to approval by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). This option applies to certain essential treatments where out-of-pocket costs create financial difficulty.

We partner with SuperCare, a third-party service that supports patients through the application process. Here's how it works:

• Initial discussion: Let our team know you’d like to explore using your superannuation to fund treatment.
• SuperCare consultation: We’ll connect you with SuperCare, who will explain their service and assess your eligibility for assistance.
• Application preparation: SuperCare assists in preparing and submitting your application to the ATO, including any required medical documentation.
• ATO review: The ATO reviews the application and makes the final decision based on ERS criteria.
• Funds released if approved: If the ATO approves the application, the funds are released from your superannuation and directed towards your dental care.

SuperCare is an independent provider, and all applications are subject to ATO rules and eligibility requirements. Our role is to support the process by providing the relevant dental documentation when needed.

Regular check-ups allow the detection of early signs of dental diseases, safeguarding oral health. While many people are advised to visit the dentist every six months, others may need more frequent visits depending on their specific needs. Your dentist will recommend a suitable schedule based on various factors, such as the following:

• Gum health: If you have a history of gum disease, more frequent monitoring may be suggested to prevent disease recurrence.
• Tooth decay risk: Patients with multiple fillings, a high-sugar diet, or a history of decay may benefit from shorter intervals between dental visits.
• Oral hygiene habits: Inconsistent brushing or flossing may increase the risk of plaque buildup, necessitating more frequent professional cleaning and tailored oral hygiene guidance.
• Medical conditions: Certain conditions, such as diabetes or autoimmune disorders, can impact oral health and influence the frequency of check-ups needed.
• Age and dental development: Children, teens with braces, and older adults may have unique oral health needs that affect recall timing.

We understand that visiting the dentist can be stressful for some individuals. Our team takes a thoughtful, patient-centred approach to help create a calm and supportive environment at every visit.

Here are some of the ways we support your comfort:

• Warm and welcoming staff: From the moment you arrive, our team aims to create a relaxed atmosphere and listen to your concerns without judgement.
• Clear communication: We take time to explain each step of your care, answer your questions, and check in with you regularly throughout your dental appointment.
• Modern and calming clinic environment: Our clinic is designed with patient comfort in mind, offering a clean and soothing space with minimal wait times.
• Options for anxious patients: We offer several methods to support patients with dental anxiety, including happy gas, oral sedation, and IV sedation for eligible procedures.
• Gentle, personalised care: Your dentist will always check how you’re feeling during treatment and work at a pace that suits your comfort level.

Everyone experiences dental visits differently, and we’re here to support you with compassion, patience, and care.