Am I paying too much for kids Dental?

[Steve_H]

I've just returned from taking my two sons aged 13 and 15 to the dentist for their 6 monthly check up.

Neither needed any treatment, the invoice was as follows

2 examinations $51 each $102

2 x-Rays each @46 $172

Removal of calculus (youngest) $115

The youngest also had a loose tooth which even though I'm pretty sure would have came out on its own just like all the others that came out on their own, it was removed at $158.

As a gesture, they didn't charge the gap payment for the removal.

Medibank coughed up $263.50

Leaving me with $208 to pay

 

Somehow I feel like I've had my pants down! Is this the norm?

 

Cheers

[jo_marnes]

School dentist is free!

[cliffy]

http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/health+services/dental+services/school+dental+service/school+dental+service

Dental treatment for some school children is free, but normally there is a $43 annual charge, whatever treatment is needed. In my experience, the waiting lists are not long, especially if there is a problem, but the dentist may not do all that you have had done by your private dentist. They only carry out work they deem necessary and I don't believe that orthodontics is covered.

[flossybeth]

Another one to recommend the School Dental Service - we don't pay anything; as far as I know you're allocated so much per child per 2 years on your Medicare card and if it runs out (if they need a lot of treatment) you'd start paying but we haven't had to yet and one of our 3 had some real issues for a 18 months or so (we were there every 12 weeks for fluoride applications - and they'd do a check-up each time!). As Cliffy says orthodontics isn't covered, although our eldest had a referral to an orthodontic specialist (still with SDS) and between us we decided that if I was a private patient he would recommend braces at a cost of $000's but since it would be purely cosmetic and not life-enhancing we should save the money.

 

You can check your Medicare account online to see how much you've used and who's costing you the most.

[samandcraig]

Hi, I have just had my 2 children at the dentist today. I take them to port noarlunga, pay $43 per child and that's it for the year I think. They are lovely dentists, so great with children. Give them a call I'm sure they will advise you. Hope you get sorted and save some money....ps we are temp on a 489

[Ashleigh]

We have Bupa, we go to a members first dentist and I don't pay anything, they just swipe my Bupa card and it's all covered with that.

[snifter]

School dental info (I copied it from another thread I had posted it in and changed most of the links to current ones).

 

You can find the nearest dentist or one that suits from the list in one of the links. We use the one down at Marion and they have been lovely.

 

Dental care for children

 

The School Dental Service offers expert oral health care to eligible children at clinics throughout South Australia. This care is provided by teams of dentists, dental therapists, and dental assistants.

All preschool, primary school and secondary school students, aged under 18 years, are eligible for oral health care with the School Dental Service.

How do I make an appointment for my child?

 

If you would like to make a dental appointment for your child, you can contact a School Dental Clinic in your area.

Find a clinic in your area -

 

http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/health+services/dental+services/dental+clinics/dental+clinics+by+service

Interpreters are available through SA Dental Service. Our staff can arrange for an interpreter to contact you or be present at your child’s appointment.

What treatment will be provided at my child’s appointment?

 

Your child’s general dental care may include:

 

• a dental check-up
  
• information on oral health and healthy food
  
• x-rays
  
• cleaning teeth
  
• applying fluoride and fissure sealants to prevent tooth decay
  
• filling or extracting teeth when necessary
  
• referral to a dentist or dental specialist for further advice.
  

Prevention is vital for your child's oral health. Parents and carers are encouraged to attend dental appointments. Sharing knowledge and information will assist clinic staff to provide the most effective dental care for your child.

 

How much will dental care cost for my child?

 

ALL DENTAL CARE IS FREE FOR PRESCHOOL CLIENTS.

Primary and secondary school children who are dependents of/holders of the following concessions are eligible to receive free dental care:

 

• Centrelink Concession Card(opens in a new window)
  
• Department of Veterans Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
  
• School Card
  

For primary and secondary school children who are not dependents of, or holders of the above concessions, a fee of $42 will apply for each course of general dental care provided.

How do I pay for my child’s dental care?

 

Families who are not eligible for free care will be invoiced $42. This fee may be paid at Australia Post or by BPay from a cheque, savings or credit card.

School Dental Clinics do not accept cash payments.

What if I have private health insurance?

 

If you have private dental cover your child/children can access care directly from a private dental provider. Patients with private dental cover but choosing public care should ask their fund if the cost of treatment at a government dental clinic is covered.

 

Does Medicare cover dental treatment through the school dental service?

 

From January 2014 Medicare will introduce The Child Dental Benefit Scheme . Eligible children will receive up to $1,000 of dental care over a two year period. For more information ask your local school dental clinic or visit the Department of Health and Ageing website(opens in a new window).

 

 

 

Here is the link to the webpage

 

http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/Public+Content/SA+Health+Internet/Health+services/Dental+services/

 

 

Also there is the Child Dental Benefits Scheme (as mentioned in the above) if eligible.

What is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?

 

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is a Commonwealth funded dental benefit Schedule.

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule will commence on January 1, 2014.

The schedule will provide access to basic dental services for eligible children aged between 2-17 years.

Who is eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?

A child's eligibility is assessed at the beginning of each year and lasts the whole calendar year.

A child is eligible if they are:

 

• aged between 2-17 years for at least 1 day of the calendar year
  
• eligible for Medicare
  
• part of a family receiving Family Tax Benefit A
  
• or receiving one of the following Australian Government Payments:
  
  • Youth Allowance
    
  • Abstudy Allowance
    
  • Disability Support Pension
    
  • Parenting Payment
    
  • Special Benefit
    
  • Carer Payment
    
  • Double Orphan Pension
    
  • Veteran's Children Education Scheme, if the child is over 16.
    
  • Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme, if the child is over 16.
    

Can my child still receive dental care through the School Dental Service and be eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?

Yes. You can still make a dental appointment with the School Dental Service for your child or children, all children and young people under the age of 18 years are welcome.

Link to site with rest of info - http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/Public+Content/SA+Health+Internet/Health+services/Dental+services/

Edited February 18, 2016 by snifter
fixed links

[Jessica Berry]

Have you had a read through of the 'Sticky Thread' on Health Care? There may be some additional information on it that might help...

 

http://www.pomsinadelaide.com/forum/health-care/45551-guide-dental-costs.html

[Steve_H]

Thanks for the replies.

Turns out they used to go to the school dentist until the eldest got referred elsewhere as he needed a brace. This private dentist then referred us on to an orthodontist but did the follow ups from then on. After a year or so and $000s later, the brace came off but my wife continued taking them back to the private practice. I had no idea how much it was costing until I went for the first time the other night and got a bit of a shock!

We have to book the school dentist during working hours so I'll have to work out if it's worthwhile one of us having time off to take them back there.

Thanks again

[John Browning]

On 18/02/2016 at 6:12 PM, Ashleigh said:

We have Bupa, we go to a members first dentist and I don't pay anything, they just swipe my Bupa card and it's all covered with that.

yes Ashleigh....but even if you don't pay at the consultation....  how much does it cost you.

[John Browning]

On 18/02/2016 at 8:59 PM, Steve_H said:

We have to book the school dentist during working hours so I'll have to work out if it's worthwhile one of us having time off to take them back there.

Thanks again

Steve if you can't get the School Dental Service option to work for you, there is a another way of getting a decent discount:

 Instead of paying upfront for Dental Extras on your Private Cover...have you considered registering with Smile.com, and using one of their dentists?

[Steve_H]

All sorted, we have since been taking them to a Medibank preferred dentist and now we pay next to nothing. The previous dentist was obviously bending us over.
That being said, it now transpires the younger one needs a brace and even with the new dentist it's going to be $5000
Hey Ho





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[samandcraig]

My Son has had his brace on for over 12 months now, we paid over $6000, went with a company called onia, who operate throughout Adelaide

[kelbert]

Yeah we use school dental for the kids too. $44 a year and they are really lovely and great with the kids. Eldest about to have braces, around $6000 and that's with Smart Orthodontics. She also needs some specialist oral surgery for a tooth embedded in the gum. Will find out that cost next week but that can't be done by the school dentist so expecting $$$$