Frequently asked questions:
In line with the advice of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) it is generally difficult to provide an accurate price of a dental service due to the personal nature of services and the number of variables involved in the treatment of each person.
The following is a guide only.
The following is a guide only.
I dread the thought of having to visit the dentist even though I know I need to come. What can I do to reduce my fear and anxiety?
We appreciate your honesty. We understand you might have had a negative dental experience either as a child or adult elsewhere, which has developed into a lack of trust and consequently fear of visiting the dentist. Dr John and dental assistant Teresa use strategies and techniques to help you to manage your expectations and to reduce any 'overhelm' you might experience when you visit. If you have concerns about dental anxiety we encourage you to speak to your GP in the first instance about your options for managing this. For example you could discuss whether anxiety reduction therapy and/or pharmacological agents is suitable to you. Alternatively, when you're ready to commit to making an appointment do let us know about any dental anxiety so we can determine when the best time of day is to secure you an appointment as well as its duration, whether a stress coping mechanism might assist or whether pharmacology is best suited to you. How much does a dental check up cost at your clinic? Sticking with the basics: A 15 minutes-long consultation from $65, a 30 minutes-long comprehensive check up from $65.00 and a clean/polish from $140.00 What's a filling cost these days at your clinic? The cost of fillings depends on a variety of factors. For example, Dr John would need to assess the tooth and the size and location of the required filling along with its composition before the price can be determined. How much to pull out my tooth, Dr John? In the case of a potential extraction it depends on whether the tooth is able to be extracted in the chair, or a referral to an oral surgeon is necessary. This can only be determined with a thorough check and X-rays. All fees are paid on the day of treatment. If you have private health insurance, then your gap, i.e. out-of-pocket fee, will vary depending on your health fund rebate. I've just moved to the area. Are you accepting new patients? For the time being we are NOT able to onboard new patients as Dr John is in high demand and our hours are limited. Regrettably we do turn away new patients, which we don't like to do, but we simply cannot accommodate. If we could clone Dr John we would - he's a rare, if not almost extinct, breed of dentist. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We'll let you know on our website when Dr John begins accepting new patients again. We receive the Family Tax Benefit Part A. Can our children be treated at your clinic* under the CDBS (Child Dental Benefits Schedule)? If they meet eligibility criteria for the CDBS, which includes being Medicare eligible, and we can confirm this, then yes, you can book an appointment. You will need to complete a CDBS Bulk Billing consent form. *see above for new patient restrictions. I'm trying to encourage my child to look after their teeth. What do you recommend I do? Avoid creating the perception that the dentist is someone to be feared, especially when your child regularly neglects brushing their teeth, or eats food best avoided, or for whatever reason you've been unable to consistently supervise teeth brushing time. Avoid using terminology such as: "The dentist will pull out all your teeth if you eat any more chips/lollies/ice-cream/cake etc". Visiting the dentist does not have to involve pain, so if your child asks whether it hurts to go to the dentist, suggest: "The dentist will make sure you're comfortable", or "the dentist will provide a special medicine or a pain reducing medicine to make sure you're comfortable". If you have any concerns about your child visiting the dentist, visit the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch website: https://adavb.org/resources/for-the-public/fact-sheets Your local library will also have picture books about the topic of visiting the dentist that are suitable for pre-school and early primary school aged children. |
I'm on a tight budget, can we work out a payment plan?
Yes. We have partnered with DentiCare payment solutions to provide a convenient payment plan for your ongoing dental care*. You can pick up a pamphlet from our clinic, or call DentiCare to find out more 1300 633 472. *from $250 minimum to $12,000 maximum. I'm in terrible pain. Can I be seen immediately?
Until further notice daily emergency sessions are for existing YFDC patients only, i.e. not for new patients never seen before at our clinic. Thank you for your understanding. The emergency session is for patients who are experiencing dental-related pain, swelling and/or fever. If the daily emergency session has been taken by another patient then we will endeavour to manage your pain in the first instance and fit you in as soon as possible and around other patients. In all probability you will be squeezed in and you will need to wait. Alternatively, there might be other options we will discuss with you. And sorry, no walk-ins. Why can't you just pull my tooth out if it hurts? Everyone's pain threshhold is different. Just because a patient thinks they want a tooth extracted does not always mean it is the only option, nor is it always necessary, or possible in the general dental clinic setting. Tooth extraction depends on many factors. The dentist needs to make an informed assessment. This will possibly require an Xray(s) to determine whether the tooth area will be responsive to anaesthesia, whether the tooth is broken, cracked or fragile, what the roots are like (long or curved) and whether the tooth is impacted for example. Sometimes if a potential extraction is assessed to be difficult or complicated the patient will be referred to a specialist. Why do I need to be referred to a specialist?
Referral to an oral surgeon, an endodontist or other dental specialist is recommended especially for complex cases. Patients are responsible for the general dentist's fees as well as the specialist's fees. |
I'm a very busy person, have you got early and/or late appointment slots?Clinic hours 2022
Monday 2pm-5.30pm; Tuesday 9:30am-4pm; Wednesday 9:30am-4:30pm, Thursday CLOSED; Friday 9:30am-5pm, Saturday CLOSED. Reception opens at 9am Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Please check that our hours suit your availability before booking an appointment. Currently we are NOT onboarding new patients. I have small children. When should I bring them in for their first check up?You can book an appointment if you have particular concerns about your child's teeth, regardless of their age. As a general rule, Dr John recommends bringing your child in for their first check up at about the age of 3 - when they start kindergarten.
The initial visit often is more about counting teeth and introducing them to the chair and lights in a non-threatening way. In the meantime, we encourage you to develop your child's good oral health habits early, starting at home. with supervised tooth brushing. Visit your local library to borrow books about visiting the dentist. Also check out the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch website: https://adavb.org/resources/for-the-public/fact-sheets |