How much does the dentist cost?

Is it time for your regular check-up? Find out how much a trip to the dentist could cost you.

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Is it time for your regular check-up? Find out how much a trip to the dentist could cost you.

How much does dental treatment cost?

The most recent Australian Dental Association’s (ADA) annual Dental Fees Survey found the average cost of a routine dental check-up and clean is $219. However, this cost can range from $162 to $309. This check-up includes a periodic oral examination, scale and clean and fluoride treatment. Unlike doctors, dentists have no standard fees. This means that the cost of seeing a dentist can vary significantly from dentist to dentist.

Here’s the cost of some other common dental treatments, according to the ADA survey of general practitioners (not specialists).

Costs of average dental treatment in Australia

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Check-up and clean

Treatment	Average cost	Range
Comprehensive oral exam (item 011)	$67	$50–$92
Periodic oral exam (item 012)	$60	$45–$85
X-ray – per film (item 022)	$45	$33–$58
Calculus removal (scale and clean) (item 114)	$123	$93–$171
Topical remineralising (fluoride treatment) (item 121)	$36	$24–$53

Fillings

Treatment	Average cost	Range
Adhesive – 1 surface anterior (item 521)	$167	$121–$233
Adhesive – 2 surface anterior (item 522)	$202	$153–$285
Adhesive – 1 surface posterior (item 531)	$178	$135–$248
Adhesive – 2 surface anterior (item 532)	$220	$171–$305

Extractions

Treatment	Average cost	Range
Removal of tooth or parts thereof (item 311)	$205	$149–$300

Root canals

Treatment	Average cost	Range
Chemo-mechanical preparation – 1 canal (item 415)	$308	$218–$475
Chemo-mechanical preparation – additional canal (item 416)	$149	$100–$217

Crowns and dentures

Treatment	Average cost	Range
Full crown – veneered – indirect (item 615)	$1,678	$1,250–$2,100
Complete maxillary denture (item 711)	$1,522	$1,016–$2,375

Source: Australian Dental Association Dental Fees Survey 2022.

Does Medicare cover dental?

Medicare only covers dental in limited circumstances. Medicare covers some dental treatments for eligible children through the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). It also covers some essential dental services for eligible adults generally those who have a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card. Because of this most dental costs will need to be paid for by the patient.

What dental costs does private health insurance cover?

If you have a health insurance policy that includes dental cover, your insurer can help cover some of your costs. Extras policies can include cover for general and major dental. General dental typically covers part of the cost of routine dental treatments, such as check-ups, scale and cleans, fillings and x-rays. Major dental generally covers more complex (and usually more expensive) dental procedures like root canals, crowns, dentures and treating gum disease. Waiting periods can apply. You can compare health insurance policies that cover extras such as dental with Canstar’s comparison tables.

Dental rebates

You can typically claim a percentage back on the cost of your treatment, or on a set benefit amount, subject to annual limits. That means that you may have to pay a gap payment, which is the difference between what your dentist charges and your health insurance rebate.

For example, research in 2022 from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) found that the median gap payment for a preventative service that included the removal of plaque and/or stain was $19, adhesive restoration of one surface of an anterior tooth was $74 and a tooth removal was $95.

Some funds offer no-gap dental (or 100% back) on regular check-ups and other preventative services when you visit a dentist in the fund’s network. It’s worth checking the policy information and the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to see how much you can claim and what type of dental work is and isn’t covered.

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How else can I pay for dental costs?

Another option is paying for dental costs using your savings. You’ll typically need to go to the dentist for regular check-ups, so it’s important to budget for these. As well as this, it can be a good idea to have an emergency fund at hand to help cover any unexpected and potentially costly issues that may come up.

Some dentists also offer dental payment plans, where you can pay for dental work in instalments. You may also be able to apply for a NILS loan to help towards the cost of some dental services, if you meet certain eligibility criteria.