Blog article
How to afford the cost of dental treatment in Australia

Start by asking these questions:
- How much does the dentist cost in Australia?
- How much do different dental treatments cost?
- What does the government cover?
- Are you eligible for any public benefits?
- What does private health insurance cover?
- How to plan ahead
- How to prevent dental costs
1. How much does the dentist cost in Australia?
The dentist cost Australians an average of $216 per person in 2019-2020.1
To put that in perspective, Australians spent less on hospital services for the year ($109), and even less on optometrists, physios, chiropractors and other health practitioners combined ($63).1
But if you’re working to a budget, or trying to save on dental costs, you need to know some more specifics.
2. How much do different dental treatments cost?
If you just need one or two check-ups this year, that’s one thing.
But a tooth extraction could cost between $150 and $250. And a root canal could cost between $950 and $2,000.
Each treatment has its own cost, and that cost can range. Some of this is down to the fact that no two root canal procedures are the same, for example. But some of it is down to what each dentist charges.
These costs are hard to estimate, but you can always call a few dentists to do a price check.
Considering dental costs are one of the biggest healthcare costs for Australians,1 it could be worth calling around – whether you need major dental treatment or just routine check-ups.
You can also get health insurance for dental treatment.
Or you may qualify for government benefits.
3. What does the government cover?
Unlike going to the doctor, where the Australian Government contributes to the cost of consultations and treatment through Medicare, there is no universal government contribution for dentistry.
Most public dental benefits are for senior citizens and people already receiving other government benefits. And if you do qualify, waiting lists may apply.
“Most states have waiting lists of well over a year for public dental care – and if people need to wait a year for care, their conditions are only going to get worse.” - Filling the Gap, a Grattan Institute Study2
That said, it’s always worth checking to see if you’re eligible.
4. Are you eligible for any public benefits?
The public system does provide some dental care support – but waiting lists can be over a year long2 and are only for people who meet specific criteria.
Public Dental Services
What’s offered and who is eligible depends on the state – but it usually focuses on senior citizens and people already receiving other government benefits.
For Kids: Child Dental Benefits Schedule
If you’re receiving other Medicare payments, your children might be eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CBDS).
For eligible kids aged 2 to 17, CDBS covers up to $1000 over two calendar years for basic dental services.
This benefit can cover check-ups, X-rays, cleaning, fillings and extractions. It can NOT cover orthodontics, cosmetic dental work, or any dental services in a hospital.
For Kids: School dental services
Australian State governments offer some free dental treatment to students through school dental services.
Eligibility, treatment centres and covered treatments vary from state to state. School dental services may include general treatments like check-ups, X-rays and extractions. They are NOT likely to include orthodontics, cosmetic dental work, or oral surgery.
5. What does private health insurance cover?
Private health insurance can help cover a lot of what Medicare doesn’t.
At HBF, we cover these four dental categories:
- Preventative Dental – Covers treatment such as consultations, scale and cleans, and mouthguards.
- General Restorative Dental – Covers treatments such as simple fillings and extractions, including wisdom teeth removal.
- Major Dental and implants – Covers complex treatments like repairing or replacing teeth, such as with a dental crown.
- Orthodontics – Covers treatments that assist with the alignment of teeth and the jaw, using braces and retainers.
In FY21, HBF paid out $228 million in dental claims3. So it’s safe to say that getting covered can make the cost of dental treatment more affordable.