TMJ

@Keefo Yes you're on the right track. Where I work we are 'preferred providers' for a range of health funds. This means the health fund dictates the cost of dental treatment for example a crown. So a crown may cost $1300 with one health fund, $1500 with another, $2100 another etc. (that is the fee that goes to the practice owner). Your level of rebate will differ as well depending on your level of cover and the provider rates we charge so you may end up paying anything from $300-$2100 (known as your gap). Any patient who does not have private health cover or is with a health fund that is not one of our preferred provider schemes pay the highest fee. It's a frustrating system because why should identical treatment be charged differently? This system is unfair and confusing. So there are a number of dental practices that charge the same price for the same treatment i.e. the crown, and may charge $1500 regardless of your health cover. So now your 'gap' depends on the level of cover your health insurance is will to rebate i.e can claim a max of $800 off a crown. These practices are not preferred providers so they can dictate their own fee and are not tied down to the health fund's business model. They are generally run by clinically good dentists IMO but sometimes perceived as being too expensive by a lot of patients I see although this may not be the case (depending on your health provider). TMJ

Portlaunay....I did some volunteer work in Phnom Penh a few years ago at a non-government dental clinic. Treating local children though Worked with a local Cambodian dentist and the work he did was good. Nice to go the FCC for a cocktail after your dental treatment

Keefo....I believe they are quoting the number of years you have had the policy i.e. 3 years allows $800 rebate off your $7500. Which is why I would not recommend dental cover purely for ortho cover alone. If you get the cover as part of dental cover for your family then fair enough. I would also recommend private health cover for any dental treatment. The cost of dental treatment without health insurance where I work is a lot higher than the same type of work with health insurance.

Hi there, I am a dentist working in Perth (UK trained, been here a couple of years). I can help answer some of your questions as I know the world of private dentistry can be daunting and confusing to most compared to what you were used to in the UK (NHS). @The Jamesy&\#39;s I would ring round some more orthodontists or even go to their practice to ask if they will continue with your daughter's ortho treatment. There are orthodontists who will complete her treatment. It may be helpful if your current orthodontist writes down a letter detailing the treatment provided so far and take this to the Australian orthodontist. @ozpete I personally think the school dentists provide a great service (and free). The problem you may have is getting to see one quickly. I would definitely try them first. If she cannot be seen soon enough then I would recommend getting private health insurance with dental cover i.e. HBF essentials. I believe children get free treatment with any dentist who are HBF preferred providers. All dentists in general practice should be able to treat your daughter for her filling. The problem is her compliance with the needle and keeping her mouth open. If she is fine with these 2 things then filling her tooth should be simple. I would call a practice and ask the receptionist if they would recommend a dentist in their practice who is good with kids. To everyone else... Not all school dentists are dentists, a lot of them are dental therapists. They do everything a dentist does except extract or root canal adult teeth. They treat children all day and generally get better compliance from them compared to dentists in private practice IMO. Orthodontics is expensive (around $7k). I am not sure if orthodontic cover on private health is worth it, you pay a lot for your premiums but with little cover unless you had top cover for over 10 years and still only get covered for roughly $3000. If there is little difference between premiums for a basic dental and top dental covering orthodontics or you think you need top cover for crowns and root canal then get top dental, but if you are paying more than £400 per year difference and your family have good teeth then you would be better off putting that extra money into a savings account and using it when the time comes. Also, most dental practices have a few dentists working under one roof. Unfortunately not all dentists were created equal and some have questionable skill and ethics. There may be a bad apple working along side the the good ones. To find one you are happy with and trust, I would get recommendations from friends, internet reviews (although be careful with these) and ask the receptionist for their recommendation. If you think the quoted price of treatment is too much or you think you are being over-treated then see another dentist and get a second opinion (take a copy of your x-rays). This may cost you around $50 but may save you several hundreds! I have done this a few times for people and it is reassuring you are being treated ethically.