Emergency dentists play an important role in providing critical services to Australians during evenings, over weekends and when accidents occur. There are many situations that can necessitate emergency dental treatment. For example, an accident can result in broken teeth, or an underlying condition such as a gum or tooth infection can erupt into a high amount of pain.
In such cases, emergency dental treatment is often necessary. Many people wonder how payment for an emergency dental treatment can occur. Indeed, a dental procedure can be quite expensive, especially one that needs to be carried out on short notice.
The Insurance Route
Just like regular healthcare, having insurance for dental treatment can reduce costs significantly, especially in cases where you may need emergency dental treatment. While most Australians would want to have full dental insurance, it is often quite costly.
To make the cost slightly more affordable, some dentists offer a self-run or partnered dental insurance scheme. These insurance schemes pool funds from multiple patients and make dental care affordable for each patient that is part of the scheme.
There are different treatment plans available, and eligibility depends on the current state of your teeth. A dentist may examine your current oral health for risk factors such as tooth decay, cavities and infections.
Most general heath insurance policies offer coverage for basic dental treatment. This includes procedures such as tooth extractions, filling cavities and treating pain/infections. If you require additional coverage for dental treatment, you can pay an additional premium as part of your health insurance policy.
The Medicare route
Most general dental services are not funded directly under Medicare. However, if you receive services from Medicare-registered dentists and other oral surgeons, you can get up to 75 per cent of the cost of the services paid for by Medicare.
The charges tend to vary widely in different states and locations. There are some programs that offer Medicare holders with free general and emergency dental care treatment. For example, the Commonwealth Dental Health Program is aimed at increasing the availability of dental services to mostly retirees and those who are unemployed. Some states also offer free dental care to children in various schools.
Emergency dental treatment can be expensive, especially because it tends to arise on short notice. As outlined in this article, there are several options you have available to increase access and affordability to emergency dental care. Medicare, children specific policies and dental insurance policies are great options to explore for treatment.
Share