How do fees work at AMK Dental Clinic?
At AMK Dental Clinic, you receive an itemised written estimate before any treatment starts. The estimate lists each service, its ADA item number and its fee, so you know what to expect and can check your health fund cover.
Your final fee depends on your individual needs. If something changes during treatment, for example a filling turns out to be larger than expected, your dentist will explain why and discuss any change in cost with you.
What is an ADA item number?
An ADA item number is a three-digit code from the Australian Schedule of Dental Services and Glossary that describes a specific dental service. Dentists and health funds across Australia use the same codes. For example, 011 is a comprehensive oral examination, 022 is an intraoral X-ray such as a bitewing, and 114 is removal of calculus (the “scale” in a scale and clean).
When you ask your health fund what it will pay, give it the item numbers from your estimate.
What are our indicative fees?
The table below shows indicative fees for common services at AMK Dental Clinic.
| Service | ADA item | Indicative fee |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive oral examination (first visit) | 011 | Ask us for a quote |
| Scale and clean (removal of calculus) | 114 | Ask us for a quote |
| Bitewing X-ray (per image; two are common) | 022 | Ask us for a quote |
| Zoom in-chair whitening (excludes take-home trays) | – | Ask us for a quote |
All fees are in Australian dollars and include GST where applicable. Fees are a guide only. Your final fee depends on your individual treatment needs and will be confirmed in a written estimate before treatment.
GST: most dental services are GST-free because they are necessary health services. Cosmetic-only treatment, such as elective whitening, may attract GST. Your written estimate will show GST where it applies.
How does health fund claiming work?
We offer on-the-spot health fund claiming through HICAPS, so you pay only the gap, if there is one, on the day. HICAPS is an electronic claiming system that sends your claim to your health fund while you are at the practice. Bring your health fund card.
AMK Dental Clinic offers on-the-spot claiming through HICAPS for health funds that support it. How much your fund pays depends on your policy, level of extras cover, annual limits, waiting periods and frequency limits.
AMK Dental Clinic is a Medibank Members’ Choice provider. What Medibank members pay depends on their extras cover, annual limits and policy conditions, and other treatment may involve a gap. Please check your cover with Medibank or ask our team.
Does Medicare cover dental care?
Medicare does not cover most dental care for adults. Healthdirect notes that you will need to pay most dental costs yourself, unless you have extras cover or qualify for a government program. Adults with a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card may be eligible for NSW public dental services, which are provided through public clinics.
What is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is a Medicare program that helps eligible families with the cost of basic dental services for children. Eligible children aged 0–17 may be able to receive services such as check-ups, X-rays, cleaning, fissure sealants, fillings, root canals and extractions, with benefits paid by Medicare up to a capped amount over two calendar years.
To be eligible, a child must be aged 0–17 for at least one day of the calendar year, be eligible for Medicare, and the child or their parent or carer must receive an eligible government payment, such as Family Tax Benefit Part A, at least once in that year. The CDBS doesn’t cover orthodontic or cosmetic treatment or services in hospital. If your child may be eligible, please ask us about using the CDBS at AMK when you book.
Before CDBS treatment, we give you a written treatment plan and cost estimate for your signed consent. Check your child’s eligibility and balance through your Medicare online account or the Express Plus Medicare app, or ask our team. Read more in our CDBS guide or on the Services Australia website.
Do you accept DVA cards?
If you hold a Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Veteran Card, please let us know when you book so we can explain how your treatment can be billed. According to DVA, Gold Card holders can receive a range of dental services that meet a clinical need under DVA arrangements, while White Card holders can receive dental treatment only for their accepted conditions. Please bring your card and let us know when you book.
How can you pay?
We accept EFTPOS, Visa, Mastercard and American Express, and HICAPS for health fund claims. Payment is due at the end of each appointment. For treatment over several visits, we will explain when fees are charged when you receive your estimate.
Are payment plans available?
Payment plans may be available through a third-party finance provider; please ask our team about current options. A payment plan is a credit arrangement between you and the finance provider, not with AMK Dental Clinic.
Interest, fees and charges may apply, and approval depends on the provider’s assessment. Before you sign, ask the provider for the total amount you will repay, the length of the plan and all fees, and read the credit contract. We will give you the full treatment cost in writing so you can compare options.
Common questions
Will I know the cost before my treatment starts?
Yes. Before any treatment at AMK Dental Clinic, your dentist gives you a written, itemised estimate that lists each service, its ADA item number and its fee. You can use the item numbers to ask your health fund what it will pay. If your treatment plan changes, for example because a tooth needs more work than expected, we will explain why and update the estimate before going ahead.
Will I have a gap to pay for a check-up and clean?
It depends on your health fund, your level of extras cover, and your annual limits, waiting periods and frequency limits. Some people pay nothing out of pocket for a routine check-up and clean, and others pay a gap. AMK Dental Clinic can give you the item numbers for your visit so you can check with your fund before you come in.
Does Medicare cover dental treatment for adults?
Generally, no. Medicare does not cover most dental care for adults in Australia, so most people pay for dental treatment themselves or claim part of the cost from private health insurance extras cover. The main exceptions are the Child Dental Benefits Schedule for eligible children, DVA arrangements for eligible veterans, and state public dental services for adults with an eligible concession card.
Can I use the Child Dental Benefits Schedule at AMK Dental Clinic?
Eligible children aged 0 to 17 may be able to use the Child Dental Benefits Schedule at AMK Dental Clinic for basic services such as check-ups, X-rays, cleaning, fillings and extractions, up to a capped amount over two calendar years. Before treatment we give you a written plan and cost estimate for your consent. You can check eligibility and remaining balance in your Medicare online account.
Do dental fees include GST?
Most dental treatment is GST-free in Australia because it is a necessary health service. Some cosmetic-only treatments, such as elective teeth whitening, may attract GST. Where GST applies at AMK Dental Clinic, the fee we quote includes it, so the price in your written estimate is the price you pay. Ask us if you are unsure whether GST applies to your treatment.