Frequently Asked Questions about our Services:
How much does dental treatment cost?
As every case is different, and dental treatment is tailored to suit your specific needs, we are unable to advise exact costs without an examination.
However, you may like to visit our costs page where we have provided a starting price guide for some of our services. Please note these costs are a guide only.
If you are interested in a specific service or treatment, please contact us directly so we can provide you with more information.
Do you accept Medicare?
We bulk bill dental treatment for children eligible under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (up to their capped amount).
To read more about the Medicare CDBS please click here.
What payment methods do you accept?
HICAPS (on-the-spot health fund claims)
Cash
EFTPOS
Cheque
We accept all major credit cards including American Express
What health funds do you accept?
Our HICAPS system accepts all affiliated health fund providers.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes, we offer payment plans through Zip Pay and Zip Money.
We are also a partner dental clinic of My Super Care (‘SuperCare Australia’).
For more information please visit our Finance Plans page here.
What products can I buy from you?
We provide a range of carefully selected dental products to help keep your teeth and mouth healthy.
- Cleaning aids: Toothbrushes (electric/manual), floss, and interproximal brushes.
- Tooth Mousse (calcium / phosphate supplement).
- Chlorhexidine toothpaste and mouthwash (Antiseptic).
- Philips Zoom! Teeth whitening professional strength bleaching gel (and custom mouth trays).
- Dry mouth medications (GC Dry mouth gel).
- NeutraFluor products (high fluoride): Toothpaste and mouthwashes for daily or weekly usage.
Do you treat dental emergencies?
Yes. We offer same-day urgent care appointments, 7 days per week, with no weekend surcharges. New patients are always welcome.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency let us know straight away.
We treat all types of cases including toothaches, sports injuries and broken teeth.
It is always our first priority to get you out of pain.
I don’t like injections/needles. If I need one, will it hurt?
Before delivering any injection we first apply a powerful topical anaesthetic to the area which will make the area numb and eliminate discomfort.
We can also provide inhalation sedation (‘happy gas’) before and during the injection if you prefer.
Please let us know if you are concerned about injections so our understanding team know to discuss this with you beforehand, and can ensure you are as comfortable and relaxed as possible.
Do you cater to anxious / nervous patients, or patients who have had a bad dental experience in the past?
Yes, we are very experienced in this area, and we have successfully treated many patients with these concerns over the years.
Our empathetic team have a caring and gentle approach. We will take the time to understand your fears and concerns, so we can tailor treatment to reduce or eliminate your anxiety. Our goal is to make you feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible, and in control of your appointments.
If you are nervous about visiting the dentist, if you have dental anxiety, or if you have had a bad experience in the past, let us know.
We also offer a range of sedation options for your consideration, including oral sedatives, inhalation sedation (also called ‘happy gas’), and our popular ‘sleep dentistry’ IV sedation.
For more information, click here.
Do you offer IV Sedation for your procedures?
Yes, we offer IV (Intravenous) Sedation. This is also called ‘sleep dentistry’, ‘conscious sedation’ or ‘twilight sedation’, and is administered by a specialist anaesthetist
We also offer oral sedatives and inhalation sedation (also called ‘happy’ or ‘laughing’ gas).
At VC Dental we want to ensure you are as comfortable as possible during your appointments. We offer sedation from involved surgery down to the smallest of procedures; depending on the level of complexity or patient anxiety.
For more information click here.
Are you experienced in treating young children?
Yes, we are experienced in Paedodontics, which is specific dentistry for young children.
We see babies as young as 6 weeks old to diagnose and rectify developmental problems such as tongue ties.
We actively encourage the early involvement of children in the dental environment, even if they just accompany a parent to their appointment. We provide a children’s play area, child minding, and conduct children’s tours of the practice so they can become familiar with the setting.
When should my child start seeing the dentist?
Children should have their initial dental check up by their first birthday.
This will allow us to monitor your child’s dental health and development from a young age, and provide them with proactive and ongoing management of their dental health needs.
For more information please click here.
Why are regular dental appointments so important?
Regular dental appointments are important for the early detection of any current or potential future problems, so they can be prevented or treated in the initial stages.
Early detection can limit the likelihood of unpleasant surprises, and can prevent more serious problems occurring later. This equates to less dental visits, less invasive treatment, and less cost.
Tooth decay and gum disease are the two most common causes of tooth loss in adults, and they are both preventable with routine dental care and a good at-home oral hygiene routine.
You can read more about the importance of regular appointments here.
Why is it important to have a healthy mouth?
Maintaining good dental hygiene can greatly reduce your risk of developing cavities (tooth decay), gum disease, enamel erosion, periodontitis, and other dental problems.
Oral health is also an important factor of your overall health and wellbeing. This is because there is a strong relationship between oral health and general health. Studies are showing that poor oral health is significantly associated with other chronic systemic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, stroke and kidney disease1. Regular oral examinations have also become increasingly recognised as a window into the general health of the body. Research shows that a number of systemic conditions have oral manifestations (symptoms)2 meaning your dentist may be able to detect the early signs of a disease, for example oral cancer and diabetes.
You can read more here.
Is it important to continue dental visits during pregnancy?
Visiting a dentist and dental hygienist regularly during pregnancy is highly recommended, both for your own wellbeing and for that of your unborn child.
Just like the rest of your body, your teeth, gums and mouth are affected by hormonal changes during pregnancy. Your increased hormones can cause a dry mouth, oral ‘pregnancy tumours’ (pyogenic granulomas), and can affect your body’s natural response to dental plaque (the layer of biofilm that builds up on your teeth daily) which can lead to, or exacerbate, gum disease. Morning sickness and sweet cravings can also contribute to an increased risk of tooth decay.
Your dental professionals can assess, treat and provide advice about pregnancy-related conditions, so they can be managed effectively during your pregnancy.
You can read more about pregnancy and oral health here.
References
- Dental health services Victoria: Links between oral health and general health – the case for action (2011).
- Oral Manifestations of Systemic Disease – Medical University of South Carolina – Am Fam Physician. 2010.