Find a Dentist in Australia

Public dental care is run by each state and territory

Every state and territory runs its own public dental service with its own eligibility rules. In general, children can use public dental services, and adults usually need a concession card such as a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card. Waiting lists and which cards are accepted differ between states, so check your state’s page below.

Medicare and private health insurance

Most dental care is not covered by Medicare. Private health insurance extras (general treatment) cover can help with many dental services, usually with limits per service and per year.

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is an Australian Government program that helps pay for basic dental services for eligible children. A child can get CDBS when they are eligible for Medicare, aged 0–17 for at least one day in the calendar year, and they or their parent, carer or guardian receive an eligible payment at least once that year. You do not need to apply; Services Australia sends a letter if your child is eligible.

Benefits apply over two consecutive calendar years. It covers check-ups, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals and extractions, in public or private practices. It does not cover orthodontic or cosmetic work, or dental services in hospital. When you book, tell the practice you want to use CDBS; you can check your child’s balance in myGov.

Dental emergencies

Call 000 for swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, bleeding that will not stop, or a serious injury to the face or head, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. For health advice at any hour, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). Each state page lists the local public dental contact for urgent problems.

Checking a dentist’s registration

Every dentist, dental hygienist, oral health therapist, dental therapist and dental prosthetist practising in Australia must be registered. You can check any practitioner on the Ahpra Register of practitioners by name or registration number; the register also shows any conditions on their registration.

In Australia the title “specialist” is protected. The Dental Board of Australia recognises 13 dental specialties, such as orthodontics and endodontics, and titles like “orthodontist” may only be used by dentists with specialist registration in that field. If a practice describes a dentist as a specialist, you can confirm it on the Ahpra register. Find a Dentist does not describe practitioners as specialists unless that registration has been checked.