Find a Dentist in Western Australia

936 dental practices in Western Australia are listed on Find a Dentist.

Western Australia had an estimated 3.10 million residents at 31 March 2026 and the fastest population growth of any state or territory over the previous year (2.1%). Most people live in and around Perth, but WA’s size means that for many families the nearest practice can be some distance away.

Describe what you need in the search above, such as “dentist in Joondalup open Saturdays” or “child’s first check-up, Mandurah”. Below is a guide to WA’s public dental system, children’s dental care and urgent help.

Finding a dentist in WA

Private practices provide most dental care in WA. The state’s Dental Health Services runs the School Dental Service, public general dental clinics in Perth and country WA, and schemes that use participating private dentists.

If you are comparing private practices, note how far you are willing to travel for follow-up visits, the hours you can attend, and whether the practice offers what you need, such as children’s care, dentures or support for anxiety.

Public dental care in WA

Dental Health Services describes these main public options:

School Dental Service: general dental care for students at WA Department of Education-recognised schools, aged 5 to 16 or until the end of Year 11, through dental therapy centres at or near schools.
General dental clinics: general and emergency care for people who hold a current Health Care Card or Pension Concession Card and are not eligible for the School Dental Service, and for children aged 0–4 listed on a parent’s card.
Private dentist schemes: the Country Patients Dental Subsidy Scheme and, when funding permits, the Metropolitan Patients Dental Subsidy Scheme, which use approved private dentists.

For details about eligibility, call Dental Health Services on (08) 9313 0555.

Medicare, health funds and payment options

Most dental care is not covered by Medicare. If you are not eligible for public care, you will usually see a private dentist, and private health insurance extras cover may help, up to your policy’s limits.

Ask for an itemised treatment plan before you agree to treatment, check whether your health fund can be claimed at the desk, and ask whether payment plans are available. Our search can look for practices that list these options.

Kids’ dental care and CDBS in WA

Most school-aged children in WA can use the School Dental Service while they are enrolled at a recognised school. Children aged 0–4 listed on a parent’s Health Care or Pension Concession Card can attend a public general dental clinic.

Families receiving certain government payments may also be able to use the Child Dental Benefits Schedule at public or private practices. Benefits apply over two consecutive calendar years.

Dental emergencies in WA

Call 000 for swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, bleeding that will not stop, or a serious injury to the face or head.

Dental Health Services asks eligible patients needing urgent care to phone their local public dental clinic for an appointment rather than turning up. On weekends and public holidays, the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia runs an emergency clinic at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital for patients over 16, by phone appointment; for children under 16, Dental Health Services refers families to Perth Children’s Hospital Dental Emergency.

For after-hours advice about a dental emergency, Dental Health Services lists 1800 098 818, available 6:30pm to 8am.

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.

Questions to ask before booking

Are you taking new patients, and what is the wait for a first appointment?
Can you give me a written estimate before treatment?
Do you take part in any Dental Health Services schemes?
How do you help patients who feel nervous?
Who do I call if I have pain after hours?

How Find a Dentist matches you

Type what you need in your own words: your suburb in WA, the kind of care you are after, and anything that matters to you, such as hours, payment plans, children, nerves, access needs or language. The search matches this against the details practices provide and explains each match in plain language.

We do not show star ratings or reviews, and we cannot give dental or medical advice. Please do not enter personal details such as your name, phone number or Medicare number.

Frequently asked questions

Who can use the WA School Dental Service?

It provides general dental care to eligible students attending WA Department of Education-recognised schools, aged 5 to 16 or until the end of Year 11.

Who can use public general dental clinics in WA?

Holders of a current Health Care Card or Pension Concession Card who are not eligible for the School Dental Service, and children aged 0–4 listed on a parent’s card.

How do I get urgent public dental care in WA?

Eligible patients should phone their local public dental clinic for an appointment rather than turning up.

Where can I get emergency dental care in Perth on a weekend?

Eligible patients over 16 can phone for an appointment at the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia’s weekend and public holiday emergency clinic at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Children under 16 are referred to Perth Children’s Hospital Dental Emergency. For life-threatening symptoms, call 000.

Is there an after-hours dental advice line in WA?

Dental Health Services lists an after-hours emergency advice service on 1800 098 818, from 6:30pm to 8am every day.

Can I walk in to a public dental clinic for urgent care?

No. Dental Health Services asks patients to phone their local public dental clinic for an appointment and not to attend without one.

How can I check a dentist’s registration?

Use the Ahpra Register of practitioners, which lists every registered dental practitioner in Australia.

What does Find a Dentist do with my search?

It matches what you asked for against the details practices provide and explains each match. Please do not enter personal details such as your name or Medicare number.

Sources and last checked

Facts on this page were checked on 26 October 2026 against these sources. Fees, phone numbers and eligibility can change, so please confirm with the service.