At Dental Art, we use the word “affordable” to describe the way we approach cost and payment, not to suggest that our fees are the lowest available or that any particular treatment will cost a set amount. Dental treatment costs vary considerably between patients, because the treatment each person needs varies.
This page explains the specific, practical things we do to help make treatment more manageable, and what those arrangements do and don’t cover.
We discuss cost before treatment begins
We provide a written treatment plan with itemised costs before proceeding with any treatment beyond your initial examination. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, take the plan away to consider, or seek a second opinion before making a decision.
Where more than one clinically appropriate approach exists, we will explain the options available to you, including the differences in cost, longevity, and what each involves. The final decision about whether to proceed, and which option to choose, is always yours.
We plan treatment in stages where clinically appropriate
Not all dental treatment needs to happen at once. Where it is clinically safe to do so, we can sequence treatment over a period of time so costs are spread out, prioritising anything urgent or health-related first.
Staging is a clinical decision as much as a financial one. Some treatment cannot safely be delayed or split, and your dentist will tell you where that applies.
CEREC Same-Day Crowns can help reduce overall cost
Dental Art offers CEREC same-day crowns, made and fitted in a single visit using in-house digital scanning and milling technology. For suitable cases, this can reduce costs associated with temporary crowns, laboratory fees, and additional appointments compared to some traditional crown methods.
Whether a same-day crown is suitable for you depends on your individual clinical situation. Your dentist will advise whether this option is appropriate after examining you, and will explain the cost difference, if any, compared to other crown options.
We are providers for a number of health funds
Dental Art is a Bupa Members First Provider and an HCF Dental Provider, and we accept claims from all other major health funds with dental extras cover.
Provider arrangements may mean higher rebates or lower out-of-pocket costs for members of those funds, but this depends entirely on your individual policy, your level of cover, your remaining annual limits, and any waiting periods that apply. We cannot tell you what your fund will pay. We recommend contacting your health fund directly to confirm your entitlements before treatment.
We provide on-the-spot HICAPS claiming where your fund supports it, so you only pay the gap on the day.
Flexible payment plans
We offer access to flexible, interest-free payment plans through third-party finance providers, which allow eligible patients to pay for treatment in instalments.
These are financial products provided by third parties, not by Dental Art. Approval, eligibility criteria, fees, and terms are determined by the provider, not by us. We do not provide financial advice, and we recommend you read the provider’s terms and conditions in full and consider whether the arrangement is suitable for your circumstances before applying. The providers we work with may change over time.
Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)
Eligible children may be able to access Medicare-funded dental care under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, which we bulk bill. Eligibility is determined by Services Australia, not by our practice, and covers specified basic dental services only, up to a capped amount over a two-year period. We can help you check your child’s eligibility.
What “affordable” does not mean
To be clear about what we are and aren’t saying:
- We do not claim to be the cheapest dental practice in St Kilda or anywhere else.
- We cannot quote a price for treatment without first examining you, because the appropriate treatment and its cost depend on your individual clinical circumstances.
- Fee estimates are estimates. Costs may change if clinical findings differ from what was expected, and we will discuss any change with you before proceeding.
- Discounts, payment plans, and technology such as same-day crowns do not change the clinical suitability of a treatment. We recommend treatment based on clinical need and your informed choice, never on cost alone.
- A more expensive option is not automatically better for you, and a cheaper one is not automatically worse. We will explain the trade-offs.
If cost is a concern
Please tell us. If you’re worried about the cost of recommended treatment, let your dentist or our team know. We can talk through staging, alternatives, what your fund may cover, and payment options. We would rather have that conversation than have you delay care you need.
If you would like a second opinion before proceeding, we support that.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute dental, financial, or legal advice. All treatment costs are individual and require a full clinical assessment by a registered dentist before an estimate can be provided. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks; before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Payment plan options are provided by third parties and are subject to their eligibility criteria, terms, and conditions, and the providers we work with may change over time. All dentists at Dental Art are registered with Ahpra. Please see our Terms & Conditions and Treatment Risks, Limitations and Aftercare for full details.