Looking for private health Cover (Dental)

Gomo on 06/08/2014 - 18:06

Hi Guys,

Had my teeth cleaned at the dentist today, As I have not had a general clean in more then 4 years the guy said it was pretty bad, I also had an infection (Causing pain) on one of my wisdom teeth. The guy said that 3 of 4 had to come out sooner or later, as they are pretty decayed

Ended up being charged $270 for my general clean because they took alot longer then a normal cleanup, also had to use anesthetic on my lips and inside my gums as it was very painful lots of blood around my gums during the clean.

even had to change my bib!

Anyway that aside, They have given me a script to take for the infection (Antibiotics) taking them now, also given me a plan for my next visit, $520 doing 4 fillings and also another clean as the guy said it needs to be done as well to much blood and couldn't see enough when he was doing the first clean, so said to do it in stages.

I don't have any private health cover and this is getting pretty expensive, that $520 I mentioned does not include the removal of my current wisdom teeth either!

I've looked a Bupa and they have a 2 month waiting period on dental guessing I'm out of luck and will just have to cop the full bill?

Financial

Comments

  • hangdog on 06/08/2014 - 18:16
    +1

    You might be a good candidate for the www.smile.com.au dental plan. There are some posts about it in the ozbargain forums.

  • modsec802 on 06/08/2014 - 18:52

    Most funds have a promo where there's no waiting period on extras. HCF offers this every second month or so. Try to find one that does.
    Also, I recommend a checkup and clean every six months. Never had a problem myself as I haven't missed a six month checkup.

  • modsec802 on 06/08/2014 - 18:54

    AHM is pretty modern and has no extras waiting periods on most plans.

  • modsec802 on 06/08/2014 - 18:57

    nIB also have instant extras claims until aug 31

    • Gomo on 06/08/2014 - 19:07

      thanks! will check out NIB! also going to sus out that smile.com.au site

      Looked a NIB they have 12 month waiting period on complex surgery (Wisdom tooth)

      Complex dentistry procedures such as:
      crowns and bridges
      root canal therapy
      removal of wisdom teeth
      dentures
      implants

      Does this not apply to the waiving of there 2 month thing?

      • Seven8Nine on 06/08/2014 - 19:41

        just be mindfulof some extras cover BUPA esp), some policy wont pay for 2nd / 3rd visit made within 6 months to same dentist (where first 1st visit)

        can check following as well if not taking health cover,
        http://www.wisdomdentalemergency.com.au/pricing

      • nickyd84 on 13/02/2015 - 13:16

        Major Dental will always have a 1 year wait, everywhere!

    • modsec802 on 07/08/2014 - 10:07

      I don't know how they make any money if it only costs you $87 for two people for 2 years you can claim hundreds of dollars of benefits?!?

      • Gomo on 07/08/2014 - 10:20

        yep, I know I went to my local dentist to ask if they accepted smile before I signed up they said they sure do, I have a checkup tomorrow with them

        • ujwols on 07/08/2014 - 15:23

          let us know how it goes..interested to know if it was worth getting the smile.com.au membership

        • Gomo on 07/08/2014 - 18:27

          @ujwols:

          Just had an interesting phone call from the dentist guy who actually performed my clean and assessment yesterday,

          As I rung up and cancelled my current appointment with the guys I went with yesterday, I have re-booked with another dentist directly in-front of this one.

          He was unsure why I cancelled, I told him that "Smile.com.au" didn't cover his dentist, I confirmed this morning with the ladies anyway just to be sure. he just wanted to make sure I was getting still looked at as he thought I had just cancelled and not worrying.

          Told him that I booked again with the other dentist, because they cover smile.com.au members. He said fair enough, he did say that if my removal of wisdom teeth is complicated they might refer me back to the original dentist, (Unknown if true)

          Will post back my assessment in the morning as I have provided the new dentist my x-rays already.

          If I was just getting one wisdom tooth removed, would I be better of just getting the others taken out while I'm at it?

  • Gomo on 20/08/2014 - 13:52

    Just had all 4 wisdom teeth removed,

    Total price was $1,360 including my Smile.com.au membership

    did not take very long to do, maybe an hour I was given injections near my wisdom teeth and then we let it sit there for a few minutes to take effect, that was at 10am this morning, at 2pm today I still have numbing, I think he did a total of 4 injections .

    During the tooth removal a few tools were used to wedge it onto a side then he used a tool to pull it straight out, worked pretty well only had issues removing both bottom ones but they where huge!

    Photos of my teeth if your keen to see ;)
    http://imgur.com/a/q6wpG

    ^ Decay is noticed a fair amount on these, dentist said it was pretty common as it's a hard to reach tooth to clean over during regular brushing..

    Was a little painful with all the pushing and pulling of the teeth but honestly it was over pretty quickly, If I paid around $4,000 I would of had it done in a hospital and been put a sleep during the removal, but that is to pricey ;) especially being an ozbargainer heck I don't see deals on removal of wisdom teeth do you ? haha

    • easternculture on 18/09/2014 - 01:00

      I got all my 4 wisdom teeth removed for $800 at my dentist last year. And that was without private health insurance or smile membership.

      Just some advice for dental procedures, shop around before you decide on a dentist or orthodontist , combine it with word of mouth for reputation and you get a good deal

  • Gomo on 20/08/2014 - 13:53

    I can't talk properly at all as my tongue is also numb ;) taken 2 weeks off work to fully recover, gotta go back in 7 days for them to do a checkup and remove stitches.

    Definitely going back every 6 months for a regular clean, my last one before doing this one was over 4 years ago, by not getting a clean you will end up with major dental bills I assure you no matter how much brushing / flossing and mouth washing you do.

  • Gomo on 16/09/2014 - 22:44

    Just came back to this thread to say thank you to who ever signed up using my promo code!

    I've just received 2 x Movie vouchers!

    as I was a referral it seems!

    Cheers

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