JulesM Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Hi allI am looking at finding a good dentist for my family. We are in the South-East of Melbourne. I have been given two names by two mums around here, but both have said that they are just ok, but better than some they have been to! This scares me to death! I am a bit of a scaredy cat about dentists and had found the most awesome dentist in South Africa with a fantastic way with my kids and me! Wish he had moved over here too! hahaha..Any pointers in the right direction would be much appreciated xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibella Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Sorry we are in the Outer East but we have a great dentist. They have a kids playground, tv's on the ceiling and are really patient at explaining everything, talking directly to your child as well.Kids also get a 'lucky packet' with toothpaste, toothbrush and toys and they are reasonably prices as my health insurance covered the cost of the visit and cleaning for my daughter.Anyway if anyone living around here is looking for a dentist they are called My Body Dental in Croydon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunnyskies Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 We have a great dentist located in Balwyn so may be a bit far for you. They are great with kids and adults. The practice is called Century Dental. We see the younger dentist Steven Roskier but his older colleague is apparently also great. Very gentle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesM Posted July 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Thanks Sibella and Sunnyskies! I had a look at both and they look great! I'm not fussed about driving to see a good medical professional - rather that than get stuck with a bad one just because they in your area. In SA I drove far for all the docs! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesM Posted July 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 So eventually went to a dentist not too far from where we stay at the moment. I was given the reccomendation by our rental agent, who is a lovely lady. The dentist I wanted to see was not working on that day, but at this point I was in alot of pain so accepted an appointment with one of the others working in the practice. I was in there for maybe 10min if not less - she just had a quick look at what I said was hurting me, took an xray, and sent me on my way with a prescription for anti-biotics, pain tabs (neurophen) and a treatment plan of an estimated $3265!! Oh my word! She didnt even check to see that all is well with the rest of my teeth? I also have the choice of having the tooth removed and a replacement tooth fitted ( I didnt even ask about the costs of that, as I think I was in a bit of shock)Apparently my filling is cracked and I now have an infection..and the nerves are dying off, so will need a root canal teatment and a crown.As we do, I converted this amount back to SA Rands, and nearly fell over! Can anyone comment if this is an average price for that kind of treatment or is it a bit of a rip-off - its hard to tell if you're not from here? At this price Im sure its cheaper to fly back to SA and have the treatment done at my dentist and probably still have change left...hahahaha..oh dear.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nev Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 That sounds like waaaay too much.http://www.edwardesdental.com.au/I went to these guys, they are nice and were not expensive here in north eastern Melbourne (Preston), i will go back there again when i need a dentist.Perhaps give them a call, tell them what you need done and ask what they would charge, that will at least give you a benchmark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 A year ago I had root canal done by specialist and a new cap fitted by dentist, it ended up costing $4500, not cheap by any means. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1982 Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 That is soooooo expensive - we haven't left SA yet so maybe I should consider false teeth at the age of 32 . Do you by any chance know how much dental cover costs over there? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nev Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 (edited) there is an "Extra's" cover that gives you something towards dental however when i tried to use it they only gave me a portion of the bill for a filling and it has a yearly cap that is not in line with its cost, bottom line is you will be better off just saving the money every month for unforeseen stuff Edited July 8, 2014 by Nev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibella Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 It depends on your health insurance. We are with HIF and my daughter had two extractions and two fillings done recently and I didn't have to pay in too much extra at all. Obviously root canal etc. will be a lot more but really do your homework regarding health insurance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunnyskies Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 (edited) My husband had a crown replaced recently. Yes $3000 is the norm for a crown. We have friends who do go back to SA for major dental but bear in mind its a 10 day process. Our medical pays $1800 pa per person for major dental which includes crowns. My son had a filling today. We paid $36 out of a $160 bill. Edited July 8, 2014 by Sunnyskies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Posted July 10, 2014 Report Share Posted July 10, 2014 $3000 just for the crown or do you mean with root canal? My dentist charges around $1200 for a crown i think... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesM Posted July 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2014 On the treatment plan it looks like the crown is around $1600 and the rest is for the root canal.. And it seems like this is aroind the average price. We probably have around $1500 annual limit each on our Medical extras portion for major dental procedures - but, as we are new here, and new on the insurance, we have a 12 month waiting period for those things from when we started on it! So I probably have around 7 months or so before I can actually use it My pain subsided and the infection seemed to clear as the tablets came to an end last week..but sadly today I feel a tinge of pain coming back. Oh dear!So you really need to try look after your teeth very well here, so that you dont end up needing these expensive procedures! I think we were very spoilt with our medical aids back in South Africa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Posted July 14, 2014 Report Share Posted July 14, 2014 Some private "extras" policies pay a "set benefit"....say a filling cost $300 they may only give you $180. Other policies have a "set percentage"....say 75%-90%...so if on the 85% policy like I am a $300 fee would only leave a gap of $45 rather than $120.Note some policies only give a "set percentage" on general dental and still use the lessor "set benefit" on major dental...mine uses the "set percentage" on both general and major dental (crowns etc). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted July 14, 2014 Report Share Posted July 14, 2014 (edited) On the treatment plan it looks like the crown is around $1600 and the rest is for the root canal.. And it seems like this is aroind the average price. We probably have around $1500 annual limit each on our Medical extras portion for major dental procedures - but, as we are new here, and new on the insurance, we have a 12 month waiting period for those things from when we started on it! So I probably have around 7 months or so before I can actually use it My pain subsided and the infection seemed to clear as the tablets came to an end last week..but sadly today I feel a tinge of pain coming back. Oh dear!So you really need to try look after your teeth very well here, so that you dont end up needing these expensive procedures! I think we were very spoilt with our medical aids back in South Africa.Jules if you are with Medibank it really helps to go to one of their 'preferred providers.' Maybe other medical funds have the same, I'm not sure. You will be given item numbers on the quote. Are all the items 'major dental' items? Your medical fund can tell you.We downgraded our Medibank recently and still all 5 of us got a free checkup & clean and xrays last week, because we went to a 'preferred provider'.But yes, I feel for you. The cost of dental/medical work is a joke here and in my opinion the quality not great. Edited July 14, 2014 by Bronwyn&Co Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noele2106 Posted July 14, 2014 Report Share Posted July 14, 2014 So eventually went to a dentist not too far from where we stay at the moment. I was given the reccomendation by our rental agent, who is a lovely lady. The dentist I wanted to see was not working on that day, but at this point I was in alot of pain so accepted an appointment with one of the others working in the practice. I was in there for maybe 10min if not less - she just had a quick look at what I said was hurting me, took an xray, and sent me on my way with a prescription for anti-biotics, pain tabs (neurophen) and a treatment plan of an estimated $3265!! Oh my word! She didnt even check to see that all is well with the rest of my teeth? I also have the choice of having the tooth removed and a replacement tooth fitted ( I didnt even ask about the costs of that, as I think I was in a bit of shock)Apparently my filling is cracked and I now have an infection..and the nerves are dying off, so will need a root canal teatment and a crown.As we do, I converted this amount back to SA Rands, and nearly fell over! Can anyone comment if this is an average price for that kind of treatment or is it a bit of a rip-off - its hard to tell if you're not from here? At this price Im sure its cheaper to fly back to SA and have the treatment done at my dentist and probably still have change left...hahahaha..oh dear..I was quoted between $6800 - $7200 for a tooth implant last year. Did a bit of homework and ended up flying back to JHB, saw a specialist in Rosebank , same procedure cost me $750 for implant and another $750 for the crown to be fitted. So cost $1500 for tooth implant, $2200 for airfare (did stay with family, so no accommodation expenses). 2nd flight back to JHB in December $2300, total cost $6000, still have change and got to visit family! It is better to wait until you need a couple of procedures done to make it totally cost effective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nev Posted July 14, 2014 Report Share Posted July 14, 2014 I cancelled the extra's on my medical, had 3 fillings at a cheaper dentist and the medical only paid out half,If you do the maths with the percentage they pay out & The cap, compared to the cost of the monthly fee you have very little chance of getting your moneys worth in a year, and in a high cost situation they wont cover it anyway so it is not insuranceI felt positively cheated, just stick the money in the bank and consider yourself to be self insured 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted July 14, 2014 Report Share Posted July 14, 2014 Yeah Nev we paid Visitor's cover for 4 years, then went on the top cover after that. It's just become totally unaffordable and we were not using any of it! It was crazy. One physio appointment in the past 3 years but $400pm. No man!Downgraded to the 'settled families' plan now, and paid the year in advance to get the discount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 I cancelled the extra's on my medical, had 3 fillings at a cheaper dentist and the medical only paid out half,If you do the maths with the percentage they pay out & The cap, compared to the cost of the monthly fee you have very little chance of getting your moneys worth in a year, and in a high cost situation they wont cover it anyway so it is not insuranceI felt positively cheated, just stick the money in the bank and consider yourself to be self insuredNev, did you see my post mentioning that some pay a set percentage rather than set benefits like it seems you suffered ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nev Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 Hmmm, yep just read it again, that is more the kind of insurance that i am willing to pay for, who are you with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesM Posted August 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2014 So back onto my dentistry saga.I took my son to a different dentist to the ones I had seen the other day as he was complaining of tooth pain. He had a hole in his tooth, so needed a filling. He also had 2 x-rays taken. The tooth already had a little filling in it, and when the dentist checked this out, there was decay under this one too. The result was a very large filling that needed to be done - almost the entire tooth! A general checkup was also done on his other teeth. The dentist himself was really nice, and very thorough - we were there nearly 2hrs!! Then I went to pay the bill...needless to say I was quite shocked once again by the cost of dental treatment- $790, of which our private medical only covered $233! Oh my word, think we will really have to start looking to see if our medical insurance is good enough.. We are with AHM, and they do not state that they have preferred providers. The receptionist also mentioned to me about the Child dental benefits scheme on Medicare, but when she checked it seems we do not qualify. Maybe something to do with not being here long enough, or possibly not in the salary bracket or something - not sure?Oh well, as I mentioned before - look after your teeth here people Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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