If you've typed "dental check up cost" into Google before picking up the phone, you're not alone. It's one of the most common questions we get asked at Hocking Dental Care, and it's a fair one. Nobody likes being surprised by a bill, especially for something as routine as a check-up. This guide walks through what a check-up and clean actually includes, how the item numbers work, and why your gap payment might look different to your neighbour's.
What's actually included in a dental check-up cost
A standard check-up and clean usually covers a few separate parts, not just one single service. Your dentist examines your teeth, gums and mouth, looks for early signs of decay or gum problems, and checks how your bite is tracking. Then a clean removes the plaque and tartar that brushing and flossing can't shift on their own.
Depending on what we find, your appointment might also include x-rays to check between teeth or under the gum line, and a fluoride treatment to help strengthen your enamel. At Hocking Dental Care we use an intraoral camera during your check-up, which puts a photo of your tooth up on the screen beside the chair. That way you can see exactly what we're looking at, rather than just taking our word for it.
You can read more about what's covered under our preventative dentistry page, which goes through check-ups and cleans in a bit more detail.
Why dentists use item numbers
Every dental treatment in Australia has a standard code attached to it, known as an item number. These numbers are set out in a schedule used nationally by dentists and health funds, so a clean in Hocking uses the same code as a clean in Melbourne or Adelaide. A comprehensive exam, a periodic exam, a scale and clean, and a fluoride treatment each have their own separate number.
These codes matter because they're what your health fund uses to work out your rebate. We've put together a separate guide on how dental item numbers work if you want to understand what's listed on your written estimate or your claim statement. Before any treatment starts, our team gives you a written estimate with the item numbers listed, so you can check them against your own policy if you'd like to.
How preferred-provider funds and HICAPS work
Hocking Dental Care is a preferred provider for HBF, Medibank, HCF, nib and Bupa. Being a preferred provider with one of these funds usually means a smaller gap for you to pay, compared to going to a dentist who isn't recognised by your fund at that level. It doesn't mean treatment is free, and it won't bring your gap down to nothing, but it generally helps.
We use HICAPS in the practice, which lets us process your claim on the spot. Rather than paying the full amount and waiting for a refund, you tap your health fund card at the end of your appointment, and the rebate is taken off straight away. You only pay the difference, known as the gap. You can read more about how this works on our HICAPS page.
If your fund isn't one of our preferred providers, you can usually still claim. The claiming process just might work a little differently, and your rebate level depends entirely on your own policy and level of extras cover.
Why the gap is different for everyone
Two people can have what looks like the same check-up and still end up with different amounts to pay. A few things affect this:
- Which health fund you're with, and whether that fund has a preferred-provider arrangement with your dentist
- Your level of extras cover, and how much of your annual limit you've already used
- Whether your check-up needs extra items, like additional x-rays, a longer clean, or a fluoride treatment
- Whether it's your first visit with us, which usually involves a more thorough initial exam than a routine follow-up
Because of all this, we can't give you an exact figure over the phone before we've seen your teeth. What we can promise is a written quote, with the item numbers listed, before any treatment goes ahead. That way nothing is a surprise and you can check it against your own fund if you want to.
Dental check up cost for kids in Hocking
Many families ask about dental check up cost for kids specifically. Eligible children may be able to access a check-up and clean through the Medicare Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), which is a government program for children who meet certain criteria. The rules around who qualifies and what's covered change from time to time, so it's worth checking directly with Services Australia for current details before your child's appointment.
Outside of government schemes, children's check-ups follow a similar process to adult ones, just scaled to a smaller mouth and often a shorter appointment. We see every age at Hocking Dental Care, from a child's very first check-up through to denture care, and a pram fits comfortably beside the chair if you're bringing a little one along too. Families can also book siblings back to back, which saves a few trips to the car park on Greenfields Circle.
Getting a clearer idea of your own cost
The most reliable way to find out what your dental check up cost in Perth will actually be is to book an appointment and let us look. We'll ask about your health fund when you arrive, run your card through HICAPS if you're with one of our preferred-provider funds, and talk you through the written estimate before we start any treatment. If you're a new patient, it's worth having a look at our new patients page, which explains what to expect at your first visit.
If you tend to feel a bit nervous about dental visits, there's a box on our booking form you can tick to let us know. We'll allow extra time, explain each step as we go, and you're always welcome to ask us to stop.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a dental check up in Australia?
It varies depending on what your check-up includes, such as x-rays or a fluoride treatment, and on your own health fund cover. Rather than quote a figure that may not apply to you, we give every patient a written estimate with item numbers before starting any treatment.
Does my health fund cover the full cost of a check-up?
It depends on your policy and how much of your annual extras limit you have left. Being with a preferred-provider fund like HBF, Medibank, HCF, nib or Bupa usually means a smaller gap, but it's rarely nothing at all.
What's included in a standard check-up and clean?
Typically an examination, a scale and clean to remove plaque and tartar, and sometimes x-rays or a fluoride treatment if they're needed. We'll confirm exactly what your appointment involves before we begin.
Can I claim on the spot at Hocking Dental Care?
Yes, we use HICAPS, which lets us process your health fund claim straight away at the end of your appointment, so you only pay the gap. If your fund isn't one of our preferred providers, you can usually still claim, just check with your fund directly.
How often should I get a check-up?
Most dentists recommend a check-up and clean roughly every six months, though your own dentist may suggest a different interval depending on your teeth and gums. It's worth asking at your next visit what timeframe suits you.
If you'd like a clearer picture of your own dental check up cost, the easiest step is to get in touch. Call Hocking Dental Care on (08) 9306 2755, or choose a time online that suits you. We're at 92 Greenfields Circle, Hocking, with parking out the front, and we're always happy to talk you through costs and claiming before anything is booked in.
