Learn how to look after your teeth and your wallet

Dental insurance is a type of insurance that helps cover the cost of dental care. It can be purchased as a standalone policy or as part of a larger health insurance plan. While dental insurance is not required by law, it can be a valuable investment for many people. Whether dental insurance is worth getting depends on an individual's unique situation.

Nobody likes spending money on medical expenses if they can help it, which is why dental insurance is a bit of a catch-22.

There’s a chance that you may end up spending more over time with dental insurance than you normally would just for standard checkups. If you manage to maintain a clean bill of health then you’re likely to only need to spend $100 - $200 per year on standard checkups.

However, if you start requiring orthodontic treatment, tooth extraction root canal or other dental more expensive dental products then without dental insurance, the bills are going to pile up and they will most likely be unplanned, putting you out of pocket.

Make sure you have a good dentist before looking into a dental insurance plan

Before even looking into dental insurance, the first thing you should always do is make sure that your current dentist is of the highest standard. If your dentist is experienced and reputable and you have built a relationship where you can trust them then you are less likely to require extensive treatments. This is because they will be able to provide you with effective advice and treatments which will help to keep your teeth in the best possible condition.

If you are in between dentists or aren’t confident in your current one, then we recommend visiting Paramount Dental Sydney. They are rated 4.8* on Google, are excellently located within Sydney CBD and have award-winning dental surgeons.

A good dentist may even be able to recommend a dental insurance provider which could save you the hassle of searching around aimlessly.

The key benefits of dental insurance

It can help cover the cost of routine dental care, such as cleanings and check-ups. These routine procedures are essential for maintaining good oral health, and they can help prevent more severe and costly dental issues from arising in the future. With dental insurance, the cost of routine procedures is usually significantly reduced, which can help make dental care more affordable overall for many people.
Dental insurance can help cover the cost of more extensive dental procedures, such as fillings, crowns and orthodontic treatments. These procedures can be very costly without insurance and often come as an unexpected surprise. Many people may not be able to afford them without the help of their insurance.
It can be a good investment for people who have pre-existing dental conditions, such as gum disease, cavities, or missing teeth which will likely need more extensive care. Since these issues are likely to be expensive and potentially require regular attention, dental insurance could really save you here.
You’re more likely to have good dental hygiene and visit the dentist more often if you’ve committed to a dental insurance plan. This is because you’re likely to make the most of your investment. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, for those without dental insurance, 56% of patients would avoid going to the dentist regularly, compared to just 26% of patients with dental insurance.

Downsides to dental insurance

Dental insurance plans often come with annual spending caps and limits on the number of visits and procedures covered. This varies based on the plan you are on, but the entire cost of a procedure may not be covered, leaving the policyholder to pay some costs out of pocket.
Insurance policies can have strict guidelines and requirements that must be met in order to receive coverage. Many policies require that individuals see a dentist for a cleaning and check-up at least twice a year in order to receive coverage for more extensive procedures.
An obvious downside is that dental insurance can be expensive. The cost can vary depending on the individual's age, location, and the type of plan they choose. (we cover this further below).

How much does dental insurance cost in Australia?

In general, basic dental insurance policies in Australia can start at around $20 to $30 per month for an individual and $60 to $80 per month for a family.

These policies typically cover the cost of routine dental care, such as cleanings and check-ups. More extensive coverage, such as coverage for fillings, crowns, and orthodontic treatments, can be more expensive and can range from $50 to $100 per month for an individual and $150 to $200 per month for a family.

As you can see, even if you pay $20 per month, this is $240 per year, which is likely to be more expensive than a standard checkup. However, if you require more expensive dental care then even plans as expensive as $100 per month will likely save you money in the long run for complicated procedures such as root canal.

Aside from the type of plan you choose, dental insurance in Australia varies in price depending on a number of factors:

The older you are, the more likely you’ll be to require dental care and therefore, the price of insurance will be greater than that of a young adult.
Dental insurance premiums tend to be higher in areas with a higher cost of living or where dental services are more expensive. Major cities like Sydney are likely to have more expensive dental insurance premiums due to the higher operating costs including overhead expenses, salaries, and rent.
On the other hand, areas with a higher concentration of dental providers may have more competitive pricing and a wider range of options for insurance coverage. Meanwhile, remote or rural areas with limited access to dental services may be more expensive to compensate for the reduced availability. This is backed up by research done by the Australian Dental Association - Australian Dental Journal 2007

What to look out for when choosing a dental insurance company

It's always advisable to shop around and compare the different policies and providers in order to find the best deal and the right options suitable to you. Before doing anything, make sure to check with your employer or your existing health fund if they offer any dental coverage, as many health insurance companies also provide dental coverage options.

There are some great insurance comparison sites including Canstar, Finder and Compare The Market which can help you to compare prices and plans so you can find something that suits you.

It’s also worth checking for discounts or promotions that might be available through the insurance providers themselves, comparison sites and in some cases through reward schemes that you may be able to take advantage of through your bank, such as CommBank Rewards.

Another thing to look out for when choosing a dental insurance company is to make sure you choose your plan wisely. Some providers will try to lure you into extras that you don’t need or may have hidden fees. Be careful to select a reputable provider with positive customer reviews and transparent pricing and features.

One final thing to watch out for is the waiting period before you can claim dental insurance. Often, after taking out dental cover, you will have to wait 3 - 6 months for basic dental care (e.g. standard checkups) to be covered, 6 - 12 months for more extensive treatments (e.g. tooth extraction) and in some extreme cases, more than 12 months.

Dental insurance companies in Australia

There are many dental insurance companies operating in Australia that offer a range of different policies.

Some of the top dental insurance companies in Australia include HCF, Bupa, Medibank, nib, Australian Unity, and CBHS. These companies are well-established and have a reputation for providing high-quality coverage and excellent customer service.

Should I get dental insurance?

Well, the answer is, it depends…

Whether or not you should opt for dental insurance depends on the current state of your oral health. If your dentist has advised you that your teeth are in great shape and so long as you brush and floss regularly, as well as visiting the dentist at least once per year then there shouldn’t be a real need for dental insurance.

However, if your oral hygiene habits aren’t the best or your dentist has advised you that you may potentially need more intricate dental work in the future then dental insurance could be a good option for you.

If you decide that dental insurance is worth it for you then go ahead and explore your options. If you need help deciding then you can contact us below and we’ll be happy to assist you.