Dental guides

These guides answer common questions about dental care in Australia in plain language: choosing and visiting a dentist, costs, health funds and public dental services, common treatments, gum health, children’s dental care and what to do in an emergency. Each guide lists the public sources it draws on. They are general information, not medical or dental advice. Speak to a registered dental practitioner about your situation.

Finding and visiting a dentist

What to check before you book, and what to expect at a visit.

How to choose a dentistPractical things to check and ask: registration, fees, access, languages and what to expect.Read the guideDental check-upsWhat usually happens at a check-up, how often to go and how to prepare.Read the guideDental hygienistsWhat hygienists and oral health therapists do, and what a professional clean involves.Read the guideDental anxietyCoping techniques, what to tell the practice and sedation options.Read the guideAccessible dental careQuestions to ask about access and support needs, and public special care services.Read the guide

Costs and cover

How fees, health funds and public dental services work in general.

Dental costs and payment optionsHow fees, Medicare, health funds, public dental services and the CDBS work.Read the guidePublic and private dental careWho can use public dental services in each state and territory, and when private care may suit.Read the guideHealth funds and HICAPSHow extras cover, waiting periods, item numbers and on-the-spot claiming work.Read the guide

Treatments

Plain guides to common treatments.

Dental implantsWhat an implant is, how treatment is staged, who provides it and questions to ask.Read the guideDenturesTypes of dentures, who makes them, getting used to them and daily care.Read the guideRoot canal treatmentWhat the treatment involves, signs a tooth may need it and recovery.Read the guideWisdom teeth and oral surgeryWhy wisdom teeth can cause problems, what removal involves and recovery.Read the guideBraces and orthodonticsBraces, clear aligners and retainers, who provides them and what to ask first.Read the guideTeeth whitening and cosmetic dentistryHow whitening works, who it may not suit, side effects and other cosmetic options.Read the guide

Gums, children and emergencies

Looking after your gums, care for children, and what to do when something goes wrong.

Gum diseaseSigns of gingivitis and periodontitis, how it is treated and how to help prevent it.Read the guideChildren's dental careFinding care for a child, the Child Dental Benefits Schedule and preparing for a visit.Read the guideEmergency dentist: what to doWhen to call 000, when to see a dentist soon, a knocked-out tooth and after-hours help.Read the guide

Last reviewed: 1 November 2026

General information, not medical or dental advice. Speak to a registered dental practitioner about your situation.