How to choose a dentist in Australia

Last reviewed: 2 November 2026

There is no single right dentist for everyone. What suits you depends on where you live, what care you need, what you can afford and what makes you comfortable. This guide lists practical things to check and ask. It is general information only. For advice about your own teeth, speak to a registered dental practitioner.

1. Decide what matters to you

Before you search, think about what you need. For example:

• A practice close to home or work, or near public transport.
• Appointment times that fit your week.
• Care for children, or for a family.
• Step-free access, or parking.
• A practice where staff speak your language.
• A particular type of care, such as dentures, braces or an emergency appointment.

Listing details can be incomplete or out of date, so confirm what matters most with the practice when you call.

2. Check that the practitioner is registered

Dental practitioners are registered with the Dental Board of Australia, and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) publishes a public Register of practitioners. You can search it by name. The register shows whether a practitioner is registered and whether any conditions apply to their registration. The Dental Board of Australia says the register also includes specialty details for dentists with specialist registration.

Some titles are protected by law. Only dentists with approved specialist registration can use a specialist title, such as orthodontist. If a title matters to you, ask the practice or check the register.

3. Ask about costs before you agree to treatment

There are no standard fees for dental care in Australia. Each practice sets its own, so costs differ between practices. The Australian Dental Association’s policy on informed financial consent says patients should be given cost information before treatment. It also says an estimate is not a guarantee.

Before you agree to treatment, you can ask:

• For a written treatment plan and quote.
• For the item numbers for each service, which help you check what your health fund may pay.
• Whether there are other options, and how they differ in cost and in what they involve.
• About any likely future maintenance costs.
• About payment options, and whether the practice can process health fund claims on the spot (HICAPS).

You can also contact your health fund to check what your cover pays. Our guide to dental costs and payment options has more.

4. Ask what to expect

At your first visit, the dentist will usually ask about your general health and medicines, and check your teeth and gums. Tell them about any health conditions, and ask them to explain anything you do not understand. Useful questions include:

• What does this treatment involve, and how many visits will it take?
• What are the risks and the other options?
• What happens if there is a problem after treatment?
• Who will treat me, and what are their qualifications and experience with this treatment?

5. Check the practical details

• Access. If you use a wheelchair or walking aid, ask about entry, doorways and treatment rooms.
• Emergencies. Ask whether the practice sees emergency patients and what to do out of hours.
• Bookings. Ask how appointments work, and whether cancellation fees apply.
• Children and anxious patients. Ask how the practice supports them.

6. If you have a concern

Raise it first with the practice. If you are still concerned, the Ahpra website says complaints about a health service or its fees can be made to your state or territory health complaints body. Ahpra also says it can consider concerns about a registered practitioner, such as unsafe care or unprofessional behaviour. Different arrangements apply in New South Wales and Queensland.

About this directory

Dentist Near Me is an independent directory. It does not recommend, rank or endorse any practice, and listing information may be incomplete or out of date. Use the directory to find practices, then check the details with the practice itself.

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