No Gap, CDBS, Vouchers and Health Funds: How Dental Costs Work in Liverpool

People searching for a cheap or no gap dentist in Liverpool are usually asking the same question: what will I actually pay? The answer depends less on the clinic and more on which of four funding sources applies to you. Here is how each one works.

1. Private health insurance

If your extras cover includes dental, your fund pays a set rebate for each item and you pay the difference, called the gap. We claim on the spot through HICAPS, so you only pay the gap on the day. “No gap” offers mean a clinic accepts the fund rebate as full payment for certain preventive items. Whether that applies depends on your fund and your level of cover, so bring your card and we can check before any treatment.

2. Medicare Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)

Eligible children aged 0 to 17 can use up to $1,158 of dental care over two calendar years. It covers check-ups, X-rays, cleans, sealants, fillings, root canals and extractions. Eligibility is tied to payments such as Family Tax Benefit Part A. See our kids dentist page.

3. NSW public dental vouchers (OHFFSS)

Adults with a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, and all children under 18, are eligible for NSW public dental care. After you are assessed by calling 1800 679 336, the public service may issue a voucher that you can use at a private clinic like ours for the treatment it authorises, at no cost to you.

4. DVA Gold and White cards

Veterans with a Gold Card are covered for most dental treatment, and White Card holders for treatment related to accepted conditions. We bill DVA directly.

If none of those apply

• Ask for a written quote with item numbers before any treatment. You are entitled to one.
• Prevention is the cheapest dentistry there is: a six-monthly check-up and clean costs far less than the filling, root canal or crown it prevents.
• Tell us your budget. There is often more than one way to fix a problem, and we can stage treatment so the urgent work is done first.

Want to know what your visit will cost? See our dental services in Liverpool. Book online or call (02) 9822 7107.