How much you pay for public dental health care depends on your situation and the type of treatment you need. You may be able to get treatment for free or there may be a cost involved.
Please note: These fees are effective from 1 October 2014. All fees are subject to change.
Click on the relevant heading below to expand the full fee information.
Emergency dental care fees
Children (0-12 years), Youth (13 to 17 years), Priority groups
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The following groups all receive free emergency dental care:
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Adults (18 years and over)
| Adults who hold a valid health care or pensioner concession card |
$26.50 for an emergency course of care. This includes assessment and treatment of the tooth/gums/false teeth that is causing pain. |
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| Adults who do not hold a valid health care or pensioner concession card |
Treatment available at The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne ONLY. Fees will be similar to what you would pay at a private dentist. You need to pay $150 before the appointment and pay the remaining balance after the appointment. |
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If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander you can receive free emergency treatment at The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne. |
General course of dental care (excluding dentures) fees
Children (0-12 years) and Youth (12-17 years)
| Children and youths who are government concession card holders or dependents of concession card holders |
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Free |
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| Children and Youth 18 years and under who are eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule |
Free |
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| Refugees or asylum seekers |
Free |
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| Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples |
Free | ||
| Cared for by the Children, Youth and Families Division of the Department of Human Services |
Free |
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| Attendee of a special or special development school |
Free |
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| Children (12 years and under) not eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule and who do not fit into any of the above categories |
$31.50 per child for a course of general care which includes an examination and all general dental treatment (with a maximum of $126 per family per year). |
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| Youth (13-17 years) who are not government concession card holders or dependents of concession card holders | Not eligible for general public dental care. |
Adults (18 years and over)
| Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card holders |
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$26.50 per visit (the most you will need to pay for a complete general course of care is $106). This includes examination and all general dental treatment. |
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Homeless people and people at risk of homelessness |
Free |
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Refugees and asylum seekers |
Free |
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Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples |
Free |
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Adults who do not fit into any of the above categories |
Not eligible for general public dental care. |
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Specialist dental care (excluding dentures) fees
Fees for specialist services (The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne only) will be dependent on the treatment provided up to a maximum of $320 for a course of care.
Denture care fees
Fees for dentures are dependent on the type of dentures required:
$64.50 per denture, capped at $129 for a full upper and lower acrylic denture.
Fee exemptions
Free public dental treatment applies to the following people:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Homeless people and people at risk of homelessness
- Refugees and Asylum Seekers
- Children and young people aged 0-17 years who are health care or pensioner concession card holders or dependents of concession card holders
- All children and young people up to 18 years of age, who are in out-of-home care provided by the Children Youth and Families Division of the Department of Human Services
- All youth justice clients up to 18 years of age in custodial care
- Registered clients of mental health and disability services, supported by a letter of recommendation from their case manager or staff of special developmental schools
- Those receiving care from undergraduate students
- Those experiencing financial hardship