Key messages
- Seeing the same dentist over a long period of time lets your get consistent care where your dentist knows your history of dental treatment which cannot be matched by regularly changing dentists.
- Your choice of dentist should not be compromised by your private health insurance fund. You have the right to choose your dentist.
Finding a dentist
Finding a dentist that you can continue to see long-term is important. Seeing the same dentist over time provides you with "continuity of care" where your dentist knows your dental history. Just like seeing the same doctor over time who knows your medical history well.
Great ways to find a dentist
- Use the Australian Dental Association's Find-a-dentist. This search engine helps you to find an ADA member dentist near you.
- Ask for recommendations from your friends and family.
- If you are moving towns, ask your current dentist if there is a dentist they can recommend in your new location.
You have the right to choose your dentist. This choice should not be compromised by your private health insurance fund who may suggest that you use their contracted or 'preferred provider' dentists.
What to think about when choosing a dentist
Depending on what you are looking for, there are a few points to keep in mind.
- Do their office hours work for you? Do you need a dentist that is open outside the hours of 9 to 5?
- Is the clinic close to public transport or have easy to access parking?
- Is the practice disability friendly?
- Are you looking for a dental practitioner that participates in government schemes such as the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) or the Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Scheme?
- Is it an accredited dental practice? This is not mandatory but a clinic that has practice accreditation means they have worked hard to meet a set of internationally-recognised healthcare standards.
- Are you looking for a dental practitioner that specialises in a particular treatment or area of dentistry?
What to think about during your first visit
Some factors you may like to consider during your first visit include:
- Was the dental practice clean and hygienic?
- Did it appear well-run and inviting?
- Were the dentist and the staff friendly and approachable to you and each other?
- Were they able to provide information about costs, appointments and available treatments?
- Did the dentist explain what would happen during the appointment or explain what they were doing during the procedure? Was this done in a way that you could easily understand?
- Were your concerns addressed?
- When possible, did they provide you with options? Were you told about the risks of treatments, and did they tell you the reasons for their recommendations?
- Did they make sure that you agreed to all fees and treatments before starting?
- Did the dentist talk to you about preventive care, such as brushing and flossing?
All articles are thoroughly researched and reference high-quality studies and information to support the subject matter.
Our experts continually monitor the oral health space. As research and recommendations change or we get reader feedback, we update the information in our articles.