Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ’s
Have questions? You’re not alone! Here are answers to some of the most common questions about dental care, appointments, health funds, kids’ dentistry, and more.
If you don’t see your question here, just give us a call or ask us when you visit — we’re happy to help!
Most people benefit from visiting the dentist every six months for a check-up and professional clean. Regular visits help us catch small problems before they become big (and more expensive), and are key to keeping your teeth and gums healthy long term.
We accept EFTPOS, major credit cards, health fund cards, and offer interest-free payment plans for eligible treatments through Humm, Zip Pay, and Afterpay. In some cases, we can help you apply to access early release of your superannuation. If you’re unsure how to manage the cost of your care, just ask our friendly reception team. We’re here to help.
Yes! We accept all health funds and offer HICAPS for on-the-spot claiming. We are preferred providers for Bupa, HCF, and CBHS. As preferred providers, we offer fixed, agreed-upon rates with these funds helping you get the most value from your dental cover.
Absolutely. We understand that visiting the dentist can be a source of stress or fear for many people and we’re here to help change that experience. Our team takes a gentle, compassionate approach and always takes the time to listen, explain your options, and work at a pace that feels right for you. For those who need a little extra support, we offer happy gas (nitrous oxide) to help you feel more relaxed during treatment. For more complex procedures or higher levels of anxiety, we also offer treatment under general anaesthesia in hospital, where you can be completely asleep and comfortable. You’re not alone and we’re here to make your dental care as calm, safe, and stress-free as possible.
Health fund cover varies depending on your insurer, your level of extras cover, and the specific treatment you’re receiving. Most health funds will cover part or all of the cost for general dental services, while some plans also include major dental services depending on your policy. We recommend checking with your health fund directly or we can let you know your exact rebate once our practitioner has stepped you through your treatment plan and pricing.
Dental X-rays allow us to see what’s happening beneath the surface of your teeth, gums, and jaw areas that can’t be seen with the naked eye during a regular check-up. While your teeth may look and feel fine on the outside, problems can be developing beneath the surface — and X-rays help us spot them early. We may recommend X-rays to detect tooth decay between teeth or under old fillings, check for infections, abscesses, or bone loss, monitor the development of wisdom teeth, assess children’s tooth and jaw development, or to plan treatments like extractions, implants, or root canals.
We use low-radiation digital X-rays, which are very safe and deliver high-quality images quickly. For most patients, X-rays are only taken once every 1–2 years, or when there’s a specific concern. Skipping X-rays could mean missing an issue until it becomes more painful or costly to treat which is why they’re such an important part of long-term dental care. Children and teens may require more frequent, 6–12 month intervals to monitor growth.
We recommend bringing your child to the dentist from around age 2, or shortly after their first baby teeth come through. These early visits are all about helping your child feel comfortable at the dentist and giving parents the chance to ask questions about teething, brushing, thumb-sucking, and diet. We’ll do a gentle check to make sure everything is developing normally, and offer helpful tips for caring for little teeth at home.
Yes, we understand dental emergencies happen. If you have a toothache, broken tooth, swelling, or any urgent dental problem, please contact us as soon as possible. We reserve time daily for emergency patients and will do our best to see you quickly.
If you have a toothache, especially one that worsens or keeps you awake at night, it’s important to seek dental care as soon as possible. Toothaches can be a sign of tooth decay, infection, or other dental issues that need prompt treatment.
In the meantime, you can try rinsing your mouth gently with warm salt water and taking over-the-counter pain relief to help manage discomfort. Avoid very hot, cold, or sugary foods and drinks until you see your dentist. If the pain is severe, accompanied by swelling, fever, or difficulty swallowing or breathing, please seek emergency medical care immediately.
At Hunter Dental Group, we offer emergency dental appointments and will do our best to see you quickly to relieve your pain and address the problem.