Are You Looking For a Dentist Near Me?
Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Your First Dental Visit
So you are looking for a Woden dentist and thinking of coming to see us at Acacia Dental Group?
If so, that’s great news and we are truly looking forward to meeting you.
But before you book your appointment, please take a moment to read through this page, we want to make sure you have all the information you need to make your experience with us a pleasant one. And of course, we hope that you will be happy with your dental visit and will continue to come back to see us in the future.
Upon arriving at our dental practice, one of our friendly staff will welcome you and organize your medical history forms. They will also be happy to answer questions you have. However, here are some of the questions you might have in advance of your visit:
Information About Booking Your Dental Consultation
We do not charge you for your initial dental consultation at Acacia Dental Group. If you require a dental treatment, then our dentist will explain your treatment options, and what the costs will be. And please don’t worry, there are no obligations to go ahead with any treatment. It’s entirely up to you, but our dentist will provide you with different options so that you can evaluate what works best for you.
To reduce the risk of oral health issues, and any additional cost for dental treatments when complications arise, we highly recommend routine dental checkups and cleans. At Acacia Dental, we have bundled together everything you would need into a ‘First Time Patient’ package:
- A comprehensive oral examination
- Professional teeth cleaning treatment
- Fluoride treatment
- An updated diagnostic panoramic radiograph (full mouth OPG)/Bitewing Xrays
- Oral hygiene kit, including toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss
For patients without health funds, the total cost is just $245 (a $415 value). If your health fund benefit is more than 60% of the package value, we will waive the gap.
Acacia Dental accepts all health funds, so you can be confident that you are covered depending on the agreement between you and your health fund. We are also preferred providers for Medibank private, Hcf, Cbhs and Smile (Australian Unity, Frank health Insurance, GMHBA, People Care, Defence Health, Budget Direct, Health.com.au). We also honor the Medicare child benefits scheme and Veterans Affairs Cardholders are bulk billed. Click on the button below for further information about health insurance.
All children under 18 and who are eligible for Medicare can access child dental bulk billing (child dental benefits scheme). Your child is entitled to receive up to $1,000 in benefits for dental services over a two year period. Some treatments aren’t covered. Such as orthodontic and cosmetic dentistry. However, all services related to general dentistry including examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals, and extractions are covered.
If your child is not eligible for the child benefit scheme, we bulk bill routine dental treatment for children 12 years old and under.
Veterans Affairs (DVA) Gold Health Card holders – (All Conditions) or Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (Gold) are eligible to bulk bill most clinically required dental services, provided under DVA arrangements.
DVA White Health Card holder (specific conditions) may be eligible for clinically required dental services, if required for an accepted war or service caused injury or disease. If you have a White Card, some treatment requires prior approval before it is commenced.
If you are an allied veteran, you are eligible for clinically required treatment of war caused disabilities accepted by your country of enlistment.
To make things a little more convenient for patients, Acacia Dental Group has a HICAPS terminal for automatic claims processing on the spot, in our practice. This permits you to pull from your private health fund immediately, and that you only have to cover the gap in the costs.
We can only process payments that are under $10,000. For any claims above that amount, an invoice must be paid in full, and you claim back the rebate from the health fund.
On the day where health funds are down, payment needs to be done in full and an invoice will be provided to you so that you can get a refund from your health fund.
Payment is due on the day and is payable by cash, cheque, most major credit cards, or bank transfer.
We offer weekly or fortnightly payment plans. In an attempt to help our patients, we have partnered with Certegy Ezi-Pay. This is a flexible, no interest payment plan option that allows you to receive your dental treatment, and then pay it off over an agreed timeframe.
Pensioners and students receive discounts of up to 15% and NO GAP treatment is available to anyone registered with the veterans affairs. We also offer bulk billing for routine dental treatments to children 12 years of age and under. You can find more information about payment options.
About Your Dental Consultation
We normally recommend that patients arrive approximately 10 minutes before their scheduled appointment. This will give sufficient time to complete the Medical History forms.
A Medical History form is required to be completed before we see you, and so you will need a few minutes to complete them fully. The questions are related to your health history. While most people are able to easily answer the questions, there are some additional documents that you should bring with you that can help with you answer the questions.
- If you have a Private Health Insurance Card, please bring this with you.
- Your emergency contact’s best phone number (in case of emergency)
- And the date of your last thorough dental examination (if known)
- A list of your current medications
Here is a list of the type of information you will need for your Medical History Form.
- Who is your emergency contact?
- Information about your health insurance policy
- Details about any existing dental issues
- Medical history; heart issues, high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, and other conditions that could impact future treatment
- Do you have any allergies to food, medication, etc
- What current medication are you taking?
You can complete a medical history form online by simply clicking on the link below and setting up an account. Upon setting the account there is an option to complete the medical history form.
What To Expect When You See The Dentist
This really depends on your reason for visiting us. If your first-time visit is for a routine checkup and clean, your appointment time may last up to a full 60 minutes, so that you can get to know your dentist, ask questions, and address any other issues that arise.
Our normal appointments typically take 30 to 45 mins, if you have a good level of oral health.
Before your treatment, the dentist will want to first find out if you have any dental anxiety and of course any problems in your mouth. It’s important that the dentist identifies these potential problem areas, and removes any plaque or tartar buildup on your teeth. To do this, the dentist will use a special ultrasonic scaler instrument to break off any tartar, and clean the gums. Once this is done, and your teeth are polished to remove any stubborn stains from your teeth.
A protective layer of fluoride is applied with the polish. Once this is finished, your dentist will take a more thorough examination of your mouth and gums to see if there are any indication of decay, grinding, gum disease or teeth alignment issues. And any questions you might have about alternative dental treatments can be addressed.
Once your treatment is finished, your dentist will make recommendations on how to maintain your teeth, and if there are any complications, they may suggest a second visit to correct the problem.
How to find Acacia Dental Group
Office Address: Suite 14, Level 2, Gadal Chambers, 48 Corinna Street, Phillip, Woden Valley, ACT 2606
Car Parking
We recommend parking in the Woden Westfield Shopping centre, which has a free car parking for 2 hours. The car park is less than a 5 minute walk to our dental practice. Alternatively, we have a paid car park next door to our dental practice building on Corinna Street.
Public Transport
Our dental practice is a 2 minute walk from the nearest bus stop on Corrinna Street. Buses are running on Corinna Street all day long. There is also a taxi rank just outside on the street.
What is Acacia Dental’s cancellation policy?
We kindly ask that you provide us with 24 hours notice so that we can offer your appointment time to another patient.
Are you ready to book your first dental appointment with us at Acacia Dental?
Simply pick up the phone and call us at (02) 6281 2222 today.
Office Address: Suite 14, Level 2, Gadal Chambers, 48 Corinna Street, Phillip, Woden Valley, ACT 2606
Alternatively, enter your details below and we will call you straight back.
Book a FREE Consultation
Simply add your details and a member of our staff will call you back. Or go to our online booking system by clicking on the online appointment button.
