Starting here, without the guesswork.
Whether it has been six months or six years since your last visit, here is exactly what to expect.
Before you come, during the appointment, and what you leave with.
Before you come
Nothing here is compulsory. If you cannot find something, come anyway — we can usually work around it.
Bring, if you have them
- Photo ID, your Medicare card, and your health fund card if you are claiming
- A list of any medications you take, plus allergies or conditions we should know about
- Recent x-rays or a treatment plan from another practice, if you have them
On the day
- Arrive five to ten minutes early — there is a little paperwork the first time.
- If you are nervous, decide on a pause signal in advance, or ask us to suggest one.
- Eat normally beforehand, unless we have told you otherwise for a specific procedure.
Sixty minutes, in the order it happens.
You stay in control of the pace throughout, and nothing is decided on the day unless you want it to be.
- 1We talk firstBefore anything else, we ask what is worrying you, what has worked at past appointments and what has not, and whether there is anything specific you want looked at. You stay upright in the chair for this part — there is no rush to lie you back.
- 2Then we lookA full examination of your teeth, gums, bite and jaw joints, plus a soft-tissue check of your mouth and throat. X-rays are taken only if they are due, and we explain the reason before taking any. We often show you what we find on the screen as we go.
- 3Then you decideYou can go ahead with all of it, some of it, or none of it that day.
After your visit
What you leave with, and how it is paid for.
You leave with a written plan: what we found, what needs attention, the order we would suggest, and the fee for each item from our sample schedule.
We claim on the spot from all major Australian health funds. Your gap depends on your fund and level of cover; we can quote it before treatment starts.
Eligible children aged 0 to 17 can access bulk-billed basic dental care under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). We check eligibility for you before the appointment.
Nervous? You are far from the only one.
Tell us when you book, or when you arrive, and we will adjust the appointment. We do not offer sedation — the focus is on pacing, communication and staying in control throughout.
- Longer appointmentExtra time built in, so nothing feels rushed.
- A pause signalAn agreed hand signal to stop at any point, for any reason.
- MusicHeadphones with music of your choice, to reduce noise and create distance.
- BreaksAs many as you need, whenever you need them.
Children
A first visit around your child’s first birthday, or when their first teeth appear, is a reasonable starting point. Appointments are short, low-key and paced around your child — often just a look and a chat to begin with.
More on children’s dentistryReady for your first visit?
Book online, or call and talk to a person.