Patient Information
Patient Information
Below is some useful information including some oral hygiene tips, special offers and FAQs.
Accessing Superannuation for Dental Treatment at Dentists In Annerley
Accessing Super
Payment Plans
CDBS
FAQ
Key Takeaways
- Superannuation for Medical and Dental Care: Superannuation is an Australian programme that provides financial assistance for essential medical and dental treatments, including emergencies not covered by the public health system.
- Processing Time: The early release of Superannuation funds takes approximately 14-28 days, and the withdrawn amount is taxed as a lump sum if accessed due to financial hardship.
- Careful Consideration: It is crucial to weigh your options and seek financial advice before opting for the early release of Superannuation funds for dental treatment.
Early Access to Super for Dental Treatment: What You Need to Know
In recent years, the option of accessing your superannuation early for dental treatment has become a vital lifeline for many Australians. Dental care is essential for maintaining overall health, but the costs associated with certain procedures can be prohibitive. This blog post will provide a comprehensive guide on the subject, covering the eligibility criteria, application process, potential tax implications, and frequently asked questions to help you make an informed decision.
Understanding Early Access to Super for Dental Treatment
Superannuation is typically meant for retirement, but under certain circumstances, the Australian Government allows individuals to access their super early. One such situation is when you need urgent dental treatment that you cannot afford otherwise. This provision is part of the broader “compassionate grounds” category, which allows people to access their super to cover unpaid medical bills, including those related to dental care.
Eligibility for Using Superannuation for Dental Treatment
To access Superannuation funds early for dental treatment, one must qualify for a compassionate early release, applicable in cases of chronic and acute dental pain not covered by public health. Proof of the condition, validated by medical reports from two practitioners, is required.
Benefits of Using Superannuation for Dental Treatment
- Family Coverage: Funds can cover dental treatments for family members, including spouses and children.
- Private Facility Access: Treatment in private dental facilities with highly trained personnel.
- Financial Relief: Reduces the risk of debt and unexpected medical bills.
- No Credit Checks: Early release does not involve credit checks.
How to Apply for Early Release of Superannuation
Obtain a Quote: Get a detailed quote from your dentist outlining the costs of the proposed treatment.
Consult Your GP: Visit your general practitioner or dentist to obtain a letter that supports your application.
Submit Your Application: Lodge your application with the ATO, including all required documentation. This can be done online through the MyGov website.
ATO Review: The ATO will review your application to ensure it meets all criteria. If approved, you’ll receive a determination letter.
Contact Your Super Fund: Once you have the determination letter, contact your superannuation fund to request the release of the funds.
Conclusion
Accessing Superannuation funds for dental treatment can be a helpful option for patients in need of financial assistance. However, it is essential to consider other alternatives, seek financial advice, and use this option as a last resort to avoid future financial instability.
Contact Us
For more information and assistance on accessing Superannuation for your dental treatment, contact Dentists In Annerley on 07 2111 5189, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. Our experienced team is here to help you navigate the process and ensure you receive the care you need.
Payment Plans
Zip
For patients looking for an ideal and affordable payment plan, we recommend applying online through ZipMoney. ZipMoney allows you to spread the cost of your treatment plan over a period of time with flexible and interest free payments.
Afterpay
Afterpay allows you to enjoy your smile now and pay for it in four equal fortnightly payments. With Afterpay you can spread out the cost of your treatment with no added interest, and no additional fees.
Sign-up to Afterpay, book an appointment with us at Dentists in Annerley, and scan your Afterpay barcode at reception – it’s as easy as that.
Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)
What is CDBS?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is a Commonwealth-funded scheme that covers part or the full cost of certain dental services for children To get this your child must be:
- 2 to 17 years old for at least 1 day that year
- Eligible for Medicare
- Getting a payment from us at least once a year, or have a parent getting a payment from us at least once a year.
What’s Covered
Up to $1,000 over 2 calendar years for basic dental services under CDBS. The services we will cover include:
- Check-ups
- X-Rays
- Cleaning
- Fissure Sealing
- Fillings
- Root Canals
- Extractions
FAQs
The first visit is to establish a baseline and obtain all your records. We then find out what your goals and expected outcomes are and together formulate a treatment plan and timeline. We then finish by doing an ultrasonic scale and clean, polish and prophy, apply fluoride and we also give you a bag of goodies to take with you.
Calculus builds up and can not be removed by simple brushing. This calculus sits above and below the gums and leads to gingivitis and periodontitis. We use an ultrasonic scaler to remove this calculus and plaque restoring your oral and gingival health. Subgingival calculus can lead to tissue and bone loss and in the long term mobility of teeth.
Bleeding gums is usually a sign of gingivitis or periodontitis. Simply brushing will not resolve the problem, sometimes a deep clean is necessary to remove the plaque, calculus and decrease the bacterial load in the mouth, thereby allowing the gums to heal, hence reducing the inflammation and putting a stop to the bleeding.
A sore tooth can be due to many reasons, some of which are; grinding, decay and infection. If pain has come and is now gone, this can be a good or a bad thing, and difficult to assess without having a look. If the pain has gone as the tooth was inflammed from grinding and has subsided, then this is good. However, if the pain was due to a dying tooth and the pain is gone as the tooth has died, then it is very possible to have an infection in the jaw that is yet to cause pain. This is why some people have some pain, then no pain then present with a swollen face.
It is very difficult to say how much a health fund will cover over the phone, however, when you come in we can physically swipe your card and give you a quote prior to any treatment.
This is because there is over 30-40 private health insurances in Australia alone. Furthermore, everyone has a different level of coverage, waiting periods and remaining balance.
We accept all major health funds. If for some reason your fund is not accepted, we will give you a fully itemised receipt in which you can send to your health fund and be reimbursed.
The tooth has 3 main layers; the outer white enamel layer, the middle yellow dentine layer and the inner layer, the nerve (i.e. pulp). The enamel layer is similar to your nails in the way that it does not have any nerve endings and hence no pain when decay goes through this layer. The nerve endings start in the pulp and go into the dentine layer , so when decay starts entering this layer, some people may feel something like sensitivity, others don’t. By the time there is significant toothache or pain, more often than not it has reached the nerve.
Hence it is very common to have decay with no pain, and this is why it is essential to always get checked.
Most people tend to brush their teeth quiet adequately, but yet find that they need to get fillings. Unfortunately when we brush, the bristles do not get in between the teeth as well as we would like. If there is any plaque or calculus between the teeth, this can lead to decay which enters from between the teeth and tends to spread leading to decay and a need for a filling.
Bitewings are the type of X-rays that we take every 2 years. They mainly show us what is happening between the teeth and under the gums (areas we can not see well clinically). Since decay can usually spread with no pain, and decay that starts between the teeth can not be seen clinically, these X-rays are an amazing tool to prevent pain before it begins and catch decay early.
These days with the improvement in technology, X-ray dosage are ridiculously small and most major health funds cover the cost, why would you not do it?
Superannuation is a savings plan designed to help individuals save for retirement. In certain circumstances, such as chronic or acute dental conditions not covered by the public health system, Superannuation funds can be accessed early to cover dental treatment costs.
The process typically takes 14-28 days once all necessary documentation, including medical reports, is submitted to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
Eligible treatments generally include those considered emergencies or critical, such as dental implants, root canal surgeries, dental crowns, and periodontics.
You need medical reports from two dental practitioners detailing the chronic or acute nature of the dental condition and the necessity for treatment.
Yes, Superannuation funds can be used to cover dental treatments for family members, including spouses and children, provided the conditions for early release are met.
Yes, risks include potential financial penalties for illegal withdrawals and reduced funds for future retirement, which could affect long-term financial stability.
You can withdraw the amount needed for the dental procedure, provided you meet the eligibility criteria and have sufficient balance in your Super fund.
No, the early release of Superannuation funds takes 14-28 days to process, and there is no option for immediate release.
If accessed based on financial hardship, the withdrawn amount is taxed as a lump sum. Failure to repay may affect tax implications but does not impact other privileges unless specified otherwise.
You can apply through your myGov account or physically via the Australian Taxation Office. The application must include medical reports validating the necessity of the treatment due to acute or chronic pain not covered by the public health system.