FAQs: Your Questions Answered
At Attadale Dental Centre, we believe that an informed patient is a confident one. We’ve compiled answers to some of the most common questions we receive about appointments, treatments, and what to expect at our Perth practice.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Our friendly team in Attadale is always happy to help. Give us a call or contact us online.
What is the most important dental visit?
Your initial consultation should be the most important visit to any dentist. At Attadale Dental Centre, we never want this appointment to feel rushed. We take the time to understand your concerns, carefully assess your dental health and explain what we find. We’ll discuss what needs attention, what may simply need monitoring and the treatment options available, so you can make informed decisions about your care.
I’m nervous or anxious about going to the dentist. Can you help?
Absolutely. Dental anxiety is very common, and we understand that everyone feels differently about visiting the dentist. Some people are mildly nervous, while others may have avoided dental care for many years because of anxiety or a previous experience.
We can take things at a pace you are comfortable with, explain what is happening before we do anything and give you plenty of opportunity to ask questions or take a break. Where appropriate, we also have relaxation and sedation options to help make treatment more comfortable.
Will dental treatment be painful?
Our aim is to make your dental treatment as comfortable as possible. Modern local anaesthetic and dental techniques allow most procedures to be carried out very comfortably. If you are worried about discomfort or dental treatment, please tell us, there are often ways we can make the experience easier for you.
When should I start taking my child to the dentist?
We encourage children to become familiar with the dentist from an early age, ideally when their first tooth appears or by around their first birthday. Early visits are usually simple and relaxed, helping your child become comfortable with the dental environment while giving us an opportunity to discuss brushing, diet and healthy dental habits with parents. This is also the current recommendation of the Australian Dental Association.
Bringing young children along to a parent’s appointment can also be a great way for them to become familiar with us before they need any treatment themselves.
Are dental X-rays safe during pregnancy?
Dental X-rays use very low levels of radiation and, when clinically necessary, can be taken during pregnancy. We only recommend dental X-rays when they provide information that is important for your diagnosis or treatment, and we take appropriate measures to minimise radiation exposure. Please let us know if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant so we can take this into account when planning your car
Why don’t you just take the tooth out, as it would be cheaper?
It is indeed a lower cost to simply extract a tooth. However, this will often create other problems in the future. It would be more costly to fill up the gap with an implant or a bridge.
Treating the problem may end up being cheaper than replacing the tooth with a bridge or implant.
Do you see patients from regional WA, interstate or overseas?
Yes. We regularly welcome patients travelling to Perth from across regional WA, including Bunbury, Busselton, Margaret River, Albany, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Esperance and Northam. Our patients also travel to us from interstate and overseas, so we understand that your time in Perth may be limited and appointments often need to be carefully planned around your travel arrangements.
Where possible, we coordinate appointments efficiently and try to minimise unnecessary return visits. For suitable cases, our same-day CEREC technology may also allow certain ceramic restorations to be completed in a single visit.
Will I know the cost of my treatment before I start?
Wherever possible, yes. We believe you should understand both the treatment being recommended and the associated costs before making a decision. We will explain your treatment options and fees, and can provide an on-the-spot HICAPS quote for larger treatments.
How can I keep my dental costs down?
We cannot emphasise enough that the key to minimising your dental costs is to ensure you maintain your regular check-ups and clean every six months. This will ensure early detections of any tooth problems in the early stage, reducing the need for extensive dental care.
How much does a dental crown cost?
The cost of a dental crown can vary depending on the tooth, its condition, the type of restoration required and the complexity of treatment. We prefer to assess the tooth first because a crown is not necessarily the only option in every situation. Where appropriate, we can also discuss more conservative alternatives such as bonded restorations or onlays.
If a crown is recommended, we will discuss the available options and for suitable cases, our CEREC technology allows us to make high-quality ceramic restorations on site in a single visit.
How much does a scale and clean cost?
The cost depends on the health of your teeth and gums and the type of care you need. For most patients, a routine scale and clean is appropriate; others may need more comprehensive periodontal treatment if there is gum disease present.
We will assess your gums and explain what type of cleaning is appropriate for you. You are also welcome to contact our friendly reception team for information about our current fees.
How much will my health fund rebate?
Health fund rebates vary considerably between insurers, policies and levels of cover, so unfortunately we cannot tell you over the phone exactly what your fund will reimburse.
Where treatment is planned, we can provide an on-the-spot HICAPS quote so you know your expected rebate and out-of-pocket cost.
I’ve been recommended extensive dental treatment. Should I get a second opinion?
If you have been recommended extensive dental treatment and feel uncertain about it, seeking a second opinion is completely reasonable. This might include being advised to have several crowns, multiple implants, root canal treatment, replacement of a number of existing fillings, extraction of teeth or a treatment plan that is much larger than you expected.
A different opinion does not necessarily mean that the first dentist was wrong, there can be more than one reasonable way to manage a dental problem. We will assess your situation independently, explain what we find, discuss what needs attention and whether there are reasonable alternatives, including monitoring or a less invasive approach where appropriate.
The aim is simply to give you enough information to make a decision you feel comfortable with.
How do I know if I’m being overcharged for dental treatment?
Dental fees can vary between practices, and a higher or lower fee on its own does not necessarily tell you whether you are being overcharged. Different treatment approaches, materials, complexity and the time involved can all affect the cost.
What is important is that you understand what treatment is being recommended, why it is needed, what reasonable alternatives are available and what it will cost. If you have received a treatment plan and are unsure about either the treatment or the fees, we are happy to provide an independent second opinion and help you better understand your options.
Can I bring my existing X-rays, scans or treatment plan for a second opinion?
Yes, please do. Existing dental X-rays, scans, photographs and treatment plans can provide useful information. Where possible, please send this to us prior to your appointment.
We will review the information alongside our own clinical examination.
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