A. Patients who are not eligible for free dental care in public sector dental clinics in Queensland
These patients pay fees for all parts of their treatment. Typically, these fees are much less than those used in private practice. Set fees apply for the initial examination and then for complex procedures which involve multiple visits and laboratory work, such as endodontics (root canal treatment), periodontal maintenance, crowns, bridges, cast posts, dentures and related items. The set fee covers the multiple visits involved, and must be paid in full before the laboratory component of the work can be completed. The set fee for the initial phase of care (the examination and treatment plan), which may require one or more appointments, includes any X-rays taken.
A set fee of $ 30.00 applies for all other appointments for routine dental care, and this is due at the time of the appointment. This fee is fixed and does not relate to the length of the appointment, or the number of procedures performed during the appointment. In the situation where the only treatment undertaken in an appointment has been a filling, and this has been commenced but has not been completed (a temporary filling may have been placed), the normal per-visit fee will be waived.
B. Patients with a Health Care Card
Clinical work undertaken by undergraduate students on patients who are eligible for free dental care in the public sector (e.g. with a Health Care Card) is subject to special arrangements. In the undergraduate clinics, approximately 60 per cent of patients are in this category. Fees are not charged to patients with Health Care Cards, Pensioner Benefit cards, or other cards which give entitlement to free dental treatment in public dental clinics in Queensland since their treatment by undergraduate students is subsidized fully under the terms of a service agreement between the School and Queensland Health.
Bookmarks