Frequently Asked Questions
Find clear, honest answers regarding check-ups, emergency toothache relief, fees, VGDS and VEDS vouchers, CDBS, and health insurance claiming.
Looking for Dentures, Relines, or Denture Repairs?
Oak Park Dental Clinic provides general dental care. Dedicated denture services are provided by our co-located partner practice.
General & Preventative Dentistry
Q:How often should I visit the dentist for a check-up and clean?
A: For most adults and children, we recommend a routine dental examination and professional scale and clean every six months. Regular visits allow us to remove hardened tartar (calculus), detect early decay before it causes pain, and monitor gum health.
Q:Why do my gums bleed when I brush or floss?
A: Bleeding gums are typically an early sign of gingivitis, caused by plaque buildup along the gumline. If treated early with a professional dental clean and improved flossing technique, gingivitis is completely reversible. Left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis, which damages the supporting bone around your teeth.
Q:What types of fillings do you use?
A: We primarily place tooth-coloured composite resin fillings that blend seamlessly with your natural tooth shade. Composite resin bonds directly to the tooth structure, restoring strength, function, and aesthetics without unsightly metal.
Q:Are dental X-rays safe?
A: Yes. We utilize modern low-dose digital radiography, which emits up to 80-90% less radiation than traditional film X-rays. Digital intraoral radiographs allow our dentists to detect decay between teeth, bone infections, and root complications that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Q:How can I treat bad breath (halitosis)?
A: Persistent bad breath is most commonly caused by bacteria trapped between teeth, on the tongue surface, or in periodontal pockets beneath the gums. A professional examination helps diagnose the cause and implement effective targeted oral hygiene solutions.
Emergency Dental & Toothache Relief
Q:What should I do if I have severe toothache?
A: A severe toothache indicates deep nerve inflammation or infection. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water, take over-the-counter pain relief (such as paracetamol or ibuprofen if medically suitable for you), avoid hot or cold extremes, and call Oak Park Dental Clinic immediately for same-day emergency triage.
Q:What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?
A: Hold the tooth by the crown (never touch the root). If clean, try to gently place it back into the socket. If that is not possible, store the tooth in cold milk or inside the patient's cheek (saliva) and see our emergency dentist within 30 to 60 minutes for the highest chance of saving the natural tooth.
Q:Do you offer same-day emergency dental appointments?
A: Yes. We reserve daily emergency slots specifically for patients suffering from acute toothache, facial swelling, cracked or broken teeth, and dental trauma across Oak Park, Pascoe Vale, Glenroy, and Moreland.
Q:What is root canal treatment, and is it painful?
A: Root canal therapy clears infected or inflamed pulp tissue from inside the root canals to save a severely compromised natural tooth from extraction. With modern local anaesthetics, root canal treatment is comfortable and feels very similar to having a routine filling placed — in fact, it relieves the intense pain caused by infection.
Q:When is a tooth extraction necessary?
A: We always prioritise preserving your natural teeth whenever clinically possible. However, if a tooth is fractured beyond repair, severely decayed beneath the gumline, or impacted and causing chronic infection, a gentle extraction with modern anaesthesia may be the healthiest option.
Victorian Dental Schemes (VGDS & VEDS) & CDBS
Q:What is the Victorian General Dental Scheme (VGDS)?
A: The Victorian General Dental Scheme (VGDS) is a Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV) public voucher program. Eligible Health Care Card and Pensioner Concession Card holders who are triaged at community dental clinics (such as Merri Health or DPV Health) can receive a VGDS voucher to redeem routine care, fillings, and restorative treatments at approved private dental clinics like Oak Park Dental Clinic.
Q:What is the Victorian Emergency Dental Scheme (VEDS)?
A: The Victorian Emergency Dental Scheme (VEDS) is designed specifically for urgent pain relief, acute dental trauma, and severe dental infections. If you hold a concession card and are triaged through a public community clinic, you may be issued a VEDS emergency voucher for prompt treatment at Oak Park Dental Clinic.
Q:What is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)?
A: CDBS is a federal Medicare program providing up to $1,158 over two consecutive calendar years for eligible children aged 0 to 17. It covers check-ups, X-rays, cleans, fluoride treatments, fissure sealants, fillings, and extractions. At Oak Park Dental Clinic, eligible CDBS care is bulk billed with zero out-of-pocket costs.
Q:Do you accept Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) cards?
A: Yes. We are registered DVA dental care providers. DVA Gold Card holders receive comprehensive dental care with $0 out-of-pocket expenses under DVA dental schedules. White Card holders are also covered for accepted service-related conditions.
Fees, Consultations & Health Funds
Q:How much does a dental consultation cost?
A: A comprehensive dental examination and consultation at Oak Park Dental Clinic is $75 to $95. We examine your teeth, gums, and oral tissues, explain any findings in detail, and provide an itemised written quote for any recommended treatments.
Q:Can I claim my appointment on private health insurance?
A: Yes. We provide on-the-spot HICAPS electronic claiming for all major Australian health funds, including Bupa, Medibank, HCF, NIB, CBHS, Teachers Health, and Australian Unity. You only pay the remaining gap.
Q:Do you offer payment plans for larger dental treatments?
A: Yes. For treatments such as crowns, multiple fillings, or root canal therapy, we offer flexible interest-free payment plan options so you can receive the care you need without delay.
Q:Will I know how much my treatment costs before starting?
A: Always. We follow a strict policy of upfront transparency. Before commencing any non-emergency procedure, you receive a detailed, itemised written treatment plan with ADA item codes, fee breakdowns, and estimated out-of-pocket costs.
Denture Inquiries & On-Site Lab Referral
Q:Do you make dentures at Oak Park Dental Clinic?
A: Oak Park Dental Clinic focuses on comprehensive family, emergency, and restorative dentistry (teeth preservation, fillings, extractions, crowns). For patients requiring complete or partial removable dentures, relines, or denture repairs, we collaborate directly with our co-located partner practice, Oak Park Denture Clinic, which features a dedicated on-site laboratory.
Q:Where should I go for same-day denture repairs or new dentures?
A: For denture-specific care, visit Oak Park Denture Clinic (located at the same premises or online at oakpark-dentureclinic.com.au). They accept the Victorian Denture Scheme (VDS), DVA Gold Cards, and private health funds for custom prosthetic work.
Inclusive Care for
Every Culture.
We believe everyone deserves expert dental care in their own language. Our clinic proudly supports Melbourne's diverse northern suburbs with multilingual resources and a welcoming environment for all.
Have a Specific Dental Question?
Our caring dental team is here to help with questions about tooth pain, routine exams, or public dental voucher redemptions. Call us or book your consultation today.