Community Dental Clinics provide eligible adults with a range of general and emergency dental services. Adults (or their adult dependents) with a current Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card or Health Care Card are eligible to receive Community Dental Clinic Services. Waiting lists apply.
General Dental Care
Our clinics provide a range of general dental services for eligible adults with natural teeth or dentures. In some cases, patients may be offered authorisation to receive care from a private dentist through the General Dental Scheme, Emergency Dental Scheme, or Pensioner Denture Scheme. Patients must have authorisation from the community dental clinic staff to access these schemes.
Emergency Dental Care
SA Dental Service provides emergency dental services for eligible adults. In a dental emergency, during business hours please contact your local clinic. Staff will identify your treatment needs by asking a series of questions. Patients with urgent needs will receive priority access, while others may be offered a place on the general waiting list or alternative care options will be suggested.
After hours, call healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222 for advice on further care options.
To find the clinic closest to you, go to our Home Page and click on “Find a Clinic“ in the “Quick Find“ box.
Cost of Treatment
All Community Dental Service patients are required to make a contribution to the cost of their care (known as a copayment). The cost of copayment is the same, regardless of where treatment is provided. If emergency dentures or denture repairs are required, an additional copayment will apply.
Our staff will discuss copayments with patients before starting treatment, and detailed information brochures are also available at our clinics.
For more information about a copayment, please click on the following links
Copayments for adult public dental care (PDF)
Copayments for Adult Dental Service from 1 July 2012 (PDF)
Making an Appointment
To make an appointment, contact your local Community Dental Service. Please note that waiting lists apply, and patients should bring their concession card to all appointments.
Department of Veteran Affairs Card holders may be eligible for treatment with Veteran Dental Services. Contact the Department of Veteran Affairs 133 254 information line.
Dentures
A number of programs are in place to assist patients with dentures.
Denture services in the Adelaide metropolitan area are provided at designated denture clinics, currently located in Regency Park, Salisbury, Gilles Plains, Noarlunga and Somerton Park. Country denture services are generally provided by a private dentist, through referral by the Pensioner Denture Scheme. Contact your clinic for details.
Waiting times and copayments apply for all denture-related treatment and repairs. Our staff will discuss copayments with you before denture work begins.
Denture repairs
Patients need a Pensioner Denture Scheme authorisation form to access denture repairs, which provides the information needed to access denture repairs. Forms are issued from our metropolitan denture clinics (see above). Country patients should contact their local dental clinic for details.
General Information
Paying for treatment
Community Dental Clinics accept cash, cheque or money order. Please note that credit card and EFTPOS payments are accepted only at the Adelaide Dental Hospital.
Payment options at private dental providers vary - ask about payment before your first visit.
If you are in severe financial hardship, please speak to our staff about your options. Emergency care will not be withheld. Speak to a financial counsellor for a letter of support.
Private Health Funds and Medicare
Patients with private dental cover can access care directly from a private provider. Patients with private dental cover but choosing public care should ask their fund if the cost of treatment at a government dental clinic is covered.
Medicare does not cover the cost of dental treatment. Eligible patients with chronic medical conditions complicated by dental problems may be eligible for enhanced access. Contact your local clinic for details.
Interpreter Services
Interpreters are available through our clinics. Staff can arrange for an interpreter to contact you or be present at your appointment.
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