As a nation, we Kiwis are pretty bad at visiting the dentist. The annual New Zealand Health Survey shows that many of us do not routinely go to the dentist. The figures make for quite worrying reading:
- 49.7 per cent surveyed had visited a dentist in the past 12 months
- Nearly a quarter of a million people had a tooth pulled
- 53 per cent said they only went to the dentist when they had a problem
- Men were less likely to have gone than women. Maori were less likely to have gone than Pakeha. Pacific Island people were even less likely to have gone. Asians were less likely to have gone than Pacific Islanders
- 76 per cent of people who live in “high-deprivation” areas only visited the dentist in emergencies
Looking after the kids
Encouragingly, 84 per cent of children aged 14 or younger visited the dentist, and it’s worth remembering that kids under 18 do not have to pay for standard treatments – from routine examinations to check teeth for decay, to extraction of teeth. If your child does need extra treatments, you’ll be referred to another oral health service provider. While many treatments are free, you will need to pay for some work, such as orthodontics (this includes braces on teeth).
To enrol your child in the free dental service call 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583) and they will advise you on the relevant forms to complete.
Can ACC help?
If you need dental treatment because of an accident or injury, ACC will help with the cost. Your dentist can help you fill out a claim form. To find out more information visit http://www.acc.co.nz/
It’s a big job
But what about the rest of us who don’t meet the criteria for free or subsidised dental treatment? Well, start looking after your gnashers, because if anything goes wrong, it’s going to be costly.
In New Zealand, we have to pay privately for the majority of adult dental services. It pays to shop around before committing to a dentist as there are no fixed fees or fee structures for private dentists. Ask for quotes for whatever work needs to be undertaken from at least one other dental practice.
If you do need to open wide, the New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) has published the results of its March 2013 survey of fees, summarising responses from more than 400 dentists. Half of these dentists charged between $50 and $80 just to examine your teeth. An examination with x-rays will typically add $30 to the fee.
Here’s a breakdown of what it costs to fix common problems:
| Treatment | Fees ($) | ||
| Lower | Midpoint | Upper | |
| Basic maintenance | |||
| Hygienist (30 minutes) | 80 | 92 | 115 |
| Dentist: Examination only | 50 | 65 | 80 |
| Dentist: Examination, x-rays | 80 | 95 | 110 |
| Dentist: Examination, scale and polish | 88 | 105 | 125 |
| Dentist: Examination, x-rays, scale and polish | 110 | 135 | 165 |
| Fillings | |||
| Amalgam filling, 1 surface | 110 | 140 | 170 |
| Composite filling, 1 surface | 130 | 160 | 190 |
| Amalgam filling, 2 surfaces | 155 | 180 | 220 |
| Appearance | |||
| Porcelain veneer | 988 | 1200 | 1324 |
| Composite crown | 280 | 350 | 433 |
| Porcelain crown (porcelain fused to metal – PFM) | 1200 | 1273 | 1400 |
| Ceramic crown | 1200 | 1300 | 1495 |
Fees are from a national survey conducted by the New Zealand Dental Association in March 2013. The survey asked about “standard” (no complications) fees. GST is included.
Over 50s – a word of warning
And in case you’re one of those lucky people who are able to say “I’ve never had a problem with my teeth all my life,” then take note. Adults over 50 need to be mindful of the possibility that a visit to the dentist may result in a large extraction from their wallet or purse. Oral conditions that are more common in the second half of life include dry mouth, tooth decay on the root surfaces of teeth, gum disease, tooth wear and tooth sensitivity.
Payment options
Unless you have access to your own tooth fairy, be aware that dental treatment is expensive, and many people just don’t have the funds to pay on the day. While some dentists do offer payment options which are spread out, these are not always straight-forward. Often you are required to sign up to a third party credit scheme and interest rates on repayments can be exorbitant. If you decide to go down this route, always read the small print.
If you need finance for dental work, then consider calling Yes Finance, the bank alternative. With a structured repayment loan schedule, fixed interest rates that are competitive, and the ability to draw down money as and when you need it, Yes Finance makes paying hefty dentist bills stress-free.
Apply online or call the Yes finance team on: 0508 10 50 10. That should put a smile on your face!
