Victoria's public dental system

Page content: Overview | Children | Adults | Specialist & special needs services | Concerns with public dental care

Overview

Public dental services are provided through community dental clinics in community health centres and hospitals and at school dental clinics.

Children

Preschool and primary school aged children and dependents of health care or pensioner concession card holders in year 7 and 8 or 14 – 15 year olds who have left formal schooling have priority access to public dental services. The service is free for children that are dependents of a health care or pensioner concession card holder and children in residential care provided by the Office for Children or $28 for a course of care per child for other families (maximum of $112 per family).

Preschool aged children can visit any community dental clinic for priority access by appointment. Visit our locations page to find your nearest clinic.

Further information about dental care for primary school aged children can be found by contacting the School Dental Service on 1300 360 054 or 1800 833 039 (country areas only) or by visiting the Dental Health Services Victoria website.

Students in years 9 – 12 or 14 – 18 year olds who have left formal schooling have priority access to public dental services if they are dependents of a health care or pensioner concession card holder or are holders of a health care card. Young people up to 18 years of age in residential care provided by the Office for Children also have priority access. There is no copayment required. Visit our locations page to find your nearest clinic.

Adults

Health care and pensioner concession card holders and their dependants over the age of 18 are eligible for public dental and denture services. The service costs $23 per visit, up to a maximum of $92 for a complete course of care. Dentures will generally cost around $115. To place your name on a waiting list contact a community dental clinic. Visit our locations page to find your nearest clinic.

Specialist & special needs services

Specialist services are provided at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne. You must be referred to this service by a public dental clinic. The copayment required varies based on your treatment needs.

There are also programs for people with special needs at certain community clinics.

For more information on public dental services in Victoria visit the Dental Health Services Victoria website.

Concerns with public dental care

If you have concerns about the dental care you receive you should first discuss this with the complaints or practice manager at the community or school dental clinic. If the matter is still unresolved, the Health Services Commissioner helps people to make their concerns known to health service providers and assists in resolving complaints. The service is free and confidential and can be reached by:
Telephone: 8601 5200 or toll free on 1800 136 066
Email: hsc@dhs.vic.gov.au
Mail: Health Services Commissioner, 30th Floor, 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne, 3000

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