Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
ABOUT OUR PRACTICE
Q: Are you accepting new patients?
A: Absolutely – we welcome new patients at Northbridge Dentists. Whether you’re looking for a regular check-up or more complex treatment, you’re very welcome. Please call us on (02) 9958 7530 or use our online booking tool to arrange your first visit.
Q: Where are you located and how do I get there?
A: We’re at Suite 1 / 173 Sailors Bay Road, Northbridge NSW 2063. Directly across the road from Northbridge Thai. We’re conveniently located with regular bus services outside and parking underneath the building with lift access.
Q: Is the clinic wheelchair accessible / suitable for prams, walkers etc?
A: Yes — the surgery has excellent accessibility and is at street level (no stairs). It also has underground parking with lift access, making us accessible for wheelchairs, prams, walkers and those with limited mobility.
Q: Do you have parking?
A: Yes – we have patient parking underneath the practice. It is located down the ramp, just next to the entrance to the practice. Entry to the ramp is from Sailors Bay Road.
Q: What are your opening hours?
A: Our regular hours are Monday to Friday (08:30–18:00) and Saturday mornings (08:00–13:00). If you have an urgent dental issue please call us and we’ll advise if we can fit you in or refer you appropriately.
Q: Do you accept private health insurance?
A: Yes — we accept all private health insurance cards with instant (HICAPS) claiming on the spot.
Q Do you accept DVA patients and Medicare children’s dental benefits?
A: Yes - we accept DVA (Veteran Affairs) patients as well as children covered under the Medicare government’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule.
Q: Can I book online?
A: Absolutely — you can use our online booking system or call us directly, especially if you have a specific time or dentist in mind.
Q: Do you do emergencies / after-hours care?
A: We aim to accommodate patients with urgent dental issues. While we’re not a 24-hour emergency clinic, we do keep slots for urgent treatment and will advise you on the best next steps when you call.
Q: What if I’m running late / need to cancel an appointment?
A: We kindly ask that you give us at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Late cancellations or missed appointments may incur a fee, since it prevents other patients from being seen. If you anticipate being late, please call us and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
Q: What should I bring to my first appointment?
A: When you come to your first visit, please bring:
A list of any medications you take (and related health conditions)
Your health fund card (if relevant)
Any DVA or Medicare benefit card (if applicable)
Your previous dental records or x-rays if you have them (helpful but not essential)
We'll do a thorough assessment and chat through your oral-health goals.
TREATMENTS AND CARE
Q: What kinds of services do you offer?
A: We provide a full spectrum of dental services for the whole family — including preventive care (check-ups, hygiene), restorative treatments (fillings, crowns & bridges), cosmetic dentistry (veneers, whitening), basic orthodontics (including Invisalign), dentures and implants restorations, paediatric dentistry, gum (periodontal) treatment, and appliances for grinding, snoring and sleep-apnoea.
Q: How often should I have a dental check-up?
A: A good general rule is every 6 months for most patients. However, your dentist may recommend more frequent visits depending on your oral health, any risk factors (for gum disease, decay, etc) and your personal needs.
Q: I’m nervous about seeing the dentist — do you cater to anxious patients?
A: Yes — we understand dental anxiety and will go out of our way to make you comfortable. We’ll talk you through what’s happening, give you time to ask questions, and tailor our approach. Please mention your anxiety when you book so we can prepare accordingly. We offer nitrous oxide gas to relax patients, and can tailor pre-medication as needed. In addition our ceiling TVs and open, light-filled garden-setting surgeries help put patients at ease.
Q: Do you perform sedation or comfort dentistry for very nervous or complex patients?
A: We can discuss appropriate sedation or comfort options depending on the treatment and your level of anxiety. Please mention your concerns at the time of booking so we can plan accordingly.
COST AND INSURANCE QUESTIONS
Q: What if I have private health insurance — how does that work at your practice?
A: We accept all major health funds. On the day of treatment we use HICAPS for on the spot claiming so you only pay the gap (if any) after your fund rebate.
Q: Do you offer payment plans or help with financing treatment?
A: Yes — we understand that some treatments may require larger investment. We offer flexible payment options for larger treatment plans and will discuss them with you as part of your treatment. Please ask our reception team for current options when you book.
Q: Does insurance cover cosmetic dentistry?
A: That depends on your level of cover and any policy inclusions/exclusions unique to your insurance policy. Sometimes we can check with the insurance company with a “quote” through our HICAPS machine (however you would have to be present at the surgery with your physical card and/or mobile phone, to enable this. We cannot do this online or over the phone).
Q: Do you offer reduced prices for kids and teens?
A: Absolutely. At the time of writing a simple check-up can be as low as $79. A full child check-up, polish and fluoride ranges from $195 for smaller kids through to around $260 for teens and kids who require a heavier clean or more complex check-up. Prices are total prices (before health fund rebate). Does not include x-rays if needed. Prices are ballpark figures and subject to change with time.
Q: How much is a check-up and clean?
A: For an adult, the total price for a standard check-up, clean and fluoride ranges from around $280-$330, depending on whether it is the first visit, or subsequent visit and depends on how heavy the clean required is (and how much time this takes). Prices are total prices (before health fund rebate). Does not include x-rays if needed. Prices are ballpark figures and subject to change with time.
Q: How much do fillings cost?
A: The short answer is a range – anywhere between $250 for small fillings up towards $495 for very large fillings. This is the total price before health fund rebate. The long answer is that it depends on the size of the filling (is it a tiny pit, or is it the majority of the tooth?), if anaesthetic is needed and what material is used. These prices are ballpark figures and prices are subject to change with time.
WHY CHOOSE US?
Q: What makes Northbridge Dentists different?
A: We understand that choosing a dentist is a very personal decision. So why should you choose Northbridge Dentists?
- Independence: Being an independent dentist means that nobody is dictating the treatment for our patients. No corporate master in Martin Place, no overseas multi-national pulling the strings. We are free to make the best treatment decisions for our patients.
- Ethics: We always give a range of treatment options and do not pressure patients into making a decision. It’s always their decision – after all, it’s their mouth!
- Trust: Northbridge Dentists have earned the trust of the community since it was established in 1920.
- Accountability: Unlike other dental clinics where dentists come and go, our dentists are established and long-standing. This means that they will be around to be held accountable for the dental work they perform.
- Community values: Being an independent, husband and wife team, Northbridge Dentists are part of the community, supporting the local progress organisations, grass-roots sports clubs and charity organisations.
- Experience: All of our dentists are Honours Graduates, trained in Australia with over a decade of private practice experience.
- Relationships: Northbridge Dentists are able to foster long-term relationship beyond just fixing teeth and gums. We love getting to know the people behind the mouth!
- Quality: Northbridge Dentists uses the highest quality materials and local labs to ensure the best quality treatment.
- Green practice: Northbridge Dentists have been recycling oral health waste for almost a decade and has saved many Kilograms of toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes from ending up in landfill.
- Relaxing environment: Our clinics are unique, looking onto a North-facing, bright, garden setting. This instantly helps to put nervous patients at ease.
- Accessibility: Located at ground level, our premises are accessible, with large treatment rooms that are pram, walker and wheelchair friendly. Lift access and disabled parking are also present.
- Convenience: With convenient online bookings, on-site parking, nearby bus stops and a central location in Northbridge, we are easy to book and travel to.
Q: Why should I NOT choose Northbridge Dentists?
A: There are a number of reasons not to choose us:
- You want fast dentistry: If you are after hasty, superficial, express dentistry (15 minute check-up and cleans), our practice is not the right fit for you.
- You want treatment you don’t need: If you ask for veneers, but we deem you are not a suitable candidate for veneers, then we will not perform that treatment for you – not matter how much you want it.
- You like an inconsistent line-up of dentists: If you want to see a different dentist every single time, this is not the right practice for you.
- You want to use your superannuation to pay for treatment: We do not engage in utilizing people’s superannuation to pay for their dentistry unless it is a genuine emergency situation.
OTHER INTERESTING QUESTIONS
Q: How do I choose a good dentist?
Dr David Vickers with family after graduating from Dentistry at the University of Sydney
A: It can be quite difficult to determine if a dentist is good. Of course it can be useful to ask friends and family members for their recommendations. Generally, looking at a dentists’ experience (how long they have been practicing), where they trained and their general treatment philosophy can be helpful in determining whether they would be a good fit for you. Checking how long the clinic has been established is also helpful. Clinics who don’t look after their patients will not last long. Conversely, long-established clinics (like Northbridge Dentists) must be doing something right, otherwise they wouldn’t still be around! Checking online reviews can also be helpful to see if there are any common themes about the practice.
Q: Why is dentistry in Australia expensive?
A: Compared to many developed countries (like the USA and Switzerland), dentistry in Australia is actually less expensive. In addition, when adjusted for inflation, dentistry is actually more affordable now than it was 20-30 years ago. That being said, dentistry still seems more expensive in Australia, compared with many other countries. So why is that?
- High establishment cost: Providing dental care requires a significant up-front investment in high-value equipment. The typical cost to fit-out and equip, even a basic “single chair” dental practice with a dental chair, dental tools and dental equipment, suction motor, compressor, sterilizing machinery, radiography equipment and processors, cabinetry, plumbing, electricals and other business red tape is well in excess of $500,000. This often doesn’t include more high-tech equipment such as intra-oral scanners, 3D printers/millers and cone-beam CT x-ray machines. Most dentists take on debt (with interest) to service this. This fit-out is required before even earning a single cent.
- High operating costs: Staff costs in Australia are significant. Ordinarily for each patient, there must be a dentist, dental assistant, receptionist and sometimes a hygienist. That’s the salary of up to four people, for each patient treated. Australia has some of the highest wage, entitlements and superannuation requirements on the planet, and dentistry is extremely labour-intensive. In addition there are numerous individual costs like sterilisation for each patient, and other ongoing costs like rent, IT and software support costs, utility costs (phone, SMS, electricity, gas, internet etc). Staff and rent costs tend to be higher in expensive places like Sydney.
- High cost of education: At the time of writing, the total full-fee cost for a postgraduate course (Like Sydney University and Melbourne University) is as high as $417,616 for 2026 entry (source: University of Melbourne website). This is a postgraduate course, meaning you would already have undertaken at least three years of undergraduate study (in excess of the above figure). Even undergraduate dental degrees like Griffith University charge over $180,000 for a HECS supported place. This means that some students will graduate with significant university debt (not including interest), not to mention jumping through the strenuous academic hoops of finishing with a high ATAR, passing UCAT/GAMSAT and other medical entrance exams, any moving and living costs, additional course material costs, whilst studying and sacrificing 5-7 years of their potential working lives (and income). This has a snowballing effect in delaying entering the ever-rising housing market whilst paying off extra debt with interest. Many people are shocked to learn this. Understandably, dentists must be able to earn enough to make this a worthwhile sacrifice. Whether or not it is, is becoming increasingly questionable.
- Poor insurance reimbursement and minimal government funding: As dentistry is excluded from Medicare (except for a small subset of the eligible population) the cost is largely borne by the patient. In addition, private insurance reimbursement levels have not kept pace with the increased costs in providing dentistry.
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