Routine
Check-ups and cleans, every six months.
The cheapest dentistry is the dentistry you don't end up needing. A six-monthly check-up and clean catches issues before they become bigger and more expensive problems.
What's included
A standard check-up-and-clean visit at Oracare covers:
- Comprehensive examination — visual check of every tooth, your gums, your bite and the soft tissues of your mouth. We're looking for early signs of decay, gum disease, wear, fractures, and oral-health concerns more broadly.
- X-rays where indicated — bitewing X-rays every 12–24 months (depending on your decay risk) to catch interproximal decay that's not visible on the surface. An OPG occasionally for a wider view.
- Scale and clean — plaque and tartar removal above and below the gumline, polishing for surface stain.
- Fluoride application — for adult and paediatric patients with elevated decay risk.
- Oral hygiene instruction — anything specific to your mouth that we've noticed (areas you're missing when brushing, flossing technique, mouthwash choice).
- Treatment plan if needed — if we find something that needs work (a cavity, a worn restoration, a gum issue), we explain it, quote it in writing, and book it separately. No pressure at the chair — you decide what to proceed with and when.
For children under 13 with fissure sealants in their molars — the thin plastic coating that protects the chewing surfaces — we check and re-apply as needed.
Why every six months?
Six months is the rhythm at which most dental problems are still small enough to catch cheaply. A cavity caught at six months is a small filling. The same cavity caught a year or two later is often a larger filling, a crown, or a root canal — multiples of the cost and chair time.
There are exceptions. Some patients with low decay risk and excellent home care do well on a 12-month rhythm. Some patients with high decay risk, gum disease history, or specific medical conditions benefit from 3–4 month intervals. We'll discuss your recall interval based on what we find at your first visit, not a one-size-fits-all rule.
What to expect
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Step 1
Arrival and update. We confirm your medical history and any changes since your last visit — new medications, recent dental work elsewhere, anything that's been concerning you. Front desk processes your health-fund card via HICAPS so the rebate is sorted before you sit down.
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Step 2
Exam, X-rays, clean. The clinician examines your teeth, gums and soft tissues, takes any X-rays needed, and performs the scale-and-clean. We talk you through anything we notice as we go — no surprise findings at the end of the visit.
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Step 3
Outcomes + next visit. If everything's clean, we book your next check-up six months out (or sooner if your case calls for it). If we've found something that needs work, we explain it, write up a quote, and you decide whether to book the follow-up now or after thinking it through.
The whole visit usually runs 30–45 minutes.
Common questions
How much is a check-up and clean?
For patients with health-fund cover, a check-up and clean is typically no gap — we claim your rebate at the chair via HICAPS. We're preferred providers for NIB and TUH. For patients without cover, a check-up and clean is $179 flat. We'll check your level of cover before treatment so there are no surprises. Any further treatment is quoted separately, in writing, before it begins.
How often should I have a check-up and clean?
Six months is the industry-standard rhythm and works for most patients — regular visits help us catch issues like cavities and gum disease early. Some patients benefit from more frequent visits (every 3–4 months) because of high decay risk or gum disease history; some do well on a 12-month rhythm. We'll discuss what's right for you at your first visit.
It's been a few years since my last visit — is that OK?
Yes. Most of our long-gap patients tell us they were worried about being judged, but we're not in that business. We'll do the same comprehensive exam, talk through what we find, and you decide where you want to go from here. There's no penalty for taking time off; the only thing we'd say is that catching things now is better than another year of waiting.
Do you see children?
Yes. We see patients of all ages and aim to make children's visits positive and comfortable. We recommend a first visit by age two for early familiarisation, then 6-monthly visits from when they're confident in the chair. Children eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) are bulk-billed for covered services — we'll check eligibility at booking.
What if you find something that needs treatment?
We explain what we've found, show you the X-ray or photo if useful, and tell you what the options are. You get a quote in writing — no decisions at the chair. Some patients book the follow-up before they leave; some go home and think about it. Both are fine.
Are X-rays safe?
Dental X-rays use very low doses of radiation — a full set of bitewings is roughly equivalent to a few days of natural background radiation. We only take X-rays when they're clinically indicated, and we use digital sensors which require less radiation than older film. Pregnant patients can defer non-urgent X-rays; let us know if you're pregnant or trying to conceive.
Does the clean hurt?
For most patients, no — it's pressure and some scraping but not painful. If you have sensitivity, gum recession, or it's been a while since your last clean (tartar build-up gets harder to remove), we can apply topical anaesthetic or break the clean into two visits to keep you comfortable. Mention it at booking and we'll plan around it.
Cost & funding
$179 flat for patients without health-fund cover. Typically no gap for eligible health-fund members. We process health-fund claims at the chair via HICAPS, and we'll check your level of cover before treatment so there are no surprises. Preferred providers for NIB and TUH. Any treatment beyond the check-up is quoted separately, in writing, before it starts. Full detail on Payment options.
Related services
Due for a check-up?
Six months goes faster than you think. Book online or call to chat first.