There’s no single emergency dentist cost, because the fee depends on what’s wrong and what needs to be done on the day. Most visits start with an examination and X-rays, followed by treatment to relieve pain or stabilise the tooth. Any further treatment should be explained and quoted before it begins, and extras cover may pay part of the bill.
This guide explains the main cost drivers so you know what to expect. If you’re still deciding whether your problem is urgent, see what counts as a dental emergency.
Don’t let cost delay urgent medical care
Some symptoms need a hospital, not a dental clinic. Call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department if you have:
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- swelling spreading to the eye, neck or floor of the mouth
- bleeding that won’t stop after 15–20 minutes of firm pressure
- a possible broken jaw
- a knock to the head with loss of consciousness, vomiting or confusion
Public hospital emergency departments don’t charge Medicare-eligible patients for treatment. Out of hours, you can also call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for free 24/7 nurse advice.
What makes up the emergency dentist cost?
The examination
An emergency visit usually starts with a focused examination of the problem area rather than a full check-up. Your dentist will ask about your symptoms and medical history, look at the tooth and gums, and may test how the tooth responds to cold or tapping.
X-rays
X-rays show what can’t be seen by eye, such as decay under a filling, infection at the root tip or a fracture. Each image is usually charged separately, so the number needed will affect the total.
Treatment on the day
The biggest variable is what’s needed to get you out of pain. Depending on the problem, this could be:
- smoothing a sharp edge or placing a temporary filling
- draining an abscess
- starting root canal therapy to relieve pressure on an inflamed nerve
- removing a tooth that can’t be saved
- splinting a loose or knocked-out tooth
- re-cementing a crown that has come off
Complexity
Two people with the same symptom can need very different care. A back molar with several root canals takes longer to treat than a front tooth, and a broken or impacted wisdom tooth may need a surgical extraction. The number of teeth involved and whether you’d like happy gas to help you relax can also change the fee.
Business hours or after hours
Clinics that open late at night, on weekends or on public holidays may charge higher fees for those appointments. Our North Sydney practice sees urgent patients during our normal opening hours, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. Call our emergency dentist in North Sydney and we aim to see urgent problems as soon as possible, often on the same day.
How health funds and extras cover work
Hospital cover alone doesn’t usually pay for dental treatment in a clinic. If you have extras (general treatment) cover that includes dental, your fund may pay a benefit towards eligible items. The amount you pay yourself is called the gap.
How much you get back depends on your level of cover, your annual limits, how much you’ve already claimed this year and any waiting periods. Waiting periods for major dental, such as crowns and root canal therapy, are often longer than for general dental. If your fund allows it, you may be able to claim part of the cost on the spot.
Preferred provider arrangements
We are a preferred provider for Bupa Members First, Medibank Members’ Choice and nib First Choice. Members of these funds may have lower out-of-pocket costs for eligible services, depending on their cover. Check the details with your fund.
Item numbers help you check
Every dental service has an item number from the Australian Schedule of Dental Services and Glossary. For example, 013 is a limited examination and 022 is an intraoral X-ray, charged per image. Your fund can tell you what it pays for each item on your policy.
Does Medicare cover emergency dental?
Medicare generally doesn’t cover dental treatment for adults at a private dental practice. There are some limited government-funded dental schemes, for example for some children and concession card holders. Check your eligibility with the relevant program before your visit, and ask us whether it can be used at our practice.
Written quotes and payment options
Once the urgent problem is under control, your dentist will explain your options for longer-term treatment, including the benefits, risks and costs of each. Before any further treatment, you can ask for a written, itemised quote to check with your health fund. You don’t have to decide on the spot, and you’re welcome to seek a second opinion.
For an idea of our general fees, see our price guide. If you need more extensive treatment, ask about our payment plans, which let you spread the cost over time.
Why delaying care can cost more
Putting off a visit can seem like a way to save money, but dental problems rarely get better on their own. A small area of decay that could be fixed with a filling may reach the nerve over time, and then need root canal therapy and a crown, or an extraction and a replacement tooth. An untreated infection may also need more appointments and medication, and can lead to time off work.
Tips for keeping costs manageable
- Call ahead and describe your symptoms so we can plan the right appointment.
- Bring your health fund card and ask your fund about your remaining annual limits.
- Ask what’s included before treatment starts, and request item numbers for any quote.
- Ask whether larger treatment can be staged over several visits.
- Keep up regular check-ups, as problems found early are usually simpler to treat.
Frequently asked questions
Does private health insurance cover an emergency dentist visit?
Extras cover that includes general dental may pay part of an emergency visit, such as the examination and X-rays. What you get back depends on your policy, annual limits and waiting periods, so check with your fund.
Does Medicare pay for emergency dental treatment?
Medicare generally doesn’t cover dental treatment for adults at a private practice. Some limited government-funded schemes exist, so check your eligibility before your appointment.
Will I know the cost before treatment starts?
Your dentist will explain the treatment needed and its cost before going ahead. For further treatment after the emergency is under control, you can ask for a written, itemised quote.
Is it cheaper to go to hospital for a toothache?
Public hospital emergency departments are for serious symptoms such as spreading swelling or trouble breathing. They can manage pain and infection but don’t usually repair the tooth, so you will still need to see a dentist.
Need help now?
North Sydney Dentistry is at Level 1, Suite 102/71 Walker St, North Sydney, a two-minute walk from North Sydney station. We’re open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, and keep time aside for urgent problems where we can. Call (02) 8090 1108 or book online.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for advice from your own dentist or doctor. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
