The question everyone wants answered before booking a dental appointment is simple: what will I actually pay?
The honest answer is “it depends” — on your health fund, your level of cover, and what treatment you need. But “it depends” isn’t helpful. So here are four realistic scenarios using our actual fee schedule, showing what patients in different situations can expect to pay at our practice.
All scenarios below are fictional examples for illustrative purposes only. Dollar amounts shown are approximate and based on typical benefit levels at the time of writing — they are not guaranteed. Your actual out-of-pocket cost depends on your specific level of cover, policy tier, annual limits, waiting periods, and the services provided. Always confirm your gap with your health fund or at the HICAPS terminal before treatment.
Scenario 1: Bupa member — routine check-up finds a small cavity
The situation: A Bupa member from Parafield Gardens books a routine check-up and clean. Everything looks healthy except one small cavity on a back tooth that needs a filling.
The check-up and clean:
| Service | Our fee | What happens at Bupa Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Examination | $72 | Typically no gap |
| Scale and clean | $147 | Typically no gap |
| Fluoride treatment | $40 | Typically no gap |
| X-rays (2 films) | $112 | Typically no gap |
| Subtotal | $371 | Typically $0 out of pocket |
Smile Spot is a Bupa Members First Platinum provider — the highest tier in Bupa’s preferred network. For eligible members with appropriate extras cover, preventive services are designed to be fully covered at Platinum practices. This is the most common outcome we see for Bupa members coming in for a routine visit.
The filling:
| Service | Our fee | Bupa benefit | Approximate gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite filling (2-surface) | $228 | $170 | ~$58 |
Fillings fall under general dental and most Bupa policies contribute toward them — but the benefit doesn’t always cover the full fee, even at Platinum.
Total for this visit: approximately $58. The $371 check-up is covered, plus ~$58 for the filling. Without Bupa cover at a non-preferred practice, the same visit would cost $599.
Read more about Bupa dental benefits at Smile Spot →
Scenario 2: NIB member — family visit with mum and child
The situation: A NIB member from Salisbury brings herself and her 8-year-old son. Mum needs a check-up. Her son is eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).
Mum’s check-up (NIB preferred provider):
| Service | Our fee | NIB benefit | Approximate gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | $72 | $53.25 | ~$19 |
| Scale and clean | $147 | $100.35 | ~$47 |
| Fluoride | $40 | $31.70 | ~$8 |
| X-rays (2 films) | $112 | $89.50 | ~$23 |
| Subtotal | $371 | $274.80 | ~$96 maximum |
As a NIB preferred provider, these are the maximum gaps. Depending on your specific NIB policy tier, your actual gap may be lower — particularly on higher-tier policies that cover a greater percentage of preventive services.
Son’s check-up (CDBS bulk billed):
| Service | Our fee | CDBS covers | Out of pocket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | $38 | $38 | $0 |
| Scale and clean | $75 | $75 | $0 |
| Fluoride | $20 | $20 | $0 |
| X-rays (2 films) | $60 | $60 | $0 |
| Subtotal | $193 | $193 | $0 |
We bulk bill all CDBS services — eligible children pay nothing out of pocket. The CDBS provides up to $1,095.44 over two calendar years for eligible children aged 2–17.
Total for this family visit: approximately $96 for mum, $0 for son. Without NIB cover and CDBS, the same visit would cost $564.
Learn more about the Child Dental Benefits Schedule →
Scenario 3: smile.com.au member — wisdom tooth extraction
The situation: A smile.com.au member from Ingle Farm comes in with pain from a lower wisdom tooth. The dentist examines it, takes an x-ray, and recommends extraction.
The emergency visit:
| Service | Standard fee | smile.com.au rate | You save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limited examination | $72 | $53 | $19 |
| X-ray (1 film) | $56 | $42 | $14 |
| Subtotal | $128 | $95 | $33 |
The extraction:
| Extraction type | Standard fee | smile.com.au rate | You save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple extraction | $249 | $189 | $60 |
| Surgical extraction (if impacted) | $441 | $322 | $119 |
smile.com.au works differently from a health fund — instead of paying a “benefit,” the network sets agreed fees at member practices. You pay the smile.com.au rate directly. If you also have private health insurance, your fund pays a benefit toward the smile.com.au rate, potentially reducing your cost further.
Total for simple extraction: $284 at smile.com.au rates versus $377 at standard fees — a saving of $93.
Scenario 4: No health fund — what the full fee looks like
The situation: A patient from Mawson Lakes without any health fund cover needs a check-up and has been putting off a crown on a cracked back tooth.
Check-up and clean:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Examination | $72 |
| Scale and clean | $147 |
| Fluoride | $40 |
| X-rays (2 films) | $112 |
| Subtotal | $371 |
Crown (porcelain):
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Porcelain crown | $1,685 |
Total: $2,056. This is the full practice fee with no fund contribution.
Without health fund cover, payment options include DentiCare interest-free payment plans — spreading the cost over time rather than paying upfront. We discuss all options and provide a written treatment plan with exact fees before any work begins.
For the crown specifically: if you were with Bupa (Platinum), the Bupa benefit would be approximately $1,548 — leaving a gap of around $137. With NIB, the benefit would be approximately $842.50 — a gap of around $842.50. Health fund cover makes the biggest difference on major dental work.
Common treatments — quick reference
| Treatment | Our fee | With Bupa Platinum | With NIB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check-up, clean, x-rays, fluoride | $371 | Typically no gap | ~$96 max gap |
| Filling (small, 1-surface) | $176 | ~$55 gap | ~$49 gap |
| Filling (medium, 2-surface) | $228 | ~$58 gap | ~$55 gap |
| Simple extraction | $249 | ~$94 gap | ~$82 gap |
| Crown (porcelain) | $1,685 | ~$137 gap | ~$843 gap |
| Wisdom tooth (surgical) | $441 | ~$31 gap | ~$147 gap |
| Children’s check-up (CDBS eligible) | $193 | $0 (bulk billed) | $0 (bulk billed) |
Approximate figures for illustrative purposes only. Actual gaps vary by policy tier, annual limits, and waiting periods. We show you the exact gap on the HICAPS terminal before you pay.
How to check your gap before you come in
- Bring your health fund card — we process claims on the spot through HICAPS
- Ask for a treatment plan — we provide item numbers so you can check your fund’s contribution before committing
- Call us on (08) 8258 0650 — we’re happy to give you a fee estimate over the phone before you book
About Smile Spot Mawson Lakes
QIP-accredited practice at 1/3 Coventry Street, Mawson Lakes SA 5095. Open Monday to Thursday 10am–7pm, Friday 9am–2pm. Evening appointments for working families across Parafield Gardens, Salisbury, Paralowie, Ingle Farm, Para Hills, and the broader northern suburbs.
We’re preferred providers for Bupa (Members First Platinum), NIB, HCF, CBHS, and smile.com.au, and accept all major Australian health funds through HICAPS.
Book at Smile Spot — call (08) 8258 0650 or book online.