Moving to a new country is a lot. There’s a new home to set up, a new job or school, paperwork that never seems to end, and a hundred small things to figure out along the way. Somewhere on that long list, usually near the bottom, is “find a dentist.” It’s easy to put off until a toothache forces the issue. As a dentist in Taylors Lakes, we meet plenty of families who are new to Australia, and many of them tell us the same thing: they just weren’t sure how the system works here. So let’s walk through it, simply and without the jargon.
First Things First: Dental Isn’t Like the GP
This comes as a shock to most people. In Australia, Medicare subsidizes a number of visits to your doctor, but it does not generally subsidize dental treatment for adults. This implies that your dental examination or restoration procedure will be paid by you, either partially or wholly.
Although this is not good news for everyone, the earlier you get this information, the better.
Help That You Might Receive
Here are a few helpful resources.
For children: The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) can help provide assistance for basic dental treatments for children and adolescents who are eligible. To see if your child is eligible, one needs to ensure if the family receives any government payment, such as Family Tax Benefit. It’s worth considering since a lot of families are unaware that they meet eligibility criteria.
Public dental services: In Victoria, public dental care is available through community dental clinics for people who hold an eligible concession card, like a Health Care Card. Waiting lists can be long for non-urgent treatment, but it’s an important option to know about.
Private health insurance: If you take out cover, look for a policy with “extras,” which is where dental usually sits. Keep an eye on waiting periods, though. Many policies make you wait a few months before you can claim for certain treatments.
Language Shouldn’t Be a Barrier
If English isn’t your first language, explaining a toothache or understanding a treatment plan can feel stressful. You’re entitled to understand exactly what’s happening with your health.
The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) can connect you with an interpreter by phone. It’s always okay to ask your clinic whether they can arrange one, or to bring along a trusted family member or friend to help you communicate. Ask questions, and ask them again if you need to. A good dental team will be happy to slow down and explain.
Don’t Wait for Pain
In many parts of the world, people only see a dentist when something hurts. That’s completely understandable, especially where dental care is expensive or hard to reach. But here, regular check-ups (usually every six to twelve months, depending on your needs) can catch small problems early.
A tiny cavity found at a check-up is usually a quick, simple fix. The same cavity left for a year or two can turn into something more involved, more uncomfortable, and more costly. Prevention really does tend to be the cheaper path in the long run.
A Few Everyday Habits That Help
When moving abroad, there will definitely be changes in the way one eats. Eating more takeaway food and more snacking on new foods, and an increase in drinking beverages with sugar is very common. However, this is not always unhealthy, but it would be wise to be careful.
The importance of brushing one’s teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste and also cleaning between one’s teeth once a day should never be underestimated. And the good thing is that the water in Melbourne is fluoridated and is necessary for strong tooth formation. This makes drinking water better than soft drink or fruit juice.
If one has children, then it is advised to avoid giving sweet drinks in a bottle, particularly at night time. It is highly recommended that one gets his/her child’s first dental visit at the age of one year.
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
A bad toothache, a loose tooth, a broken tooth, or even facial swelling are all situations that may frighten you while you are getting used to your new surroundings.
First, contact a dental clinic to schedule an urgent appointment. You may find a clinic that can treat you immediately or schedule an appointment for you at the earliest possible moment. In cases of severe facial swelling, difficulty swallowing or breathing, and even a high temperature, do not delay going to the hospital or dialing 000 right away.
Save a local clinic’s number in your phone now so that you do not have to do so in a crisis situation.
You Are Not Expected to Know Everything
Adjusting to life in a new country requires time, and you cannot be expected to get everything straight on the first day. Dental care is one of those things, and after a while, it will all become easy to understand.
So, make an appointment with a dentist, ask questions whenever you are not sure about something, and take one step at a time. After all, your smile is also a part of your new life.