Dental FAQs Woonona

Bring your health fund card if you have private cover. We can process an eligible claim at the clinic through our HICAPS terminal for electronic health fund claims.

Tell the team about any medical conditions, medicines or allergies. If you have recent X-rays or records from another dentist, bring them or ask about having them sent. This helps your dentist at a check-up and clean and at any later visit.

Your dentist checks your teeth, gums and overall oral health, and talks with you about any concerns.

A first check-up and clean can include a clean and polish, digital X-rays if they are needed, fluoride if needed, a treatment plan and a photo assessment that records your current oral health for future comparison.

Digital X-rays are taken if your dentist needs them to support an accurate diagnosis, for example during a check-up and clean.

Ask your dentist why an X-ray is suggested and what it can show. You can ask questions at any time.

If treatment is recommended, we give you a written treatment plan that lists each recommended procedure and its cost. The plan includes Australian Dental Association (ADA) item numbers. These are codes for dental services that you can use to check your health fund cover.

You do not have to go ahead with treatment after your consultation. You can take time to decide, talk it over with family or ask for a second opinion. A written plan is useful for larger treatment such as crowns and bridges or dental implants.

Fees depend on the type of appointment, your dental health and any treatment you need. Call the team on (02) 4284 4486 for current fees. The cost of a check-up and clean can differ from the cost of treatment such as a tooth-coloured filling.

We discuss treatment costs during your consultation, before any procedure begins, and give you a written treatment plan with the cost of each service.

We work with most major Australian health funds through our HICAPS terminal for electronic health fund claims, so an eligible claim can be processed at your visit and you pay the gap. If you are with a smaller fund, ask us about your fund when you book.

How much your fund pays depends on your policy, your level of cover and any annual limits you have left. Your fund can confirm your benefits, and our team can help you estimate your costs when you book. This applies to general dentistry and to larger treatment such as dental implants.

You can pay by cash, credit card, debit card or EFTPOS. If you would like to pay another way, ask the team.

If you prefer to spread the cost of larger treatment such as crowns and bridges, ask about payment plans. Eligible patients can also apply to release some superannuation early through SuperCare for dental treatment.

Payment plans are available through Zip, Afterpay, MediPay and TLC (Total Lifestyle Credit). Approval and terms are set by each provider and depend on your circumstances.

Check the provider's current terms before you apply. The team can talk you through which option may suit the treatment you are considering, such as Invisalign or dentures.

Tell the team when you book, or tell your dentist at the start of your appointment. We explain what we find and what we plan to do, so you know what is happening and can ask questions along the way.

If past dental visits were difficult, you are welcome to say so. It helps us plan your visit. Some patients also ask about IV sedation, medicine given through a vein to help them relax.

IV sedation is one of the services we offer. Whether it suits you depends on your health, the treatment planned and your dentist's assessment.

Ask the team about it when you book, so your dentist can talk it through with you first.

Yes. We have emergency dentist appointments available every day, so call (02) 4284 4486 or book online. Emergency bookings are also available outside our usual hours by appointment.

Tell the team what has happened and when it started, so they can plan your visit.

Tooth pain can come from tooth decay (a cavity), a cracked tooth, a tooth abscess or gum disease. Only an examination can show the cause.

If you have tooth pain, we recommend you book as soon as possible rather than wait for it to settle. Ask the team about an emergency dentist appointment if the pain is severe or started after an injury.

If an adult tooth is knocked out, find it and hold it by the crown, the white part you can see in the mouth. Try not to touch the root. If the tooth is dirty, quickly rinse it in warm water. Do not scrub it or soak it.

Try to place the tooth back in the gum and gently bite down on a clean piece of cloth. If you cannot put it back, store it in a little milk or saliva so it does not dry out.

Call (02) 4284 4486 and ask for an emergency appointment, ideally within 30 minutes, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. The sooner a tooth is treated, the better the chance of saving it.

If a child's baby tooth is knocked out, do not put it back in. Rinse their mouth with salt water and see a dentist.

Call Triple Zero (000) or go to a hospital emergency department if swelling is affecting your breathing or swallowing, bleeding will not stop, or you have a serious injury to your face or head.

Website information cannot assess urgent symptoms. If you are unsure how serious a symptom is, seek urgent medical advice. For a dental problem that is urgent but not life-threatening, see our emergency dentist page.

Woonona Dentists is at 379 Princes Highway, Woonona NSW 2517, next door to FMP Medical Centre.

We are open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. After-hours treatment is available with a prior appointment. Our services include general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry, and an emergency dentist service.

Yes. There is free parking at the rear of the practice, close to the local IGA, with entry through Haddon Lane. Call us if you have any trouble finding it or need further clarification.

We recommend a dental assessment about every six months.

A regular check-up and clean lets your dentist remove plaque build-up and look for problems early. Finding a cavity early can mean a simpler filling instead of bigger treatment later.

Brush your teeth and gums twice a day for 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste, floss once a day and choose plain water over sugary drinks. Most people do not need mouthwash, so ask your dentist if you are unsure.

Home care works alongside regular check-ups. Ask your dentist what suits your mouth, and ask about it at your next check-up and clean.

Woonona Dentists is part of the Illawarra Dentists Group. We also have clinics in Dapto and Shellharbour.