Subsidised Private Dental Services

In addition to dental services provided at public dental clinics, the Government of Western Australia through Dental Health Services (DHS) offers eligible patients access to dental care through the Metropolitan Patients' Dental Subsidy Scheme (MPDSS) and the Country Patients' Dental Subsidy Scheme (CPDSS). These dental subsidy schemes (DSS) allow DHS eligible patients' access to dental treatment provided by participating private dental practices. Patients receiving dental treatment under the DSS will pay the same treatment fees that would apply to them being seen at a DHS General Dental clinic.

The DSS operates when funding is available and enables eligible patients access to urgent and non-urgent courses of dental care.

Urgent Care - patients requiring urgent dental care are provided with an Authority (voucher) to attend a participating private dental practice by either a DHS public dental clinic or by contacting the DHS Subsidy Department.

Non-urgent General Dental Care - patients are notified of their eligibility to the DSS for a non-urgent course of dental care by DHS issuing of an Authority (voucher) to individuals. The Authority has an expiry date, and a nominated total value of the treatment included in the voucher and enables patients to access the treatments available under the DSS.

As well as the total value of the voucher, there are limits placed on the type and frequency of treatment items that can be subsidised under the schemes. Subject to additional DHS approval, some denture treatments may be available for both schemes.

DHS uses the Commonwealth Government Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) dental fee schedule to determine the cost of Treatment Items and participating private dental practitioners must adhere to this fee schedule when treating DHS public patients. Eligible patients should not receive any additional accounts from the participating private practices or pay the private practice any additional fees for treatment items included in the DSS.

For further information, please call Dental Health Services' Subsidy Department on 9313 0660 or email DHS.Subsidy@health.wa.gov.au When emailing, include your phone number if you want to be called back.

Dear Patient,

VOUCHER FOR SUBSIDISED DENTAL CARE

You have been given a voucher to see a private dentist for a check-up, treatment, and dentures if you need them. This dental care will help keep your mouth healthy and help prevent future problems.

Book your appointment at the private clinic before this offer expires. Do not miss out, or you will have to wait again.

You are no longer on the waiting list at the government dental clinic. If you do not accept this offer, you can ask the clinic to put you back on the waiting list again, but your wait time will start over.

If you accept this voucher, you can get general subsidised dental treatment up to the value of the limit shown in the box on your General Treatment Authority form. The fees are the same as at the government dental clinic, and you will need to make the same co-payment you would at the government dental clinic.

What do you need to do?

1. Pick a dentist from the list and tell them you have this letter. If English is your second language, let the dentist know if you need an interpreter.


2. Book an appointment as soon as you can, before this offer expires. You cannot use the voucher after it expires.


3. Bring the paper copy of this letter and the General Treatment Authority form to your appointment with the private dentist. If you need an interpreter the dentist can arrange this at the time you attend your appointment.

If English is your second language, then speak to the dentist about arranging an interpreter when you attend your appointment. The cost of the interpreter will be paid for by Dental Health Services.

Frequently asked questions can be found below on this page.

If you have more questions, please call Dental Health Services' Subsidy Department on 9313 0660 or email DHS.Subsidy@health.wa.gov.au. When emailing, include your phone number if you want to be called back.

Yours sincerely,

SUBSIDY DEPARTMENT
DENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Can I choose to stay at the government dental clinic?

If you do not want to take the private dentist offer, you can ask the government dental clinic to put you back on the waiting list starting today. This means the waiting period for treatment starts again. We will not put your name back on the waiting list for routine dental care unless you contact us or use this offer.

How long do I have to use this private dentist funding offer?

You can find the date your offer is valid until in the box near the top right of the front of your General Treatment Authority form, which is contained along with the paper copy of the above letter. Please do not wait to book your appointment with the private dentist, because the offer cannot be used once it has expired.
Dental Health Services suggests you use the offer now to avoid dental problems in the future.

What do I need to pay when using this offer?

The fees are the same as at the government dental clinic, and you pay for treatment when you get it. Your Centrelink benefits decide your subsidy level which can be found in the box near the top right of your General Treatment Authority form.

If your subsidy level is 75%, you will pay 25% of the government-scheduled fee.

If your subsidy level is 50%, you will pay 50% of the government-scheduled fee.

What happens if my limit does not cover the full cost of the treatment I require?

If more treatment is required than the amount allowed on the General Treatment Authority form, you can ask the private dentist to send you back to the government dental clinic to finish your treatment.

Please note: If you choose to have more treatment over the limit on the General Treatment Authority with the private dentist, you will have to pay 100% of the cost over your limit.

Can I use this private dentist funding offer for dentures?

Yes, you can with this General Treatment Authority.
Denture care is not limited like general dental care. However, full subsidy for denture items will only be available once every 6 years per patient. Otherwise the amount of subsidy paid by Dental Health Services will be on a pro rata/proportional basis.

Please note: Dental implants are not available with private dentist offers or at government dental clinics.

Can I claim any costs on my Private Health Insurance?

If you have dental coverage on your private health insurance, you might be able to get some money back for dental treatment. Your health fund will be able to provide more information.

How does the Interpreter Service work?

If English is your second language and you need an interpreter to understand the treatment being proposed and to provide informed medical and financial consent. Please speak to the private dentist about arranging an interpreter for your visit. The dentist can arrange the interpreter service when you attend the appointment with the private dentist (it cannot be booked in advance). The cost of this interpreter will be paid for by Dental Health Services.