For many Case residents, the question is not whether dental care is important, but whether they can afford it. A trip to the dentist can be expensive, and for some people, the cost is enough to delay treatment altogether. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare says around 3 in 10 Australians delayed or avoided a dental visit and 2 in 10 was because of cost. Transparent pricing isn’t just knowing about the cost- it’s about giving you the information you need to make confident decisions about your oral health
According to the Australian Dental Association’s 2024 Dental Fees Survey, the average cost of a routine dental check-up, scale and clean, and fluoride treatment is about $229, based on item numbers 012, 114 and 121. But that figure is only a starting point. Dental costs can vary widely depending on the procedure, the clinic, and where you live.
What Common Dental Procedures Cost
The table below shows the average cost and price range of common dental procedures based on the Australian Dental Association’s 2024 fee survey. Preventive treatments such as check-ups and cleanings are generally far cheaper than restorative work such as crowns, dentures and orthodontic treatment.
| Procedure/Dental Item Number | *Range as per ADA Survey 2024 |
| Check-up, complete oral exam(011) | $51-S110 |
| X-ray per exposure(022) | $35-$62 |
| Scale/clean (removal of plaque/calculus) (114) | $90-$195 |
| Simple non-surgical tooth extraction (311) | $160-$331 |
| Emergency first stage root canal(419) | $162-$417 |
| Filling–front (521)/ back (531) teeth | $130-$268 |
| Full crown( veneered) – indirect (615) | $1321-$2300 |
| Orthodontic treatment or Invisalign | $7000-$11,990 |
Table Notes: Prices are averages only and for most common services provided by general dental practitioners (averages for specialists vary).
A single-tooth implant can also cost about $5,500 to $7,500 all-in in Australia, with simpler cases usually closer to the lower end and more complex cases costing more.
Why Prices Vary
Dental fees are not the same everywhere. The final bill can depend on the complexity of the treatment, the location of the clinic, and the experience of the dentist.
More complex procedures often cost more because they may require extra scans, bone treatment or grafting. As per ADA survey, location also matters, with fees generally lower in South Australia and Queensland and higher in the ACT and Tasmania.
Private health insurance, child dental benefits schedule, or a health care card may also affect what patients pay out of pocket.
How to Keep Costs Down
There are ways to reduce the financial shock of dental treatment.
- Ask for a quote before treatment
- Compare prices at more than one
- Ask whether payment plans are
- Check whether your treatment is covered by insurance or a public dental
- Look out for new-patient offers or bundled pricing for multiple
- Ask if treatment can best age dover more than one
Many Australians continue to struggle to access dental care, and poor oral health is a strong indicator of poverty and disadvantage. So dental practitioners are advocating to include dental services into Medicare to make it more accessible and affordable.
References:
https://ada.org.au/dental-fees-survey-2024
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dental-oral-health/oral-health-and-dental-care-in-australia/contents/about
Hopcraft, M.S., & Holden, A. C. L. (2025). Australian dental practitioner attitudes to expanding Medicare to include more dental services. Australian Dental Journal. https://doi.org/10.1111/adj.13073 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih