If you’re eligible for public dental care, your state or territory dental service may cover dentures – either at a public clinic or, in some states, through a voucher or scheme that lets you see a participating private dental prosthetist – and veterans with a DVA Veteran Card may have dental treatment funded under DVA arrangements. Eligibility is determined by the relevant public dental service or by DVA, so the first step is to contact them directly.
smilogy clinics accept public dental scheme vouchers and DVA at participating locations. Below is a high-level overview of how things work in each state and territory where smilogy operates, with links to the official pages.
How public dental vouchers generally work
Public dental services in Australia are run by each state and territory. Adults usually need to hold an eligible concession card, and the service decides who is eligible and what care they need. In some states, when the public service authorises care, it can issue a voucher or referral so you can receive that care from a registered private practitioner, such as a dental prosthetist, instead of waiting for a public clinic appointment.
You can’t normally request a voucher from a private clinic. It starts with the public dental service.
New South Wales
According to NSW Health, public dental services are free for adults with a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. To access NSW public dental services, call 1800 679 336.
NSW Health runs the Oral Health Fee for Service Scheme. Vouchers are issued by the public dental service after patients are triaged – patients and providers can’t request one directly. NSW Health states that denture vouchers are valid for 3 months and can be redeemed with a dental prosthetist, and that you won’t have to pay for dental care authorised by the public dental clinic.
Queensland
The Queensland Government says adults must be Queensland residents and, where applicable, hold an eligible concession card – including a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card or Queensland Seniors Card. To check eligibility, make an appointment or join a waiting list, contact your local public dental service.
Victoria
The Victorian Department of Health says public dental care is available to people aged 18 and over who hold a health care or pensioner concession card (or are dependants of card holders), as well as all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and refugees and asylum seekers. Most people seeking denture care join a waiting list, with priority access for some groups.
Victoria also runs the Victorian Denture Scheme, one of several schemes that allow private clinicians to provide public dental care. For information, contact the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne or your local community dental clinic, or visit Dental Health Services Victoria.
South Australia
SA Dental provides public dental services for eligible adults, and SA Health publishes information about dental schemes delivered through private providers, including a pensioner denture scheme. Eligibility and access are determined by SA Dental, so contact them to check what applies to you.
Australian Capital Territory
Canberra Health Services says adult dental services are available to ACT residents who are the primary holder of a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, Veteran Card, ACT Services Access Card or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. Removable dentures are among the services offered, and a co-payment may apply depending on the denture type. To book, call Central Health Intake on (02) 5124 9977 with your Medicare and concession card details.
DVA (Department of Veterans’ Affairs)
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs funds dental care for eligible veterans. According to DVA:
- Veteran Gold Card holders: DVA funds a range of dental services and treatment, under DVA arrangements, to meet a clinical need.
- Veteran White Card holders: dental treatment can only be provided in relation to accepted conditions.
- Prior approval: some dental services need prior financial approval from DVA before treatment.
Bring your Veteran Card to your appointment and let the clinic know upfront that you’d like to use DVA, so the team can check what’s needed.
Using a voucher or DVA at smilogy
- Check eligibility with your state or territory dental service, or with DVA.
- Find a clinic using the smilogy locations finder and call to confirm it accepts your voucher type or DVA.
- Bring your documents – your voucher or referral, concession or Veteran Card, and Medicare card.
- Consultation and scan – your clinician will assess your mouth, explain what’s covered and take a 3D intraoral scan.
- Fitting – your denture is manufactured in Australia and fitted, with most patients going from scan to fitting in under 21 days.
If a voucher or DVA doesn’t cover everything you’d like, your clinician will explain any gap before work starts. You can compare self-funded prices on our pricing page, read about what affects denture costs, or learn more about smilogy digital dentures.
FAQs
Can I ask smilogy for a public dental voucher?
No. Vouchers are issued by the public dental service in your state or territory after they assess your eligibility and needs. Once you have one, contact a participating smilogy clinic.
Am I eligible for free dentures?
Eligibility is determined by your state or territory public dental service, usually based on holding an eligible concession card. Contact them directly to check.
Does DVA cover dentures?
DVA funds a range of dental services for Gold Card holders to meet a clinical need, and for White Card holders in relation to accepted conditions. Some services need prior approval, so check with DVA and your clinic.
Do all smilogy locations accept vouchers?
Public dental scheme vouchers and DVA are accepted at participating locations. Call your nearest clinic to confirm before booking.
This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for advice from a registered dental practitioner.