Dental work
Wed, 24/03/2010 - 19:54
Hey, I'm new to this so please don't make fun =D
Um, I've heard rumors that Cancer patients and/or survivors can have up to $5,000 worth of Dental done for free per year from the Australian government.
Is this true or is this just wishful thinking?
Thanking you in advance,
Dan
Wed, 24/03/2010 - 20:05
#2
Re: Dental work
Thanks for that Shaz. Tooth pain is starting to become unbareable. Trip to the GP sounds like a good idea first =)
Thu, 25/03/2010 - 12:00
#5
Re: Dental work
Hi Dan,
Thank you for raising this, I didn't know it existed.
have a look at:
http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/medicare/initiatives/teen-d...
about a third of the way down is the section called Medicare chronic disease dental scheme.
Good luck and I hope it helps.
Katie
Thu, 25/03/2010 - 16:10
#6
Re: Dental work
HI KINGSWOOD KID, TO BE ELIGABLE FOR FREE DENTAL WORK YOU NEED TO BE UNDER THE CARE OF 2 SPECIALISTS AND HAVE YOUR DENTAL PROBLEM CAUSED BY CANCER OR HAVE YOUR DENTAL PROBLEM CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH YOUR CANCER TREATMENT (SOUNDS CONFUSING) YOU NEED YOUR GP TO DO WHATS CALLED AN EPC PLAN, NOT ALL DENTISTS ACCEPT THEM SO YOU MIGHT NEED TO SHOP AROUND, THEY USUALLY PAY UP TO ABOUT $4,000.00. GOOD LUCK WITH IT. TAKE CARE MARGC
Fri, 26/03/2010 - 08:32
#7
Re: Dental work
Hi Kingswood Kid
Your dental work does not have to be caused by cancer! You just have to have a chronic illness and cancer is now classified as a chronic illness. Your GP has to write up a care plan - this will take an extended visit. It is about $4500 Details are at http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/medicare/initiatives/teen-d...
Cheers
Sailor
A collision at sea can ruin your entire day. Attrib Thucydides, 5th Century BC
Fri, 26/03/2010 - 18:59
#8
Re: Dental work
Nothing to do with dental work - maybe it does as I don't enjoy the dentist.
Love the Thucydides quote - he is one of my favourites but I haven't come across that one.
On thinking, probably very apt for a dental post.
Sorry to jump in Kingswood Kid.
S
Sun, 28/03/2010 - 12:35
#9
Re: Dental work
Hi Dan, i am on the "plan" it is called p.d.c. You can use $4200 worth of dental treatments over 2 years. You r gp has to write you a referreal and you must provide the dentist details.
Fri, 16/04/2010 - 16:34
#10
Re: Dental work
Hi Dan - I'm so glad you spoke about the Dental Program. I used to go to a private practice until it got toooo expensive then I had been going to Community Dental Service- but you are on a waiting list and if you can't make the appointment - back on the waiting list.
I checked out the Medicare website provided by sailor (thankyou sailor) and I will make an appointment with my GP to apply for the Medicare Chronic Disease Dental Scheme and to put me on an Enhanced Primary Care Program - that's all on the Govt website.
Dan I hope you got your dental problem fixed - mine are ongoing!!!
Now 2 special thankyou's - Dan for the question
and sailor for once again providing an answer Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuu.
Fri, 29/04/2011 - 02:24
#11
Re: Dental work
Thanks guys to all of you,
this will keep my mind and time busy with something else but feeling sorry for me and how I feel sick and tired from my therapies . This is when you say, get some good out of bad.
Thank yuuuuu 
Wed, 29/06/2011 - 11:52
#12
Re: Dental work
You have to fit the criteria. The state of your teeth needing work needs to be affecting your general health.I know 2 people who got it ,one had had prostate cancer about 6 years ago and the other has other chronic illnesses. Their teeth were not affecting their general health . I tried to get it as I have an incurable cancer but couldn't. I think that too many people were getting it and my doctor told me that doctors may get audited so she would not refer me . Also you now need 3 doctors to agree that you fit the criteria.
You can try . Your doctor may be prepared to twist the truth or you may qualify. I wish I had tried a year before when I was told and I may have gotten it.
Good luck.
Wed, 21/09/2011 - 23:33
#13
Re: Dental work
Thanks for bringing this up Dan. I have a wisdom tooth that gets infected every time I have chemo and I have put off getting it out because I didnt feel well enough in body or bank. Maybe this could help I hope you arent suffering too much pain yourself.
best
Eta
Thu, 22/09/2011 - 12:17
#14
Re: Dental work
Eta,you may qualify. The dental condition has to be impacting on your health . It needs to be backed up by 3 doctors.This is what I found when I tried to get it. Doctors are more careful now .
Thu, 22/09/2011 - 12:17
#15
Re: Dental work
Eta,you may qualify. The dental condition has to be impacting on your health . It needs to be backed up by 3 doctors.This is what I found when I tried to get it. Doctors are more careful now .
Thu, 22/09/2011 - 12:39
#16
Re: Dental work
Hello to one and all!
I am impressed with the amount of people who have commented on this page.
Eta, you should qualify. Any damaged/infected/rotting tooth is classified as an impact on your health. No, I'm no dentist, but I've asked the hard questions already lol. And knowing that your going thru chemo, you pass the Medicare/G.P. tests. Hope your chemo is going great and you're on the mend =)
Silly, not sure about having to go to 3 doctors. Regulations may have changed from when I spoke to my G.P. back in mid 2010.
Take care,
Dan
Thu, 22/09/2011 - 22:20
#17
Re: Dental work
My gp ,ent and onc. would have been the 3 doctors my gp said but dental work I needed did not affect my health. My sister's doctor told hr she didn't fit the criteria but she told him she couldn't chew her food properly so he signed her up. She didn't need 3 doctors' signatures either. That was over a year ago but they must have toughened it since then . There has been talk of getting rid of this for a long time so that the money will be spent on other things. Anyone wating it ought to do it sooner rather than later just in case.
Fri, 23/09/2011 - 20:37
#18
Re: Dental work
HI, I have a GP Health Management Plan which includes up to $5000 for dental work and 5 Physio visits per year. I have a 6 monthly review with my GP (only 1 doctor) - having my next review on Wed. Dentists do have to agree to accept the plan - but I have found my dentist, the root canal specialist and the surgeon I have seen recently all too happy to treat me under this plan. My physio is also happy.
Up until recently I have used the dental visits only for cleans. As I have had tongue cancer and have limited saliva I am susceptible to gum disease . I also had radiotherapy to the jaw and am at risk of osteonecrosis - hence the chronic condition label. I too have heard that the scheme is under review. I ill ask my GP on Wed.
If you are eligible you should apply asap. It has certainly eased the financial strain of maintaining my oral health.
CJF
Thu, 29/09/2011 - 23:57
#19
Re: Dental work
Well, I had my review and the GP management plan for my physio is set for another year but the dental plan is in doubt. The GP doesn't know what will happen. He thinks there are three options but doesn't know which one the Govt will choose. 1 continue to fund the program, 2. continue funding for existing patients (no new patients after Nov 1) or 3 scrap the program altogether after Nov 1. He wrote my dental plan up and has sent it off to ensure that I will be covered if options 1 or 2 are chosen.
Has anyone heard anything more concrete?
CJF
I'm not sure of the cost limit but I know my GP has suggested I go on a health plan and it includes my dental care, I think it also covers a certain number of visits to a dietitian. My GP knew all about it so maybe give your Doc a call. Hope this helps.
Sharon