Members First Ultimate is Bupa’s best dental offering yet,³ offering Bupa members with eligible extras cover that includes General Dental:

• 100% back on check-up and cleans on up to two 6-monthly dental check-up and cleans (select dental items only) per person.¹
• 100% back on General Dental fillings Claim 100% back on General Dental fillings up to your yearly limits.²

Find out more >

All practices featured on bupadental.com.au are Members First Ultimate clinics. Find your nearest Members First Ultimate dental practice here.³

More than 145 Bupa-owned practices are Members First Ultimate. At these practices, if you’re a Bupa Health Insurance member with eligible extras cover that includes general dental, you can enjoy a range of benefits including:

• 100% back on check-up and cleans on up to two 6-monthly dental check-up and cleans (select dental items only) per person.¹
• 100% back on General Dental fillings Claim 100% back on General Dental fillings up to your yearly limits.²

To check your level of cover, log into myBupa or call 134 135 today.

Only Bupa-owned clinics are part of the Members First Ultimate network, Bupa’s best dental offering yet. At our 145+ Members First Ultimate providers, Bupa members with eligible extras cover that includes General Dental can get:

• 100% back on check-up and cleans on up to two 6-monthly dental check-up and cleans (select dental items only) per person.¹
• 100% back on General Dental fillings Claim 100% back on General Dental fillings up to your yearly limits.²

For all Members First Ultimate practices, you’re in the right place. Find your nearest Members First Ultimate dental practice here.³

All health insurance policies are different and coverage for dental services can vary, so we recommend that you speak with your health insurance provider for details.

We accept all major health funds at our practices.

At our 145+ Members First Ultimate providers, Bupa members with eligible extras cover that includes general dental can get:

• 100% back on check-up and cleans on up to two 6-monthly dental check-up and cleans (select dental items only) per person.¹
• 100% back on General Dental fillings Claim 100% back on General Dental fillings up to your yearly limits.²

At our 145+ Members First Ultimate providers, benefits are available for the whole family (for members included on your policy). If your family is on eligible extras cover that includes General Dental, you could get:

• 100% back on check-up and cleans on up to two 6-monthly dental check-up and cleans (select dental items only) per person.¹
• 100% back on General Dental fillings Claim 100% back on General Dental fillings up to your yearly limits.²

Everyone’s needs are different, so have a chat to your dentist about how often you need to have your teeth checked by them based on the condition of your mouth, teeth and gums. It’s recommended that children see their dentist at least once a year.

Generally, your dentist may suggest six-monthly check-ups, or even more frequently if you are at a greater risk for gum disease or cavities. High-risk factors can include having diabetes, being a smoker, or a family history of dental problems such as plaque build-up and decay.

• When you arrive, we’ll ask you to fill out a short medical history form. This ensures we have the necessary information to give you treatment that’s most suitable for you and your health needs. Our friendly staff will be nearby to answer any questions that you might have.
• Your dentist will meet with you to discuss any needs and concerns before examining your teeth, gums, and jaw. Your teeth will be assessed for signs of decay. If you have any fillings, crowns, or other previous dental work, we’ll also check that they’re still intact and functioning correctly. Other areas that may be examined are the soft tissues of your mouth (such as your tongue and the inside of your cheeks), your bite, salivary glands, and lymph nodes. Essentially, your dentist will be looking for signs of any possible issues that could affect your oral and overall health.
• Depending on your circumstances, we may take radiographs (X-rays), moulds, and conduct an oral cancer screening. Everyone is different, and some people may need more attention in certain areas; we’ll explain these steps to you beforehand, keeping you informed throughout the check-up.
• The dentist will explain the results of your assessment and develop a treatment plan for you. We’re always happy to discuss any questions you might have about your treatment plan, so don’t hesitate to ask!
• Your dentist or dental hygienist may then professionally clean your teeth. We believe strongly in patient education, so we’ll also discuss oral hygiene techniques and recommend next steps in your oral health journey.

Regular dental check-ups are a chance for your dentist to have a complete look at your teeth, mouth and gums, to detect and treat any problems early on if necessary, or prevent them from developing altogether. It’s rare that a dental issue goes away on its own, so early detection, treatment, and prevention can save you money, time, and discomfort. Issues like gum disease and oral cancer can also have serious consequences to your health if they aren’t addressed early enough.

In addition to assessments, having your teeth regularly cleaned by a professional can further reduce your risk of developing other dental and health problems. Almost 50% of Australian children experience tooth decay by age 12¹ and almost 90% of tooth loss is due to conditions that are preventable with proper dental care¹.

¹ Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Chrisopoulos S & Harford JE 2013. Oral health and dental care in Australia: key facts and figures 2012. Cat. no. DEN 224. Canberra: AIHW.

Some problems won’t be noticeable to you at home, which is why it’s important to get regular check-ups (this is doubly true if you have a history of decay). For instance, gum disease often develops without people noticing and they may only act on it when they experience bleeding gums or severe discomfort.

There are some warning signs that you can spot yourself. Look out for:

• gums that are swollen, tender, bleed when you brush or floss, or appear red (gums should be a pale pink colour)
• oral pain, especially while chewing
• persistent bad breath
• loose teeth
• consistent bad taste in mouth
• teeth that are unusually sensitive to temperature.

If you notice any of these signs, contact your local Bupa Dental practice to schedule an appointment.

• Be sure to brush at least twice per day, using a gentle, circular motion. If you’ve just eaten, wait 30 minutes to brush, since highly acidic or starchy food can soften your enamel. Don’t forget to brush your tongue - bacteria love to accumulate here.
• Remove plaque by flossing at least once a day. Gently move the floss up and down the sides of each tooth, as well as around the gum line.
• After brushing and flossing, rinse with water. You can also use antibacterial or fluoride mouthwash (avoid giving fluoride rinses to children younger than six). Since different people can benefit from different rinses, speak with your dentist about which product is best for you.
• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or when you see the brush head is worn and bristly.
• Avoid snacking on sugary or acidic foods.
• Swap sugary beverages like juice or fizzy drinks for tap water.
• Chew sugar-free gums, which can stimulate saliva production. Saliva is one of your mouth’s best natural defences against bacteria and plaque!

Oral pain can happen for a lot of different reasons. Take note of some details of pain you’re feeling, like whether it’s dull, sharp, or throbbing. Also take notice of when the pain occurs, such as when you bite down. Your dentist will have a number of ways to identify any problems, but extra information can help solve the issue more quickly.

Common causes for toothaches include:

• tooth decay
• gum disease
• inflammation of tooth pulp (the tissue in the centre of your tooth)
• impacted teeth (often caused by wisdom teeth)
• dental abscess (a serious infection)

If you’re experiencing pain in your teeth or mouth, contact your local Bupa Dental practice to schedule an appointment.

The best place to access your policy details is through the myBupa website.

If you’d like to speak with a customer service representative, please call 134 135 or visit your local Bupa Centre. If you’d like to find out more about changing your level of cover, click here to read more.

If you prefer, we’ll try to schedule you with the same dentist each visit.

You may see a different dentist in a few instances (for example, if you need an urgent appointment). However, our Bupa Dental clinics usually have smaller teams who you can get to know quickly! To learn more about the dentists at your local Bupa Dental, visit their practice page by clicking on your selected clinic here.