Public Dental Services

Welcome to DPV Health Public Dental Services

At DPV Health we want to help you keep your teeth and gums healthy and provide high quality treatment. We offer check-ups, treatment for dental problems, and support to prevent future issues.

While we offer a wide range of services, there are some areas we may not be able to support you with.

Some services are free OR low-cost, if you qualify.

What can DPV Health Public dental help with?

Here are some of the dental services we offer:

• Check-ups – Examining your teeth, gums and mouth to find problems early
• Fillings – To fix holes (decay) in your teeth
• Tooth extraction – Removing a tooth that is badly damaged or causing pain
• Limited root canal treatment – For some types of tooth infections
• Gum problems – Help with bleeding gums or gum disease
• Emergency dental care – If you are in pain or have a dental injury
• Dentures – Full or partial sets of false teeth

Children’s dental care:

• Children should have their teeth checked by age 2.
• If your child had a dental check at kinder or childcare, let reception know.
• Visit our oral health website for tips on caring for your child’s teeth.
• Smiles 4 Miles program – For young children in early learning centres to promote healthy eating and brushing

Things to know before you use DPV Health Public Dental Services

• There is a waiting list – Public dental services often have a waiting list.

If you need emergency treatment, call us (1300 234 263) and we will ask you some questions to decide how quickly you need to be seen. This is called triage.

• There will be small fee – Everyone who uses our dental service must pay a co-payment fee. You can find more details in the Fees section of our webpage.

• Private health insurance does not cover co-payment fees

Eligibility – who can use our public dental services?

Adults aged 18 years and over who hold a healthcare or pensioner concession card or are dependents of concession card holders.

Most people need a current Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card to use our public dental services.

Access to Victoria’s public dental care services | health.vic.gov.au

Who gets priority access:

Some people may be seen sooner because they need extra support. You may get priority access (are seen faster) if you are:

• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person
• A refugee or asylum seeker – You will need a referral from a support service (like Red Cross or AMES). You are only eligible for one course of dental care.
• Homeless or at risk of becoming homeless – you will need a referral from a housing support agency
• Pregnant
• A person with disability or mental health condition – you will need a support letter of recommendation from your case manager or a special developmental school
• A child or teenager:
• Children aged 0–12 years who qualify for the Child Dental Benefit Scheme
• Young people aged 13–17 years who have a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or are dependents of someone who does
• Children and young people up to 18 years old who are in out-of-home care- especially if you are in foster care or youth justice

Children and young people – priority

If you are a young person who needs extra support, you may be given priority access to dental care.

You may get dental care sooner if you are:

• In youth justice or custodial care (even if you are over 18)
• Under 18 years old and living in foster care or out-of-home care
• Under 18 years old and getting support from mental health or disability services, and have a letter from your case manager or special school

What does it cost?

From 1 October 2025, the cost of public dental care has changed. These fees are set by Dental Health Services Victoria and apply to each course of care — which means the full set of appointments needed to treat a dental issue.

Who can use DPV Health’s Public Dental Service?

• If you have a Concession Card or Health Care Card:
  You can get dental care at DPV Health. You will need to pay a small co-payment fee for each course of care, unless you qualify for free treatment.
• If you don not have a card:
  You are not eligible for public dental care at DPV Health.

How much will you pay?

The cost of public dental care has changed. You will need to pay a small fee for each course of care . This includes treatment at public dental clinics or when using a voucher.

Please note: These fees are set by Dental Health Services Victoria.

• Emergency care –$32 Flat fee per course of care
• General care – $32 per visit and per of course – to a maximum of $128.00 per course of care
• Dentures – $77.50 per denture – capped at $155.00 for a full upper and lower denture
• Children (0–12) – $39 per child, max $156 per family

• Fees per family will not exceed $156.00.

Important to Know

• Private health insurance does not pay for dental fees, even if you are an international student.
• If you need more treatment after an emergency visit, you may be referred to another community dental clinic or the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne.

To learn more about co-payments and who does not need to pay dental fees, visit the Department of Health website:  health.vic.gov.au/dental-health/victorias-public-dental-care-fees

How do I make an appointment?

To book an appointment at any of our dental sites please call 1300 234 263 and select Option 2. The service is available Mon-Fri, 8am – 4pm

Wait lists may apply for bookings. Priority is given according to the severity of condition.

Health professionals are requested to send referrals by:

Email: dentalq@dpvhealth.org.au

Additional information

Need an interpreter?

If you don not speak or understand English well, we can help.
We can organise a free interpreter for your dental appointment.

Please call us on 1300 234 263 at least 2 days before your visit.
Tell us what language you speak, and we will arrange someone to help you.

For Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander dental care

You can also get dental care at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS).
VAHS usually has shorter wait times, so you may be seen sooner.

For more information, visit vahs.org.au/dental   or call (03) 9419 3000 and press Option 4 for Dental.

Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS)

720 Swanston Street, Carlton
(03) 9419 3000 and press Option 4
dental@vahs.org.au