As the end of the year approaches, many Australians overlook something important — the dental benefits included in your private health insurance (Extras Cover) are about to reset!
If you haven’t scheduled your routine check-up, cleaning, or any dental treatment this year, now until December 31st is your last chance to maximise your benefits.
This article explains why you should book your dental appointment before the year ends and how to ensure you don’t waste the insurance benefits you’ve already paid for.
Why Do Dental Benefits Reset at the End of the Year?
Most Australian private health insurance plans operate on a calendar-year basis, resetting annual limits on January 1st.
This means: Unused benefits do not roll over, you won’t receive a refund for unused limits, and a new annual limit starts each year
In other words, any unused dental benefits will automatically expire at year-end.
Dental Benefits You May Still Have Available
✔ General Dental: Comprehensive exam, scale and clean, dental X-rays and fluoride treatment
✔ Major Dental: Fillings, root canal treatment, wisdom tooth extraction and crowns and bridges
✔ Orthodontics: Invisalign and traditional braces
Most of these categories follow annual limits — if you don’t use them before the year ends, they will reset to zero.
Why You Should Book Your Dental Appointment Before Year-End
1. Avoid wasting the insurance you’ve already paid for
You pay premiums all year long. Not using your benefits is essentially giving money back to your insurer.
2. Year-end appointments fill up quickly
October to December is the busiest time for dental clinics. The later you book, the harder it is to secure a spot.
3. A yearly check-up helps detect early problems
Issues like gum inflammation, tartar buildup, or early cavities are easier and cheaper to treat when caught early.
4. Spread your treatments across two years and save more
For example:
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This year: check-up and clean
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Next year: major dental work
This allows you to use two years of benefits, reducing out-of-pocket costs.
Happy Dentistry Welcomes All Major Health Funds
Whether you’re with Bupa, Medibank, HCF, NIB, AHM, HBF, or any other major health fund, Happy Dentistry accepts and welcomes them all, and we are preferred providers of all major health funds.
Our team can also assist you in checking your on-the-spot rebate if you’re unsure about your dental coverage.
Book Your Appointment Now
Avoid losing your unused benefits — book early to secure your spot before the year-end reset.
We’re here to help you make the most of your dental insurance and maintain a healthy smile.