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    Public vs Private Dental Care in Tamworth

    Who can use the public dental service, how to book it, and how private care and health funds compare

    In Tamworth you can see a dentist through the public dental service run by Hunter New England Local Health District, or at a private practice such as ours. The public service is free for people who are eligible, while private care is open to everyone and is often partly covered by health fund extras.

    Oasis Smiles Dental is a private practice and is not part of the public dental service. This guide sets out how both work so you can choose what suits you. The public-system details come from NSW Health and Services Australia, linked under Sources at the end of this page.

    The Public Dental Service in Tamworth

    Hunter New England Local Health District runs public dental clinics across the region, including Tamworth Hospital Dental on Johnston Street, Tamworth, and Gunnedah Hospital Dental at 27 Marquis Street, Gunnedah. The service covers emergency care, check-ups, general and preventive treatment, and dentures.

    How to book

    Call the Oral Health Contact Centre on 1800 679 336 between 8:30am and 4:30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). Have your home postcode, Medicare card and concession card details ready.

    Who is eligible

    • Children: NSW residents aged 0 to 17 who are eligible for Medicare. A parent or guardian signs a Child Dental Benefits Schedule consent form so NSW Health can bulk bill Medicare.
    • Adults: NSW residents who are eligible for Medicare and hold, or are listed as a dependant on, a Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.

    Waiting times

    Public dental patients are triaged. People with urgent dental conditions are treated sooner, and there may be a wait for routine care. NSW Health sets out the maximum waiting times in its Oral Health Access policy directive (opens in new tab).

    In an emergency: if you have trouble breathing or think you have a medical emergency, call Triple Zero (000) or go to the nearest emergency department.

    The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)

    The CDBS is a Medicare program run by Services Australia. For 2026 it covers up to $1,158 per eligible child over 2 consecutive calendar years for basic dental services. The cap is indexed each year on 1 January.

    A child is eligible if they are 0 to 17 for at least one day of the calendar year, are eligible for Medicare, and they or a parent, carer or guardian get an eligible payment from Services Australia at least once in the year. Check the full eligibility rules (opens in new tab).

    It covers check-ups, X-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals and extractions. It doesn't cover orthodontic work, cosmetic work or dental services in a hospital.

    You can use the CDBS at public clinics and at private dentists that accept it. At Oasis Smiles Dental we bulk bill eligible services under the CDBS, so there's no out-of-pocket cost for covered treatment. See our children's dentistry page for what a visit involves.

    Private Dental Care and Health Funds

    Anyone can book with a private dentist, with no eligibility rules and no public waiting list. Private practices set their own fees. If you have private health insurance with extras cover, your fund pays a benefit towards eligible treatment and you pay the gap.

    At Oasis Smiles Dental:

    • We accept all major health funds, with HICAPS on-site so you can claim on the spot.
    • We bulk bill eligible children under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.
    • We accept DVA Gold and White cards.
    • Afterpay, Humm and DentiCare payment plans, plus Access My Super.
    • We're open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm. For a same-day emergency appointment, call before 1pm. After 1pm, ring anyway, as gaps sometimes open up later in the day.

    Ask us for a quote before treatment starts. See payment options for details.

    Public and Private Care at a Glance

    TopicPublic dental servicePrivate dentist
    Who can use itNSW children under 18, and adults with a Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card or Commonwealth Seniors Health CardAnyone
    CostFree for eligible patientsPrivate fees. Health fund members claim their extras benefit and pay the gap. CDBS-eligible children can be bulk billed
    Waiting timeTriaged: urgent problems are seen sooner, and there may be a wait for routine careYou book a time that suits you, with no public waiting list
    How to bookCall the Oral Health Contact Centre on 1800 679 336Book online or call us on (02) 6766 2668

    Which Option Suits You?

    If you hold an eligible concession card and are happy to wait for routine care, the public service may suit you. Call 1800 679 336 to discuss your needs.

    If you aren't eligible, want to choose your appointment time, or would rather not wait, a private dentist may suit you better. We're happy to talk through costs, health fund claims and payment plans before any treatment.

    Public dental: 1800 679 336

    Our payment options

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Public dental appointments in Hunter New England are booked through the Oral Health Contact Centre on 1800 679 336, 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. Have your Medicare and concession card details ready when you call.

    Tamworth Hospital Dental is on Johnston Street, Tamworth. Appointments are made through the Hunter New England Oral Health Contact Centre on 1800 679 336. Oasis Smiles Dental is a private practice and is not part of the hospital clinic.

    NSW residents under 18 who are eligible for Medicare, and adults who are NSW residents, eligible for Medicare and hold (or are listed as a dependant on) a Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.

    Yes. Patients are triaged, so people with urgent dental problems are seen sooner and there may be a wait for routine care. NSW Health publishes the maximum waiting times in its Oral Health Access policy directive.

    Yes, if your child is eligible. Oasis Smiles Dental bulk bills eligible services under the CDBS, so there's no out-of-pocket cost for covered treatment. For 2026 the CDBS covers up to $1,158 per eligible child over 2 calendar years.

    No. You can book with us directly online or by calling (02) 6766 2668.

    Sources

    Public dental and CDBS information checked on 28 October 2026.

    Prefer to See a Private Dentist?

    Book online in a few minutes, or call us on (02) 6766 2668.

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