Australia 2026 pricing guide — compare cities, health fund cover, and bulk billing options
A professional scale and clean (teeth cleaning) typically costs $130–$220 for the cleaning alone (ADA item 114), or $250–$400 as a bundled check-up appointment. Prices vary by city, clinic type, and whether you hold private health insurance. Medicare does not cover routine dental care for adults.
Reviewed by the dentistrynearme.au editorial team. Last updated June 2026. Prices are based on ADA fee surveys and publicly listed clinic rates across Australia.
| City | Typical Price Range | Find Dentists |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $180 – $380 | Browse → |
| Melbourne | $160 – $330 | Browse → |
| Brisbane | $150 – $300 | Browse → |
| Adelaide | $140 – $280 | Browse → |
| Perth | $150 – $295 | Browse → |
| Gold Coast | $140 – $270 | Browse → |
| Canberra | $170 – $320 | Browse → |
Bundled check-up + scale & clean + bitewing X-rays. Item 114 (clean only) is $130–$220.
The Australian Dental Association (ADA) publishes annual fee surveys across all procedure codes. The table below shows the item numbers your dentist bills and the typical fee range:
| ADA Item | Description | Typical Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 011 | Initial consultation | $60–$120 |
| 012 | Periodic (recall) examination | $40–$90 |
| 022 | Bitewing X-ray (per film) | $30–$55 |
| 114 | Scale and clean (prophylaxis) | $130–$220 |
| 121 | Fluoride treatment | $20–$40 |
Private health extras: Most basic private health extras policies cover scale and cleans under "General Dental". After claiming through major funds (Bupa, Medibank, HCF, NIB), out-of-pocket costs are typically $0–$80 per visit, subject to annual limits. Annual limits usually reset 1 January or 1 July — check your fund schedule before booking.
Medicare / CDBS: Medicare does not cover routine dental care for Australian adults. Children aged 2–17 eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part A may access the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS): up to $1,132 in dental services over two years, including scale and cleans, at bulk billing rates. Concession card holders may access public dental services with lengthy waiting lists.
The Australian Dental Association recommends a professional clean every 6–12 months for most adults. Patients with active gum disease or heavy tartar buildup may need cleaning every 3–4 months. Your dentist will advise the right frequency based on your individual oral health at each recall appointment.
The item 114 fee ($130–$220) covers the cleaning itself. Most appointments also include a periodic examination (item 012: $40–$90) and bitewing X-rays (item 022: $30–$55 per film). A first-visit appointment adds the item 011 initial consultation fee ($60–$120). A full check-up, clean, and two X-rays can total $280–$420 even at competitively priced clinics.
Yes. Scale and clean, prophylaxis, prophy, and "teeth cleaning" all describe removal of plaque and calculus (tartar) above the gumline, followed by polishing. Below-the-gumline (subgingival) scaling for gum disease is a separate procedure coded as item 221 or 222 and priced higher ($200–$600).
No. Medicare does not fund routine dental care for Australian adults. DVA card holders and eligible concession card holders can access public dental services through state health departments, but waiting lists of 12–24 months are common. Private health extras insurance is the main way adults reduce dental costs.
Adelaide, the Gold Coast, and outer-suburban Brisbane and Perth generally have the lowest prices — a bundled check-up and clean can be $140–$250 at competitive clinics. Sydney CBD and Canberra tend to be the most expensive, often $300–$400 at premium practices. Suburban locations within any city are typically 15–30% cheaper than CBD practices.
Prices are estimates based on publicly available data, ADA fee surveys, and listed clinic rates. Actual costs vary by clinic, case complexity, and health fund. Always obtain a written treatment plan before proceeding. Our editorial policy.