Access Affordable Dental Care with Dental Health Services Support

Eligibility for the Dental Health Services (DHS) program is a key concern for many. It’s vital to understand who can benefit from these services, as outlined below:

• Adults aged 17 and over:
  Eligibility requires a current Health Care or Pension Concession Card.
• Children aged 0 to 4:
  These young children qualify if their name appears on their parent’s Health Care or Pension Concession Card.

These criteria help those in need, particularly the financially and geographically disadvantaged, to access necessary dental care. Potential beneficiaries should check their eligibility status to manage their dental health effectively.

The DHS program supports a broad range of dental treatments across several service streams. Here’s an overview:

• School Dental Service (SDS):
  This service provides free dental care to students aged five to 16 or until the end of Year 11. It is available to students attending Department of Education-recognised schools and is delivered through fixed and mobile dental therapy centres.
• General Dental Service:
  This service offers subsidised general and emergency dental care to Western Australians. It is available to those who hold a Health Care or Pension Concession card, including children aged zero to four listed on a parent’s card.
• Special Dental Services:
  These services are available for aged care facility residents and prisoners. It also includes eligible Disability Services Commission clients and patients at Royal Perth and Graylands Hospitals.
• Dental Subsidy Schemes:
  This comprises the Country Patients Dental Subsidy Scheme and Metropolitan Patients Dental Subsidy Scheme. There is also a Private Orthodontic Subsidy Scheme that provides care through public and private providers.

Patients and families who qualify can utilise these DHS services to manage their dental health effectively. Prospective patients need to explore these options to fully maximise the benefits provided by the DHS.