In Australia, some people can access public dental care, but the vast majority of the population needs to visit a private practice.
They pay from their own pocket, sometimes helped by their private health insurance.
Dr Deborah Cole, CEO of Dental Health Services Victoria, a public oral health agency, explains that Medicare doesn't cover basic dental care like cleaning, check-ups or fillings.
Medicare will only cover some dental services if they are necessary to protect your general health.
When it comes to paying for dental services, fees vary a lot depending on the dentist and where you live.
According to the Australian Dental Association, the most expensive place for a check-up is the Northern Territory, and the least expensive is Tasmania.
A normal oral exam with a scale, clean and a fluoride treatment should cost around two hundred dollars.
When choosing the right dentist for you, Tom Godfrey, spokesperson for consumer advocacy group Choice, recommends shopping around and ask for prices before booking an appointment.
Taking an appointment at a dentistry school could save patients money as their fees are generally lower than private practices.
Tom Godfrey says good health insurance can reduce the bill, but it will rarely cover the whole cost.
However, Tom Godfrey insists that getting extras cover with your private health insurance is only worth it if you plan to use it on several things like optical, physiotherapy, podiatry.
He says those who are only getting extra insurance coverage for their dental needs are better off just paying the bill.
Although dental care can be expensive for adults, it's more affordable for children.
Almost all Australian children with Medicare can benefit from the Australian Government's Child Dental Benefits Schedule.
Parents receive a thousand dollars per child to be used over two years for dental care.
Deborah Cole says public dental care is only available to a small percentage of the population.
"Every state has slightly different eligibility criteria, but predominantly, if you have a healthcare card or a pension card, you're eligible. In Victoria, if you're a refugee or an asylum seeker, we will provide you with care as well. In other states it's a little bit different, but most of them predominantly would provide emergency care," she said.
For more information about public dental services in your state or territory, visit your State Health Department's website.
