Veterans’ Affairs
At Canberra Dental Care we believe it is important to honour those who have given so much to this country. This is why we are registered through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).
What do you need to do?
When you make your first appointment let us know you are a veteran. This way we can make sure to have the paperwork ready for your visit. If you have been before we will have this information already.
Make sure to bring your Veterans’ Affairs card with you.
Our dental practice is located on the ground floor with no steps to access any part of the space. There is car parking underneath the building (operated by Wilson’s) or meter parking outside. There is a drop off zone outside the practice if you arrive by taxi or a friend/family member. The walk from the car to the front door is approximately 50m.
What you will receive
First and foremost you will receive the exact same level of treatment that all our patients receive. We treat all our patients with the same professional service, no matter who is paying the bill.
What you do need to be aware of is that different levels receive different funding. Gold Card holders will usually have all their dental treatments funded, provided the dentist establishes a clinical need for the treatment, while white card holders receive services in line with their recognised conditions.
Depending on the types of treatment you need, the dentist will either be able to perform the work immediately and without approval from the DVA, or will need to seek approval from the department before proceeding. For some treatments approval is necessary. This is usually the more complicated work such as implants or prostheses. Routine procedures such as dental examinations, X-rays and temporary crowns can be done without delay.
The good news is that many general dental treatments don’t require approval.
Annual treatment limits
For some treatments there is a annual cap. Your dentist will be able to tell you what falls into this category and how much money you have available to spend each year on services. Hygienist appointments are covered by the DVA scheme as well as dental appointments.
Some veterans are exempt from these limits:
- Ex-prisoners of war
- White Card holders (specific conditions) with a related accepted disability
- White Card holders (specific conditions) with diagnosed malignant tumour that affects your teeth, mouth or gums
Questions
Our dentists see many VTA patients and are able to provide advice about the types of treatments that need approval or have annual caps. However, if you are unsure or want to check you can always contact the department directly, either on their website or by phone on 1800 555 254.