How fees are calculated
The fees at the Dental Hospital and Clinics are reduced (compared to other private providers of dental care) because patients are being cared for by students in training. In most circumstances the treatment takes longer. For example, a 45 minute appointment at a private dentist may take 90 minutes with a student.
Fees are calculated on an appointment basis, and you will be charged each time you visit us (although there are some exceptions for specialist treatment).
You will be given an estimated cost of treatment by the clinician or student after you have been assessed and before treatment starts.
Fee update February 2024
In 2023 we changed the way our fees were set and how patients paid. These changes were better for patients, staff and students. In 2024, we are rolling out more changes that will affect specialist care.
To support student teaching we need to ensure that we operate in a financially sustainable way. To enable this, we have moved to an appointment fee. This means you will know how much you need to pay and when.
This means:
- You will know how many appointments to expect
- You will know the costs for treatment up-front
- You can pay for your treatment on the day
- You will spend less time in clinics
The new fee structure has been in place since February 2023 for our undergraduate clinics and will be in place from 16 February 2024 in our postgraduate specialist clinics.
Our fees remain reduced (compared to other private providers of dental care) Your clinician/student will discuss costs with you at your initial appointment.
Payment is expected on the day of treatment on a per appointment basis (e.g. for undergraduate Dentistry clinics the fees are $126 per 1.5hr appointment or $95 if you hold a Community Services Card, and for undergraduate Oral Health clinics the charge is $32 per session or $24 if you have a Community Services Card.)
You may be eligible for a WINZ Special Needs Dental grant. You can check your eligibility on the WINZ website:
Dental treatments – Work and Income
Please let us know if you are eligible when you come for your first appointment.
What you need to know
Below is a detailed summary of what will change for you, depending on your current status as a patient of our Dental Hospital and clinics.
If you are a patient of a postgraduate student in a specialist clinic
Generally, appointment fees for postgraduate treatment are $200 per 1.5 hour appointment. The increased rate reflects that you are being treated by a fully qualified dentist who is studying to become a dental specialist. In some cases, for patients with complex treatment needs, your fees will be calculated based on the specific treatment you need, for example, complex prosthodontic treatment.
All patients will be provided with a treatment plan and cost estimate to support you to make an informed choice.
If you are attending the dental hospital and clinics for treatment in 2024 with an undergraduate dentistry student:
A treatment plan will be developed or updated for you and a treatment cost estimate provided. There will be a cost associated with this initial appointment, either $126 or $95 if you have a current Community Services Card, and costs will apply to subsequent appointments.
If you are receiving treatment under a treatment plan from a dentistry undergraduate student:
Regardless of the number of appointments taken to complete the treatment, the number of appointment fees ($126 or $95) you are charged will be capped to ensure you are not disadvantaged and reflect that we are a teaching hospital.
If, during your course of treatment, a new dental issue arises:
Your treatment plan and costs will be updated to reflect the addition to the original treatment plan.
If you are receiving treatment (scale and polish only) from an oral health undergraduate student:
Treatment will cost $32 per appointment or $24 if you have a Community Services Card. Regardless of the number of appointments taken to complete the treatment, the number of appointment fees you are charged will be capped to ensure you are not disadvantaged and reflect that we are a teaching hospital.
If you are a Community Services Card holder:
You are eligible for a 25 per cent reduced appointment fee if you are being treated by an undergraduate student
If you are a Community Services Card holder, a WINZ client, or a low-income earner:
You may be eligible for a WINZ Special Needs Dental Grant. You can check your eligibility at the WINZ website:
Dental treatment – Work and Income
If you are a patient with treatment covered under a funding scheme e.g. ACC, OSHA, or a Te Whatu Ora (previously DHB) contract:
The new fee structure does not impact you.
ACC and Community Services Cards
ACC subsidy
If your visit is accident-related, the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) may meet the cost of some or all of the treatment. If you had an accident which requires dental treatment, please tell us so that the ACC claim forms can be completed.
The Dental Hospital and Clinics will claim the cost of the treatment on your behalf. If ACC does not cover the full cost of the treatment, we will send you an invoice for the remaining amount.
Community Services Card discounts
Patients who hold a current Community Services Card may be eligible for subsidised treatment if you meet certain criteria. The Community Services Card discount is 25 per cent for fee-paying patients being seen by undergraduate students. If you have a Community Services Card, please show us at reception when you attend a clinic including Urgent Care.
WINZ
You may be eligible for a WINZ Special Needs Dental grant. You can check your eligibility at the WINZ website:
Dental treatment – Work and Income
Let our staff know if you are eligible when you come for your first appointment, and we will provide you with an estimate to give to WINZ.
How to pay
Payment is expected on the day of your appointment. Payments can be made at any Reception (cash, credit or EFTPOS).
If you are unsure of your account balance, your account number, or have other account queries, please give us a call:
Tel +64 3 479 8889
Pay via internet banking
- Bank account name: University of Otago
- Bank account number: 01-1839-0944124-00
- Please use your account number as the reference
- Please also include your name
Pay via telephone baking
- Bank account name: University of Otago
- Bank account number: 01-1839-0944124-00
- Please use your account number as the reference
Pay in-person
You can pay by EFTPOS, credit card or cash at our main (ground floor) reception, or at the reception desks on each floor (EFTPOS only), at the time of your appointment.
Pay at any ANZ branch
You can pay by cash at any ANZ branch:
- Bank account name: University of Otago
- Bank account number: 01-1839-0944124-00
- Please use your account number as the reference
- Please also include your name