Fee calculation and payment
The fees at the Faculty of Dentistry are reduced (compared to other private providers of dental care) to reflect that patients are being cared for by students in training. In some circumstances the treatment may take longer or more visits are required as the faculty is primarily a teaching hospital for students.
The Faculty of Dentistry will give you the estimated cost of treatment after you have been assessed and before treatment commences.
The clinician or student will discuss the fees with you prior to any treatment commencing. A full oral examination including X-rays is required to identify what treatment is required to create a treatment plan to achieve oral health fitness. Fees are calculated on a sessional basis so you will be charged at each appointment.
Fee structure update February 2023
To continue providing a beneficial service to our community, we need to ensure that we operate in a financially sustainable way. The current system is not working the way it was intended for a range of reasons. Based on feedback from our patients and a review of our systems and processes, we have made improvements to the way fees are set, communicated, and processed. This will result in a better overall experience for our patients, and the staff and students who treat them.
This is not a change to the level of service we provide our patients; we are simply changing our fee structure for undergraduate student appointments. The new fee structure reflects an appointment fee approach and is simpler for everyone to understand and apply. Rather than receiving a large bill at the end of treatment, patients will pay per appointment making treatment easier to budget for. Our fees are reduced (compared to other private providers of dental care) where patients are being cared for by trainee dentists, dental therapists, and specialists.
Patients will be informed at their appointment of any applicable fees. Where payment is required, payment is expected on the day of treatment on a per appointment basis (e.g. for undergraduate Dentistry clinics the fees are $120 per 1.5hr appointment or $90 if you hold a Community Services Card, and for undergraduate Oral Health clinics the charge is $30 per session or $22.50 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.
The new fee structure will commence from 27 February 2023.
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 clinics.
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.
If you are an existing patient of a postgraduate student or a specialist clinician:
The new fee structure does not impact you.
If you are an existing patient of an undergraduate student with an existing treatment plan:
Your treatment plan will be updated for you during your first appointment in 2023 and a treatment cost estimate provided. There will be no cost associated with this initial appointment, fees will apply to subsequent appointments.
If you are a new patient or commencing a new treatment plan in 2023 with an undergraduate dentistry student:
A treatment plan will be developed for you and a treatment cost estimate provided. There will be a cost associated with this initial appointment, either $120 or $90 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 ($120 or $90) 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 $30 per appointment or $22.50 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:
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 Faculty of Dentistry 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.
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 Ground Floor Reception (cash, credit or EFTPOS), or at the reception desks on each floor (EFTPOS only).
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
