Check Up
& Clean.

Your dentist will carry out a comprehensive examination — assessing each tooth individually, checking your gum health, bite, jaw joints and soft tissues, airway, and any signs of accelerated wear that need to be addressed. Where relevant, radiographs are taken to detect decay, bone levels and anything not visible to the eye. We may also take intra-oral photos to show any areas of concern. After the examination, we'll talk you through our findings clearly and honestly, then move into the scale and clean. You'll leave knowing exactly where your dental health stands and what, if anything, needs attention. For any planned treatment, you'll receive a full treatment plan outlining the timing, stages and cost of each appointment.

Never. Life gets in the way, and people miss dental visits for all kinds of reasons — cost, anxiety, time, circumstance. We understand that completely and we're always here to help, whenever you're ready. There is no judgement at Element Dental, only support.

For all new patients, we allocate a full hour. We'd rather take our time and do it properly than rush — and that extra time allows us to get to know you, understand your history, and make sure you leave feeling informed and comfortable.

We use the EMS No Pain scaler, which is specifically designed to minimise discomfort during cleaning. For the majority of patients there is no pain at all. Those with sensitive teeth may notice one or two sensitive spots, and for patients with significant sensitivity we have topical numbing gel available — and in some cases a small amount of local anaesthetic for the lower front teeth, which tend to be the most sensitive area. We always work with each person individually to make sure they're as comfortable as possible.

A scale and clean is the standard appointment — and what we carry out at every check-up. It combines two steps: an EMS ultrasonic instrument to remove hard deposits (tartar/calculus) and staining, followed by a polish to clear the softer biofilm layer that builds up on tooth surfaces. Together they leave your teeth thoroughly clean in a way that brushing and flossing at home simply can't replicate.

Bleeding during a clean is usually a sign of pre-existing inflammation in the gum tissue — healthy gums generally don't bleed. One or two isolated spots isn't uncommon and isn't cause for alarm, but your dentist will always note it and give you advice on how to improve things at home. If there's more widespread bleeding, it may indicate gum disease that warrants a closer look.

Most of our patients are on a 6 or 12-month routine, depending on their individual risk profile and how quickly deposits build up. Your dentist will recommend the right interval for you.

Not every time. Australian Dental Guidelines recommend small bitewing X-rays every two years to check between teeth and monitor existing restorations, and a larger film (OPG or CBCT) every five years to assess the broader structures of the jaw and teeth. We follow these guidelines and won't recommend radiographs unless they're clinically indicated.

Our standard check-up and clean (without X-rays) is $310 for adults and $210 for children under 16. A full breakdown of our fees is available in our Price Guide.

Yes — we bulk bill eligible patients under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), meaning no out-of-pocket cost for qualifying children.

Every fund is different, and within each fund there are multiple tiers of cover. The best thing to do is check your specific level of cover directly with your insurer — they can tell you exactly what you're entitled to and what your likely out-of-pocket will be.

We recommend a first visit at around two years of age. It's a brief, relaxed appointment — more of an introduction than an examination — with guidance for parents on brushing technique, diet and habits. Getting children comfortable with the dental environment early makes a meaningful difference to how they feel about dental visits for the rest of their lives.