Health funds & preferred providers
Health fund dentist in Toowoomba
Southside Dental Toowoomba is a preferred provider for HCF, nib, CBHS and Westfund. If you're with one of these funds, you'll generally get more back on your treatment with us — and your regular check-up and clean is often covered in full. We accept every health fund and claim on the spot, so you only pay the gap.
What "preferred provider" actually means
A preferred provider (some funds call it a network or "choice" provider) is a dental practice that has an agreement with a particular health fund. In return for meeting the fund's service standards and agreeing to its fee arrangements, the fund pays its members a higher benefit when they're treated at that practice.
In practical terms, being a member of one of our preferred funds usually means two things:
- Your check-up and clean is often fully covered. Each fund runs a program that covers selected preventive items — typically the examination, scale and clean, fluoride and routine X-rays — with no out-of-pocket cost, up to your annual limit.
- You get a higher rebate on other treatment. Fillings, crowns, root canals and so on attract a larger benefit than the same fund would pay at a non-preferred practice. There will still usually be a gap on these.
How much you actually get back depends on your level of extras cover, any waiting periods, and your remaining annual limit — which is why we always suggest checking before you book.
The funds we're a preferred provider for
Preferred provider
HCF — More for Teeth
HCF members with extras cover can have check-ups and cleans covered under the More for Teeth program at a participating dentist, subject to annual limits.
Preferred provider
nib — First Choice
nib members with dental extras get more back at a First Choice dentist, including selected preventive care, depending on their level of cover.
Preferred provider
CBHS — Choice Network
CBHS members on eligible extras policies can have selected preventive services — check-ups, scales, cleans and fluoride — covered at a Choice Network dentist.
Preferred provider
Westfund — Provider of Choice
Westfund members on extras or combined cover can have selected preventive dental — check-ups, scales, cleans, X-rays and fluoride — covered at a Provider of Choice dentist, up to their annual limit.
Program details are set by each fund and can change. The links above go to the fund's own website so you can confirm current terms and verify that we're listed as a provider.
Not sure what you're covered for? We'll check for you
You're welcome to call your fund directly — quote the item codes from our pricing page for the treatment you're asking about. But you don't have to. If you'd rather we did the legwork:
- Call us on 07 4635 1444, or send your membership details through our contact form.
- Tell us your fund and the treatment you're thinking about — or simply that you'd like a check-up and clean.
- We'll run a quote through HICAPS and tell you what your fund will pay and what, if anything, you'd pay on the day — before you book.
We're happy to do this for any fund, not only the four we're a preferred provider for.
With any fund, we claim on the spot
Bring your health fund card to your appointment and we'll process the claim through HICAPS at reception. Your fund's benefit comes off the bill immediately and you pay only the remaining gap — no paperwork, no waiting for a refund. This works for every Australian health fund, whether or not we're a preferred provider for it.
Whoever you're with (or if you have no cover at all), you'll always receive a written quote and treatment plan before any treatment begins. See our full pricing guide.
Other ways your care may be covered
DVA Gold Card
We bill the Department of Veterans' Affairs directly, with no out-of-pocket cost for dental treatment. We confirm your cover with DVA before treatment begins. See DVA on our pricing page.
Child Dental Benefits Schedule
Eligible children aged 1–17 can be bulk billed through Medicare for check-ups, cleans, fillings and more. Read our plain-English CDBS guide or see children's dentistry.
Payment plans
For larger treatment, or if you don't have extras cover, we offer payment plans from $20 a week through Denticare, Zip and Afterpay.
Frequently asked questions
Is my check-up and clean free if I'm with HCF, nib, CBHS or Westfund?
Often, yes — each of these funds runs a program that covers selected preventive items in full at a preferred provider. Whether yours is covered depends on your level of extras cover, waiting periods and how much of your annual limit is left. Check with your fund, or call us and we'll check for you.
I'm with Bupa, Medibank or another fund. Can I still come to you?
Absolutely. We accept all health funds and claim on the spot through HICAPS. You'll receive your fund's standard benefit rather than a preferred-provider rate, and you pay the gap on the day.
What do I need to bring?
Just your health fund card — physical or digital. If you want a quote beforehand, your membership number is enough for us to check your cover.
Can you tell me exactly what I'll pay before I book?
For a check-up and clean, usually yes — we can run a HICAPS quote on your membership number. For other treatment we need to examine the tooth first, after which you'll get a written quote showing the fund's contribution and your gap.
Does the $199 new patient offer work with my health fund?
Yes. The new patient offer is claimable through your fund like any other visit — we claim the rebate on the spot, and $199 is the most you'll pay regardless of fund.
How do I check that you're listed as a preferred provider?
Search "Southside Dental Toowoomba" in your fund's find-a-provider tool (linked in the cards above), or ask your fund directly. If anything looks out of date, let us know.
Ready to book?
New to the practice? Start with the $199 new patient offer. Existing patients can book their 6-monthly check-up and clean online any time. And if you'd like us to check your cover first, just get in touch.