Bupa has announced that, in a new cost-of-living initiative, it will offer gap-free dental fillings at Bupa Dental clinics for its eligible health insurance members.
The members will receive no out-of-pocket costs for general dental fillings at Bupa Dental clinics.
Members with eligible Extras cover who attend participating Bupa Dental clinics will also receive a no-gap experience across 15 standard dental services such as twice-yearly check-ups, X-Rays and fitted mouthguards.
"The initiative is aimed at providing relief against ongoing household budget challenges while also encouraging preventive dental care," said the company.
The announcement comes amidst research from the Australian Dental Association (ADA) suggesting one in three Australian adults have untreated tooth decay, along with one in nine children.
Bupa Health Insurance managing director Chris Carroll said the initiative would save members money. According to the ADA, the average cost of a general dental filling in 2022 was $ 220.
“We’re always looking at ways to help our members get more value from their private health insurance and we expect this will be a welcome offer, especially given the ongoing cost of living climate,” said Mr Carroll.
“As a healthcare partner, our focus is on supporting the health and wellbeing of our members and I’m pleased we’re able to increase member access to gap-free experiences.”
Dental is the most common extras service used, with 1.66 million Bupa members making a claim so far this year.
Bupa Dental Care managing director, Dr Ros Blakley, said, “By focusing on prevention and breaking down cost barriers, our aim is to help people maintain optimal oral health which we know is closely linked to general health.
“A visit to the dentist means a whole lot more than a simple clean and a search for cavities. We can also look for signs of oral cancer, oral infections and a range of other conditions that can have a significant impact on your health if not addressed early.”