The Gum Studio is an independent practice.
We are proudly independent and accept all patients and not loyal to any one health fund or third party.
At The Gum Studio we encourage our patients to explore their options and do their research and hold private health insurance, only if they feel it is appropriate for their situation. It is important for patients to read the ‘fine print’ as there are usually hidden catches with health insurance companies.
Some patients prefer to avoid health insurance premiums altogether as the value to them is minimal compared to the premium paid and instead put money aside in an interest earning account for their dental treatment and use it as they require it.
In periodontics, regular preventive maintenance appointments helps to keep the cost of dental treatment more predictable and can also prevent some dental problems from occurring.
The important thing to understand is that health insurance companies may not have the same level of interest in your health care that you and your periodontist have.
At The Gum Studio we accept and treat all patients whether they have private health insurance or not.
It is important to note that the term “preferred provider” is not a reflection of the quality of the dental practice, their standard of clinical care, or the skills or ability of the dentist(s).
A preferred provider is a dental practitioner, or a dental practice, who has entered into a contract with a particular health insurance company. By entering into the contract, the dental practitioner, or practice, agrees to accept a fee schedule and any associated terms and conditions as determined by the respective health fund. This means the dentist, or dental practice, agrees to charge set fees for specific services to members of that health fund.
Dentists, or dental practices, can enter into multiple different contracts with multiple health insurance companies.
So, dentists, and dental practices, who choose to be preferred providers are actually contracted to the health fund.
The dentist, or dental practice, then become a “preferred provider” for that health fund. The health fund deems them a “preferred provider” because they have agreed to meet the fee criteria set by the health fund, and have agreed to be contractually bound by the health fund. The term “preferred provider” is not a reflection of the quality of the practice, or the skills or ability of the dental service provider(s).
In return for becoming a “preferred provider”, the health insurance company ‘recommends’ the “preferred provider” dentist/practice, and refers their members to that dentist/practice.
The health fund may also advertise/incentivise “no out-of-pocket expenses” or “reduced out-of-pocket expenses” to their members, but only if you see one of their “preferred provider” dentists.
Some private health insurance companies actually own the practices that are “preferred providers”, and employ the dental practitioners. This may reflect a conflict of interest and not in the patients best interest.
At The Gum Studio we strongly believe that private health insurance companies should not influence their members’ rights to choose the dental practice, and dentist, providing their care.
Patients should be free to choose a dentist they feel comfortable seeing, rather than who the health fund ‘recommends’ them to see.
Further, patients should not be penalised for choosing to attend a dentist whom has elected to remain clinically and financially independent from a health insurance company.
The Gum Studio is proudly independent.
We have elected to remain a clinically and financially independent dental service provider.
Providing optimal patient care that is individually tailored to each patient’s needs is our top priority, and at The Gum Studio you will receive uncompromised service and treatment.
The services we deliver to our patients have no constraints, and cannot be influenced by any third party.
There are multiple reasons why we have chosen not to become a “preferred provider”, these include:
We are dedicated to providing superior service and high-quality treatment to our patients, and we are not willing to compromise on the quality of our service or materials.
We are committed to providing personalised, thorough care. We get to know our patients, and their families, individually. Our appointments are not rushed, and we take the time to ensure our patients are feeling relaxed and comfortable before, during and after treatment, and they feel completely satisfied with their treatment direction.
We believe our services and treatment should only ever by influenced by our values and each patient’s individual needs, desires and situation. Not by a third party such as a health insurance company.
Our belief that patients should be free to choose their own dentist with no influence from their health insurance company is supported by the Australian Dental Association (ADA).
For further information please see: