A Dental Prosthetist (DP) is a qualified and skilled member of the dental profession.
They are denture professionals and as such are the only registered health providers specifically trained to construct, fit and maintain dentures and provide all other professional denture care services.
All DP’s are required to be qualified as dental technicians before becoming eligible to be trained as a dental prosthetist so they all have the ability to actually construct your denture from scratch.
What are the benefits?
Referrals from dentist or doctors are not necessary but are welcome. By direct consultation your DP will provide and professionally fit your dentures or sporting mouth guards. Your DP will also maintain, repair and reline dentures as required in direct consultation with you.
Your DP, will personally consult, advise and assist you in all relevant aspects of your treatment and where necessary can consult and liaise with referring practitioners such as your GP or Dentist.
Will they save me time?
Your DP is the one who personally constructs your dentures so there is no middle man to deal with.
Every mouth is unique and requires personalized attention to enable denture design that will suit your individual situation.
Small details, such as the little space you may require between your front teeth, or the position of a particular tooth, are not lost in translation to another person so will look more natural.
When do I need a Dental Prosthetist(DP)?
Dentures, like natural teeth, need regular care and maintenance. You should make an appointment to consult your DP if your present dentures are either more than two years old or are causing you any discomfort.
Your DP will have an initial consultation at which an informed assessment and an estimate of cost required will be presented to you. Dentures must be assessed yearly to ensure proper function and satisfactory health of your mouth.
How important are dentures to my health?
The digestive system begins in the mouth. We all known that teeth are part of that digestive system as well as the saliva that we are supposed to mix with our food ias part of the digection process.
Unless we have all of our teeth or a denture substitute it is extremely difficult to mix the required amount of saliva with our food.
Can I claim from a Health Fund?
DPs are registered health care providers and as such are acknowledged as providers of the denture service by every Health Fund in Australia. You can claim a rebate from your Health Fund for most services your receive from a DP.
It is advisable to check the amount of your rebate with your health fund before commencing your treatment. Many DPs offer the convenience of direct debit electronic Health Fund claims for their patients.
Many DPs are also providers for Department of Veteran Affairs, Medicare or State Denture Schemes. Check with your DP when you make your booking.
What other services do DPs provide?
Denture prosthetists are also skilled at providing custom fitted mouth guards to protect your most valuable as set, your child and their natural teeth, as they enjoy their sport. Many parents are not aware that the cost of the mouth guard can be claimed from their Health Fund.
As an integral part of the dental team, DPs often practice in conjunction with a dentist or dental specialist, so are able to provide access to the full range of dental services including implants for dentures and immediate dentures. Your DP will refer you to the appropriate team member as required so you can be confident when you place your trust in a Dental Prosthetist!