Frequently Asked Questions

Our Geelong dental clinic is at 21 Princes Highway, Norlane VIC 3214. We are located near North Shore, just minutes from North Shore Football Club, Northern Bay College and Water World.

Free on-site parking is available. The clinic is easy to reach from Geelong CBD, Newtown, Belmont, Highton, Lara, Corio and surrounding suburbs.

Get directions →

Norlane Dental is open six days a week:

• Monday – Thursday: 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM
• Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
• Saturday: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
• Sunday: Closed

For dental emergencies during opening hours, please call us on (03) 5278 2666.

We are a Geelong dental clinic serving patients from across the wider Geelong region, including:

• Norlane, North Geelong, North Shore
• Corio, Lara, Little River
• Newtown, Belmont, Highton, Grovedale
• Armstrong Creek, Ceres and surrounding suburbs

Many of our patients have been with us across multiple generations of their family.

Yes. We have free on-site car parking for all patients. The car park is at street level with disability access, so you do not need to deal with parking meters or hunt for a space.

The clinic is also accessible by public transport — we are on the Princes Highway, which is well-served by Geelong bus routes.

Yes. We offer interest-free dental payment plans through approved third-party providers, allowing you to spread the cost of treatment over weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments.

We also accept Afterpay for smaller treatments. Our reception team can talk you through the available options at your appointment.

Learn more about payment plans →

We accept all standard payment methods including EFTPOS, Visa, Mastercard, AMEX and cash. We use HICAPS for on-the-spot health fund claims, so you only pay the gap.

For approved patients, we also accept Afterpay and other interest-free payment plan providers.

Generally, Medicare does not cover most dental treatment for adults in Australia. The main exceptions are:

• The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), which provides eligible children aged 2–17 with a capped amount of dental services over two consecutive calendar years
• Certain hospital-based dental procedures that form part of broader medical care

For everything else, you will need to use private health insurance, a payment plan or pay privately. We are happy to talk you through your options.

Yes. We bulk bill all eligible children under the Medicare Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).

Eligible children aged 2 to 17 can receive a capped amount in covered dental services over two consecutive calendar years at no out-of-pocket cost. Covered services typically include:

• Examinations and check-ups
• Cleans and fluoride treatments
• Dental X-rays
• Fillings
• Extractions
• Root canal treatment

Cosmetic and orthodontic treatments are not covered under the CDBS.

Bring your Medicare card to your child’s first visit and we will check eligibility through Medicare for you.

Learn more about the CDBS →

Yes. We bulk bill all eligible children under the Medicare Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).

Eligible children aged 2 to 17 can receive a capped amount in covered dental services over two consecutive calendar years at no out-of-pocket cost. Covered services typically include:

• Examinations and check-ups
• Cleans and fluoride treatments
• Dental X-rays
• Fillings
• Extractions
• Root canal treatment

Cosmetic and orthodontic treatments are not covered under the CDBS.

Bring your Medicare card to your child’s first visit and we will check eligibility through Medicare for you.

Learn more about the CDBS →

HICAPS lets us claim your private health fund rebate at the time of your appointment, so you do not need to pay the full amount upfront and claim the rebate later.

After your treatment:

1. We swipe your health fund card through the HICAPS terminal
2. The system calculates your rebate
3. You only pay the remaining gap

Most major Australian health funds work with HICAPS.

We keep emergency appointment slots available each day for urgent cases such as severe toothache, knocked-out teeth, broken teeth, lost fillings, dental abscess and trauma to the mouth.

Call us on (03) 5278 2666 as early in the day as possible — we will do our best to see you the same day where clinically appropriate.

For after-hours emergencies, call us first; if we cannot help immediately we will direct you to an appropriate after-hours service.

Time matters. If a tooth is knocked out:

1. Pick the tooth up by the crown (the top), not the root
2. If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse with milk or saline (avoid water if possible)
3. Try to place it back in the socket if you can
4. If you cannot, store it in milk or in your saliva (cheek pouch) — never water
5. Call us immediately on (03) 5278 2666

The sooner the tooth is reimplanted by a dentist, the better the chance it can be saved.

A dental emergency may include:

• Severe or persistent toothache
• A knocked-out or dislodged tooth
• A broken or chipped tooth causing pain
• Lost crown or filling
• Dental abscess (swelling, pus, fever)
• Uncontrolled bleeding from the mouth or gums
• Severe pain after recent dental treatment
• Trauma to the mouth or jaw

If you are unsure whether your situation is an emergency, call us on (03) 5278 2666 and our team will help you decide on the next step.

Yes. Many of our patients come to us specifically because of dental anxiety. We offer a range of options to help manage anxiety, including:

• Laughing gas (nitrous oxide) for mild anxiety
• Behavioural anxiety management techniques
• Treatment under general anaesthesia, in partnership with Geelong Day Surgery, for complex treatment or severe phobia

Tell us about your concerns when you book — we will plan your visit around making you comfortable.

Learn about sleep dentistry →

Yes. Our team includes female dentists. If you would prefer a female dentist for your appointment, please let us know when you book, and we will arrange this where possible.

The Australian Dental Association recommends a child’s first dental visit by their first birthday, or within six months of their first tooth coming through — whichever is sooner.

The first visit is mostly about getting your child comfortable in the dental chair and giving you advice on home oral care. We are gentle, friendly, and used to nervous little ones.

Visits for eligible children may be bulk billed under the Medicare Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).

Children’s dentistry →

The Australian Dental Association generally recommends a dental check-up every six months for most adults and children.

Patients with a history of gum disease, high decay risk or other conditions may need more frequent visits. Your dentist will recommend a personalised schedule after your initial examination.

No. Many of our new patients come to us after years away from dental care, often because of past experiences, anxiety, cost concerns, or simply life getting in the way.

We will not judge you. Your first visit is a fresh start. We focus on where your oral health is now and where you want it to go — not on the past.

We will explain what we find, give you options, and let you decide what to do and when.

Your first visit usually takes 45 to 60 minutes. We will:

1. Welcome you and take your medical and dental history
2. Take digital X-rays and intra-oral photos where clinically indicated
3. Carry out a thorough examination of your teeth, gums and bite
4. Provide a scale and clean if appropriate
5. Discuss any findings with you, including photos so you can see what we are seeing
6. Provide a written treatment plan with clear pricing if any further work is recommended

You are never under pressure to proceed — take the plan home and decide in your own time.

There are three ways to book:

1. Online: book any time at our online booking page
2. By phone: call us on (03) 5278 2666 during opening hours
3. In person: visit us at 21 Princes Highway, Norlane

New patients are always welcome.

Book online now →