The Australian Dental Association Ltd (ADA) supports the dental profession and promotes good oral health for the community. We provide advocacy, clinical guidance, education, professional support and public oral health information. Our work helps ensure high quality and safe dental care for all Australians.

Concerns or complaints about a registered dental practitioner should be directed to the national regulator, AHPRA or the Australian Dental Association Branch in your state.

A number of affiliate [link] societies and professional organisations represent the different dental specialties and sectors in Australia. These groups provide information about specialist training pathways, the scope of practice for each specialty and professional support. Please contact the relevant specialist society for more information.

Dental Anaesthesiology: Australian Society of Dental Anaesthesiology 

Dental Assistants: Dental Assistants Professional Association 

Dental Hygiene and Oral Health Therapy: Oral Health Association of Australia

Endodontics: Australian Society of Endodontology, Australian and New Zealand Academy of Endodontists

Forensic Odontology: Australian Society of Forensic Odontology

Implantology: Australasian Osseointegration Society Ltd, Australian Society of Implant Dentistry

Paediatric Dentistry: Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry, Australasian Academy of Paediatric Dentistry

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Australian and New Zealand Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Oral Medicine: Oral Medicine Academy of Australasia 

Oral Pathology: Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia 

Orthodontics: Australian Society of Orthodontists, Australasian Association of Orofacial Orthopaedics 

Periodontics: Australian Society of Periodontology, Australian & New Zealand Academy of Periodontists

Prosthodontics: Australian Dental Prosthetists Association Ltd, Australian Prosthodontic Society, Academy of Australian & New Zealand Prosthodontists

Radiology: Australian Academy of Dento-Maxillofacial Radiology

Sleep Dentistry: Australasian Sleep Association

Special Needs Dentistry: Australian Society of Special Care in Dentistry, Australia and New Zealand Academy for Special Needs Dentistry

You can contact the Australian Dental Association Health Foundation team for information about the Rebuilding Smiles program, including eligibility, participation and support. The ADAHF team can assist with enquiries and connect you with the appropriate program contacts.

We partner with selected suppliers through formal programs. Organisations can contact us to discuss partnership opportunities at advertising@ada.org.au

Being in pain is distressing. Please see below your options to help you get relief as soon as possible.

If the pain is severe, you are experiencing swelling, bleeding that won’t stop, or signs of infection (fever or spreading swelling), you should immediately go to the Emergency Department at your local hospital.

Below are contact points for public dental / emergency dental service across each Australian state and territory, depending on where you are located.

ACT: Central Health Intake or 02 5124 9977 

NSW: NSW Health or 1800 679 336

NT: Oral Health services or 1800 022 222

QLD: Queensland Health or 13 43 25 84

SA: SA Dental Outside of business hours call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 

TAS: Oral Health Services Tasmania or 1300 011 013 

VIC: Dental Health Services Victoria or 03 9341 1000 Melbourne metro or 1800 833 039 Outside Melbourne metro

WA: Dental Health Services or 08 9313 0555. After-hours emergency advice service: 1800 098 818

These contact details are current as at December 2025.

We do not provide clinical advice to the public. Patients should speak directly with their dentist. We can help you understand what to expect from dental care and how to find a registered practitioner.

The ADA does not recommend or regulate fees. Dentists independently set their own fees.

As a first step in following this up with your health fund, you should ask them to detail the reason/s for their decision to deny or reduce your rebate (this may be listed in the fine print of your policy). If you are dissatisfied with your health fund's response, complaints can be directed to the Commonwealth Private Health Insurance Ombudsman at www.ombudsman.gov.au/making-a-complaint or by phoning 1300 362 072.

If you would like to review whether your policy truly meets your dental needs and how it compares to other policies in the market head to time2switch.com.au.

You can find trustworthy, evidence based oral health information at teeth.org.au, the ADA’s public education website. It provides easy to understand guidance on common dental conditions, prevention, treatment options and tips for maintaining good oral health.