At Flinders Dental Clinic, we often encounter questions about why we choose not to participate in the ‘preferred provider’ schemes offered by private health funds. It’s crucial to understand that being a ‘preferred provider’ does not necessarily mean higher standards of care or better sterilisation practices. Instead, any dentist can become a preferred provider simply by signing a contract and agreeing to the terms set by the health fund.
At Flinders Dental Clinic, we take a unique stance on preferred provider schemes. Rather than prioritising cost savings, we prioritise our patients’ best interests and the delivery of high-quality dental care. This is why we choose not to join such schemes, maintaining our freedom to deliver the care we believe our patients deserve.
One of the key reasons we opt out of the preferred provider system is to protect your freedom of choice as a patient. We believe your private health coverage should empower you to select your healthcare provider without the fear of receiving lower rebates. Unfortunately, preferred provider schemes can limit this freedom, offering higher rebates only to those who visit designated providers.
The practice mentioned above can coerce patients into selecting providers based on cost rather than quality or personal preference. At Flinders Dental Clinic, we believe that every patient deserves the best possible care, free from the influence of external contractual obligations.
At Flinders Dental Clinic, we are steadfast in our commitment to upholding the highest standards of dental care. Many preferred provider dentists cut costs by outsourcing lab work to overseas laboratories, which can compromise the quality of materials used in treatments. In contrast, we prioritise using Australian dental laboratories renowned for their exceptional standards and materials, ensuring you receive the best possible care.
Moreover, preferred provider contracts can pose risks. They often limit our ability to offer fee reductions and can lead to practices like over-servicing or even fraud. By not participating in these schemes, we ensure that our treatments are tailored to the genuine needs of our patients, upholding the integrity and quality of our services.
Routine maintenance of your teeth and early correction of any oral health problems, will significantly reduce any need for major treatments later on in life.