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In recent times, some dental practitioners have come under scrutiny for allegedly bending the rules to promote unnecessary or excessively costly treatments. Authorities are growing concerned about these practices, which often exploit vulnerable individuals.
For instance, a mother from Nelson Bay in New South Wales had struggled with self-esteem issues for years, primarily due to the gradual deterioration of her upper teeth. She had long dreamed of restoring her smile but found herself unable to afford the necessary dental work.
Her fortunes seemed to change when she discovered an advertisement on Facebook from Supercare Dental and Cosmetics, a clinic based in New South Wales. The ad promised to assist patients in accessing their superannuation funds to cover dental expenses, offering what seemed to be a viable path to achieving the dental care she desperately needed.
Initially, she sought to replace only her upper teeth with dentures. However, during her visit, the clinic’s staff recommended that she undergo a complete replacement of both her upper and lower teeth, a suggestion that led her to reconsider her original plan.
This situation highlights a broader issue, one where some dental professionals are potentially overstepping ethical boundaries by promoting more extensive and costly procedures than what might be necessary, raising questions about the balance between patient care and business practices in the dental industry.
Melinda Amourous paid tens of thousands of dollars for dental work that was never completed. Source: Supplied
“They basically talked me into having a matching smile,” she told SBS News.
But more than three years later, Amourous says her dream of a perfect smile has turned into a nightmare.
Melinda Amourous had to use superglue to hold in her broken dentures. Source: Supplied
She described experiencing excruciating pain during a four-and-a-half-hour procedure — conducted under local anaesthetic — to remove her teeth.
Dozens of emails and messages sent to Supercare asking that her teeth be repaired or she be given a refund have gone unanswered.
Hundreds of patients left out of pocket
But after a kidney cancer diagnosis, he said his doctors advised him to cancel the procedure despite already having his teeth removed.
Peter Hazell was left without teeth after Supercare went into voluntary administration. Source: Supplied
He said he accepted an offer to have dentures instead, with the rest of the money refunded in weekly $10,000 instalments.
Usman previously told A Current Affair she denied wrongdoing and was committed to completing procedures that had been paid for.
Positive experience for others
Melbourne man Damian Cody broke some of his back teeth from grinding them while he slept.
Damian Cody withdrew $6,000 from his super for dental treatment and has no regrets. Source: SBS News
“It felt like when you get something stuck in your teeth, I was hyper aware of that, I was worried about my tooth totally breaking apart because I heard all the horror stories,” he told SBS News.
“[Withdrawing super for dental work] was totally worth it,” he said.
Growing trend of early super access
“I want to make it clear, compassionate release of super should only be considered as a last resort, where all other options of paying for the eligible expenses have been exhausted.”
“This includes calling on practitioners to ensure they are meeting their obligations and acting on notifications we receive in relation to the scheme.”
Early super users risk ‘massively overpaying’
He said his organisation had also noticed some dentists were charging more for patients paying with super.
