nib's new No Gap dental for more than 1 million Aussies

• nib's new No Gap dental network is available to 1.2 million members

• members get 100% back on preventative dental checkups at clinics, nation-wide

• more than 90% of eligible members live in an area that will have a participating No Gap practice¹

• nib No Gap dental includes examination, scale, clean, fluoride treatment and diagnostics²

nib, an ASX-listed health and travel insurer, has launched a No Gap dental program partnering with dental clinics Australia-wide, to provide preventative dental care to about 1.2 million eligible members.

A visit to an nib No Gap dentist, for an examination, scale, clean, fluoride treatment where clinically needed, plus bitewing and panoramic x-rays, is covered with no cost to eligible members, around Australia.

“We know going to the dentist is a major expense,” said nib Chief Executive, Australian Residents Health Insurance (arhi), Ed Close. “It’s a cost that really hits a household budget, whether you’re a young member, a family with kids, or a retiree.

“Market research shows that the high cost of treatment means people put off seeing a dentist, and that’s to the detriment of their overall health. No Gap treatment aims to bring extra value to members from their private health insurance with nib.”

nib has developed its First Choice network of allied health providers with physiotherapists, optometrists and  dentists to provide members with ‘no gap’ and reduced out of pocket costs for services. This means out of pocket cost for members are zero, or limited to an amount agreed with the provider, to help members get value for money from their private health insurance.

“Our new dentistry network provides improved access to No Gap clinics because dental treatment is expensive, and we know how important good oral hygiene is,” Mr Close said.

Recent research shows Australians are turning to their lifetime saving pools to pay for dental treatment, a move likely to have a significant negative impact on retirement savings.

The Australian Tax Office says that a portion of those seeking dental treatment withdraw funds from their superannuation – a move that could have a dire impact on retirement savings. The ATO says 13,540 Australians withdrew $313.4 million from their superannuation to pay for dental treatment last year - a 372% rise from $66.4 million five years ago.

Data from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority shows out of pocket fees for dentistry have surged for the 53% of Australians with dental cover, adding to cost of living woes.

Further, a National Dental Association survey found that more than half respondents said they delayed dental treatment in the 12 months to December 2022, while almost four in ten older Australians delayed or completely put off dental treatment in the 12 months to March 2024, according to COTA.

Mr Close said nib is very aware that members are facing cost of living pressures, with higher mortgage rates, and inflation pushing prices higher, stressing household budgets.

“nib is looking at ways to deliver value to members,” he said. “We know than more than 90% of our members live in an area where we have partnered with a No Gap dental clinic, which means they can access preventative care, at no extra cost. And we are very ambitious about expanding the network and increasing the number of clinics.”

Mr Close said nib members will save around $175 on average if having a routine dental check with diagnostics under nib’s new arrangements.

Members able to access nib’s No Gap dental clinics include nib’s white-label partners Qantas, GU, ING,APIA, AAMI, Real Insurance, Suncorp, Priceline and Australian Seniors.

Mr Close is available for comment.

¹ Based on statistical area level 4 (SA4) a special unit defined under the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS).

² No Gap check-up includes examination (Dental item numbers 011, 012, 013, 014, 015), scale and clean (111, 114, 115), fluoride treatment (121), and up to two bitewing x-rays (022) or radiograph (037) where clinically required.

³ Eligible members are those with extras cover that includes dental. Payment by nib of dental benefits is subject to serving relevant waiting periods. Annual limits and service limits apply.

⁴ https://privatehealthcareaustralia.org.au/draining-superannuation-for-dental-care-is-driving-up-costs-for-all-australians/