Oral health in Western Sydney

Public dental care and oral health programs in Western Sydney. Includes eligibility, clinic details, school dental services, and emergency contact information.

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On this page

About our service

We provide public dental care for eligible residents in Auburn, Baulkham Hills, Blacktown, Holroyd and Parramatta through the Oral Health Access Program.

We also provide specialist oral health services for people across NSW.

We operate 2 main facilities:

  • Westmead Centre for Oral Health: one of Australia’s largest dental centres offering general and specialist care.
  • Mount Druitt Dental Clinic: located in Mount Druitt Hospital, providing dental care for adults and children, including dentures.
Who can use our services

You may be eligible for public dental care if you live in Western Sydney Local Health District.

Children

All children under 18 who live in NSW are eligible for public dental services.

Adults

Adults must:

  • be eligible for Medicare
  • hold one of these Australian Government concession cards:
    • Health Care Card
    • Pensioner Concession Card
    • Commonwealth Seniors Health Card

Some specialist or hospital-based dental care may have extra eligibility requirements.

Bring your Medicare card and concession card (if you have one) to every appointment.

What to bring

When you come to your appointment, bring:

  • Medicare card
  • Centrelink Concession Card
  • photo ID
  • medical summary (if available)
  • list of your medications
  • food or water
  • book or entertainment
  • parent or guardian (for children under 15).
Interpreter support

If you need an interpreter, tell your clinician or reception staff. We can arrange one for you.

COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses

To protect patients and staff:

  • Stay home for at least 7 days if you have cold or flu symptoms.
  • Make sure you have a negative RAT before visiting.
  • Avoid visiting hospital patients for 7 days after possible COVID-19 exposure.

In an emergency

Seek urgent dental care if you have:

  • facial or mouth swelling
  • bleeding that won’t stop
  • dental trauma or injury
  • difficulty opening your mouth or swallowing.

If your symptoms worsen, call Triple Zero (000) or go to your nearest hospital Emergency Department.

What we offer

General dental services

We provide a wide range of treatments to help you maintain good oral health:

  • oral hygiene and diet advice
  • routine cleaning to remove plaque and tartar
  • sealants to protect teeth from decay
  • fillings to repair cavities
  • extractions for damaged or decayed teeth
  • custom-made dentures for comfort and function
  • simple root canal therapy to save damaged teeth.

Complex treatments such as crowns may be offered depending on your needs.

Specialist dental services

If you need specialist care, your dentist or doctor can refer you under the NSW Health Specialist Referral Guidelines.

Some services are free. Others may have a cost, which will be explained before treatment.

Waiting times vary based on demand.

About our departments and clinics

Our clinics at Westmead and Mount Druitt provide a wide range of dental and specialist oral health services.

Westmead

Clinical Support Dentistry

Dental Imaging Unit

We provide a range of dental imaging services to support diagnosis and treatment planning for patients referred by dental professionals.

Referral information

Referrals are accepted for:

  • Cone Beam CT (CBCT)
  • Orthopantomogram (OPG)
  • Lateral cephalometric (Ceph) imaging
  • Occlusal imaging
  • Intraoral imaging.

Self-referrals are not accepted. All services require a referral from a dental practitioner.

Referrers must:

  • explain the purpose and risks of the imaging to their patient
  • obtain and retain signed patient consent before referral.

Appointments and walk-ins

  • Appointments are required for CBCT and full-mouth intraoral imaging.
  • Walk-ins are accepted for all other imaging services.
Medicare and billing
  • Eligible referrals are bulk-billed to Medicare.
  • Under Medicare rules, CBCT referrals from general dental practitioners cannot be bulk-billed.
  • An OPG cannot be bulk-billed on the same day as a CBCT.
  • Patients without Medicare eligibility, or who do not present a valid Medicare card, will be charged.

The Dental Imaging Unit is accredited under the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme Standards.

Dental Conscious Sedation Unit

We provide dental treatment and minor oral surgery under intravenous (IV) conscious sedation for suitable patients who meet referral criteria.

Referral information

Referrals are accepted for:

  • Basic general dental treatment.
  • Minor oral surgical procedures under IV dental sedation.

Patients can live anywhere in NSW. Self-referrals are not accepted.

Patients who need specialist treatment should be referred to the relevant specialist unit. Referrals are not accepted by:

  • NSW Forensic Dental Service.
  • Head and Neck Dental Oncology Service.
Eligibility

Not all patients are suitable for conscious sedation. The service is not available for patients who:

  • Have uncontrolled or severe medical conditions.
  • Have a history of recreational drug use.
  • Display very challenging behaviours.
  • Are aged under 16 or over 70 years.
Appointment information
  • Patients remain awake during treatment. Unconscious sedation is not available.
  • Fixed prosthodontics and molar endodontics are not suitable for sedation treatment.
  • Sedation is provided by dentists with a Diploma in Conscious Sedation and AHPRA endorsement for Dental Conscious Sedation.
  • Treatment is day surgery only (no overnight stays).
  • Dental care is provided by senior dentists within the scope of general dental practice.
Medicare and billing

Patients must bring both a current Medicare card, and an Australian government concession card to each appointment.

Patients who are not eligible or cannot show proof of eligibility will be charged for services.

Contact us

Hours of service

Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm

Dental Imaging

Our Dental Imaging Unit provides a range of dental X-ray and imaging services to help diagnose and manage oral health conditions.

Dental X-rays help your dentist detect issues such as cavities, gum disease and bone loss before they become more serious.

What we do

We provide a variety of dental imaging services, including:

  • Panoramic X-rays – used before major dental procedures such as braces. These show the condition of your whole mouth, including all upper and lower teeth.
  • Periapical X-rays – show the entire tooth from crown to root tip, helping detect decay, gum disease, bone loss and other abnormalities.
  • Bitewing X-rays – display details of the upper and lower teeth in a single area of the mouth.
  • Cone Beam CT (CBCT) – also called a “cat-scan”. This 3D imaging method converts two-dimensional images into a detailed three-dimensional view.
  • Lateral cephalometric (Ceph) X-rays – show the teeth, jaws and facial profile, often used for orthodontic treatment planning.
  • Occlusal X-rays – help identify issues in the floor or roof of the mouth.
  • Intraoral X-rays – the most common type of dental X-ray, providing detailed images of teeth, bone and supporting tissues inside the mouth.

The Dental Imaging Unit is accredited under the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme Standards.

Referral information

All imaging services require a referral.

Referrals are accepted for:

  • Cone Beam CT (CBCT).
  • Orthopantomogram (OPG).
  • Lateral ceph.
  • Occlusal imaging.
  • Intraoral imaging.

Self-referrals are not accepted.

Referrers must:

  • Explain the purpose and risks of the prescribed imaging.
  • Obtain the patient’s signed consent.

Appointment requirements

  • Appointments are required for CBCT and full-mouth intraoral imaging.
  • Walk-ins are accepted for all other imaging studies.

Medicare and billing

  • Eligible patients will be bulk-billed to Medicare.
  • CBCT referrals from general dental practitioners cannot be bulk-billed under Medicare rules.
  • An OPG cannot be bulk-billed on the same day as a CBCT.
  • Patients without Medicare eligibility, or who do not present a valid Medicare card, will be charged.

Contact us

Hours of service

Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm.

Dental Laboratories

Our Dental Laboratories design, make and repair custom dental products to improve oral health and hygiene.

We work with clinicians, specialists and students at the Westmead Centre for Oral Health.

What we do

We provide a range of dental laboratory and technical services, including:

  • acrylic, partial and full dentures
  • chrome cobalt dentures
  • denture repairs and relines
  • custom mouthguards
  • orthodontic appliances
  • crown and bridge work
  • maxillofacial appliances.

Who we support

We provide technical support to:

  • staff specialists
  • clinicians
  • Westmead Centre for Oral Health dental students.

Our team

Our laboratory team includes 17 dental technicians and 2 administrative staff who support clinicians and students.

Contact us

Hours of service

Monday to Friday: 7am to 4pm

After-hours emergency service

For patients with trauma, heavy bleeding or facial swelling, after-hours care is available through the main hospital Emergency Department.

Emergency Dentistry

We provide urgent dental care to treat acute conditions such as dental trauma, severe pain, or swelling. Our goal is to prevent tooth loss and relieve discomfort.

What we do

We provide emergency dental treatment for:

  • dental trauma
  • heavy (gross) bleeding
  • facial swelling.

We also provide limited dental care for inpatients staying overnight at Westmead Hospital.

Our emergency care includes the Acute Care Clinic and the Extraction Clinic.

Priority of treatment

When you arrive, our team will assess your condition and prioritise (triage) your treatment based on how serious it is.

If you have trauma, heavy bleeding or facial swelling, you will be seen on the same day.

Who we care for

We provide emergency dental care for people aged 15 years and over who live in the Western Sydney Local Health District and are eligible for public oral health care.

Appointments

To make an appointment, contact our Call Centre or visit our Triage Desk.

Phone (Call Centre): 1800 679 336
Location: Level 1, Westemead Hospital, Westmead Centre for Oral Health

After hours: Call the Westmead Hospital Emergency Department on (02) 8890 6520.

Our team

Head of Department: Dr Umesh Gaikaiwari
Assistant Clinic Coordinator: Mrs Faezah Askari-Yahyavi
Secretary: Carolina Alexander

Contact us

Hours of service

Monday to Friday: 8am to 5pm

After-hours emergency service

For patients with dental trauma, heavy bleeding or facial swelling, after-hours care is available through the Westmead Hospital Emergency Department. Phone: (02) 8890 6520.

General Practice

We diagnose, treat and manage general oral health care needs for eligible adults in Western Sydney.

What we do

Our General Practice team provides a range of dental care and treatment, including:

  • general dental check-ups
  • preventive care and oral hygiene education
  • gum care and professional cleaning
  • fillings
  • tooth extractions
  • root canal treatment (if suitable)
  • removable dentures (false teeth or plates)
  • splints (night guards)
  • other restorative treatments, if appropriate.

Who we care for

We provide dental care for adults who live in the Western Sydney Local Health District.

To be eligible, you must have a Medicare card and one of the following:

  • Pensioner Concession Card
  • Health Care Card
  • Commonwealth Seniors Card
  • Department of Veterans’ Affairs Card (white or gold).

Appointments

To request an appointment, contact our Call Centre on 1800 679 336 and let the operator know you would like general treatment or a check-up.

You will be asked some questions and placed on the waiting list for treatment.

Our team

Our General Practice team includes:

  • dentists
  • dental prosthetists (who make dentures)
  • dental assistants.

Contact us

General Practice Child Dental

We diagnose, treat and manage children’s general oral health care needs to support healthy teeth and gums from an early age.

What we do

Our team provides a range of general dental services for children, including:

  • dental check-ups
  • gum care and cleaning
  • fillings
  • preventive care and oral health education.

Who we care for

We provide dental care for children and young people aged 0 to 18 years who:

  • Live in the Western Sydney Local Health District.
  • Are eligible for the Priority Oral Health Program.

Appointments

To book an appointment, contact our Call Centre on 1800 679 336.

Referrals

A referral is not required to access our child dental services.

Contact us

NSW Forensic Dental Identification Unit

We provide dental identification and forensic support services to NSW and Federal Government agencies.

Our team assists in identifying individuals and determining age through forensic dental methods.

What we do

We provide specialised forensic dental services, including:

  • Dental identification of individuals.
  • Age determination.
  • Teaching and training in disaster management.
  • Mass disaster dental identification.
  • Postgraduate forensic dental education.

Who we support

We work with and provide services to:

  • NSW Police Force.
  • NSW Coroners Court.
  • NSW Ministry of Health.
  • Australian Federal Police.
  • NSW Department of Forensic Medicine.

Referrals and appointments

For non-urgent referrals or appointments, call (02) 8890 7275.

For urgent cases, call (02) 9962 6209.

Consultants

  • A/Professor Chris Griffiths, Staff Specialist, Director NSW Forensic Dental Unit.
  • Dr A. Middleton, Staff Specialist.
  • A/Professor J. Taylor, Visiting Dental Officer (VDO).
  • Dr P. Gower, Visiting Dental Officer (VDO).
  • Dr P. Kendall, Visiting Dental Officer (VDO).

Key staff contacts

Contact us

Hours of service

24-hour service.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

We are medical and dental specialists who diagnose and treat conditions affecting the face, mouth, jaws, head and neck.

Our team provides comprehensive surgical care for trauma, infection, pathology and complex reconstructive needs.

What we do

We provide specialist surgical services, including:

  • Wisdom tooth removal.
  • Dental implants and bone grafting.
  • Treatment of oral and facial infections.
  • Management of oral pathology and oral cancer.
  • Orthognathic (corrective jaw) surgery.
  • Treatment of facial trauma, fractures and deformities.
  • Management of head and neck pathology.
  • Reconstructive surgery.
  • Removal of salivary gland tumours.
  • Treatment of head and neck skin cancers.

Who we care for

We care for all people who need oral and maxillofacial surgical treatment.

A 24-hour emergency on-call service is available through Westmead Hospital.

For dental-related surgical services, patients must hold a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card.

How to access this service

You need a referral from your medical or dental practitioner or specialist to access our services.

Each referral is assessed and prioritised (triaged) based on clinical urgency.

  • Urgent cases are seen as soon as possible.
  • Non-urgent or elective cases are placed on a waiting list.

You will be notified of your appointment by letter once it is scheduled.

Referral guidelines

Please include the following information in your referral:

  • Patient’s full name and date of birth.
  • Contact details, including mobile number and email address.
  • Medicare number.
  • Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card number (for dental-related elective surgery).
  • Relevant x-rays or other medical records.

Refer your patient

We accept referrals from medical practitioners, dental practitioners and specialists.

Consultants

  • Dr Adit Bahl
  • Dr Anthony Bertram
  • Dr Richard Conway
  • Dr Sami Haddad
  • Dr Lydia Lim
  • Dr Pasquale Gerardo Mollica
  • Dr James Kim
  • Dr Weber Huang

Related services

The department provides a 24-hour emergency on-call service for maxillofacial trauma and facial infections through the Emergency Department at Westmead Hospital.

Contact us

Hours of service

Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.

Oral Medicine

The Oral Medicine Department at Westmead Centre for Oral Health diagnoses and manages non-surgical diseases and conditions that affect the mouth and oral tissues.

We provide care for patients with complex medical needs and are the main training site for Oral Medicine Specialists in NSW.

What we do

We assess, diagnose and manage a range of oral conditions, including:

  • Chronic ulcers and blisters.
  • Polyps and oral lesions.
  • Oral cancers and precancerous changes.
  • Complex oral and facial pain conditions.
  • Oral health issues related to systemic medical conditions.

Our focus is on non-surgical management and coordinated care with other medical and dental specialists.

Who we care for

We care for patients who have oral or facial conditions best managed in a hospital environment, particularly those with complex medical histories or chronic oral diseases.

Referrals

You need a formal referral from a medical or dental professional to access this service.

Referrals must include:

  • Referring clinician’s contact details.
  • Patient’s full name and date of birth.
  • Patient’s contact details, including mobile number and email.
  • Medicare card number.
  • Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card number (if applicable).
  • Medical history summary.
  • Detailed description of the dental or oral condition, including radiographs, investigation results and clinical photographs (if available).

Electronic referrals are preferred and can be emailed to WSLHD-OralMedicine@health.nsw.gov.au

Contact us

Hours of service

Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.

Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics

We provide orthodontic care for complex cases involving misaligned teeth and jaws that may require multi-disciplinary treatment.

Only patients who meet specific clinical criteria are accepted for orthodontic treatment.

Referral information

You need a formal referral from a medical or dental professional to access our services.

Referrals must include:

  • Referring clinician’s contact details.
  • Patient’s full name and date of birth.
  • Patient’s contact details, including home address, mobile number and email.
  • Current Medicare card number.
  • Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card number (if applicable).
  • Medical history summary.
  • Detailed description of the dental condition and malocclusion.
  • Radiographs, results of previous investigations and clinical photographs (if available).

Electronic referrals with relevant attachments (for example, X-rays or scans) are preferred and can be emailed to WSLHD-Paed-Ortho-OralHealth@health.nsw.gov.au

Information for clinicians

The Department of Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics is a tertiary referral centre.

To be eligible for orthodontic treatment, or for dental treatment under general anaesthesia, patients must have a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card.

Contact us

Hours of service

  • Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
  • After-hours emergency dental care for children is available through the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Phone: (02) 8890 0000.
 
Special Needs Dentistry

The Department of Special Needs Dentistry is a specialist tertiary service providing dental care for adults with complex medical, physical, intellectual or psychological needs that make community-based dental treatment difficult.

Who we care for

We accept referrals for people aged 18 years and over who have one or more of the following:

  • An intellectual disability.
  • A physical disability.
  • A neurodegenerative condition, such as dementia.
  • A complex medical condition requiring modified dental treatment or care in a hospital setting.
  • Severe dental anxiety or complex mental health conditions.

If you cannot have treatment in a dental chair

We provide care through:

  • Outpatient clinics under specialist supervision.
  • Treatment under relative analgesia (happy gas), sedation or general anaesthesia, when required.

Your first visit will be a consultation to discuss your needs and plan the safest and most comfortable way to provide treatment.

Accessibility and transport

We are located on Level 3, Westmead Centre for Oral Health, Westmead Hospital, Darcy Road, Westmead.

Our clinics accommodate wheelchair users and bed-bound patients. Please tell our staff if you are arriving by ambulance transport.

Hospital buggies are available at the main entrance for people with mobility issues.

Referral information

Referrals must include:

  • Referring clinician’s contact details.
  • Patient’s full name and date of birth.
  • Patient or primary carer’s contact details (mobile and email).
  • Medicare card number.
  • Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card number (if applicable).
  • Reason for referral and urgency of assessment.
  • Relevant clinical findings, investigations and previous patient response to dental care.

Also provide:

  • A current medical history summary from the general practitioner.
  • Recent reports from involved medical specialists, speech pathologists or behaviour support planners.

Contact us

Hours of service

Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.

Specialist Dental Centre

The Specialist Dental Centre at Westmead Centre for Oral Health provides general and specialist dental treatment on a fee-for-service basis for both adults and children.

What we do

Our team includes general dentists and dental specialists who provide care in the following areas:

  • Orthodontics.
  • Paediatric dentistry.
  • Special needs dentistry.
  • Prosthodontics (crowns, bridges and dentures).
  • Root canal therapy (endodontics).
  • Oral medicine and oral pathology.
  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
  • Wisdom teeth removal and complex extractions.

Who we care for

We provide dental services to adults and children.

How to make an appointment

To make an appointment, call (02) 8890 5960 between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

A referral may be required for some specialist services.

Contact us

Hours of service

Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.

University General Practice

We are helping build the future dental workforce.

General dental treatment is provided to eligible patients by senior university students completing a Doctor of Dental Medicine or Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy degree.

All care is delivered under the direct supervision of qualified dentists, specialist dentists and oral health therapists.

What we do

We partner with university education providers to deliver comprehensive dental care using the latest technologies and evidence-based techniques.

Our experienced dental assistants support patient comfort and individual needs during each visit.

Services we provide

Your general dental treatment may include:

  • Comprehensive dental check-up, including X-rays and cleaning.
  • Treatment of gum disease.
  • Preventive care such as fluoride treatments, tooth sealants, and home care or dietary advice.
  • Fillings and root canal therapy.
  • Crowns, bridges and dentures.
  • Night guards (bite splints).
  • Dental implants (in selected cases).
  • Tooth extractions.
  • Referrals to specialist dentists and community health programs.

Who we care for

We provide general dental care for eligible patients in partnership with NSW Health and participating university programs.

Contact us

Hours of service

Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.

Mount Druitt

Mount Druitt Hospital Dental Clinic

Mount Druitt Oral Health Service provides free and low-cost dental care for eligible patients at Mount Druitt Hospital Dental Clinic and through outreach dental programs across the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD).

To book or ask about treatment, contact WSLHD on 1300 739 499 to be placed on the waiting list.

Mount Druitt Hospital Dental Clinic

The Mount Druitt Hospital Dental Clinic is a public dental service located within Mount Druitt Hospital.

We provide dental care for adults and children aged 4 years and over.

Eligibility

Adults

Adults must:

  • Have a valid Medicare card.
  • Hold a Centrelink Concession Card (such as a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card).
Children

Children must have a valid Medicare entitlement.

Some children may also be eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).
Consent is required to claim services under this program.
You can check eligibility through myGov or by calling 132 011.

Important information

  • Treatment is by appointment only.
  • The clinic is part of WSLHD Public Dental Services.
  • Some patients may be referred to Westmead Centre for Oral Health for specialised care, including:
    • Chronic medical conditions.
    • Complex dental needs.
    • Assistance with mobility or transfer to the dental chair.

Information for health professionals

  • Eligible patients can self-refer to Mount Druitt Oral Health by calling 1300 739 499.
  • Health professionals can refer patients directly to Oral Health Services via the same number.
  • For enquiries about the Primary School Mobile Dental Program, email WSLHD-mobiledentalservice@health.nsw.gov.au

Contact us

Find an oral health service

Use our Service Directory to find a health service near you.

Community and school programs

Primary School Mobile Dental Program

This program provides free dental care to students in public primary schools across Western Sydney.

Parents and carers receive consent forms before school visits.

Services include:

  • dental examination and education
  • height and weight checks
  • fluoride treatment
  • X-rays
  • cleaning and fissure sealants.

Some families may be eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).

Check eligibility through myGov or call 132 011.

Referrals and enquiries

Oral Health Promotion

We support community programs that help prevent oral disease and improve wellbeing.

Our priorities

  • Support equitable access to dental care.
  • Build knowledge in the wider health workforce.
  • Educate the community about good oral health.
  • Support oral health research and monitoring.

Request an education session

Email WSLHD-OralHealthPromotion@health.nsw.gov.au

Programs

Community oral health education

We provide sessions at community events about oral hygiene, prevention and accessing public dental care.

Email WSLHD-OralHealthPromotion@health.nsw.gov.au to enquire.

Early Childhood Oral Health (ECOH)

The ECOH program promotes oral health for children aged 0 to 5 years.

Child health professionals screen for dental issues and refer families to care.

We support programs like Brighter Beginnings.

Training is available online (Lift the Lip) and through My Health Learning – CHF1408 Early Childhood Oral Health Training.

Partnerships

Related information

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