In an ideal world, everyone would be blessed with a perfect set of pearly whites. Unfortunately, the reality is that many people feel insecure about their teeth. While cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening can be saved up for, more urgent procedures like fillings, extractions or braces often can’t wait.
All of which requires access to cash, of course. And even if you pay a gazillion dollars a month for the highest level of health insurance, chances are you’ll still be required to cough up a fair old whack to cover the gap, particularly for things like dental surgery.
This is where dental loans come in. In this article, we’ll take a look at how dental loans work, what they can be used for, and how to go about getting one.
What is a dental loan?
A dental loan is a type of personal loan that can be used to fund dental work not covered by Medicare or your private health insurance. If you go with Great Southern Bank, eligible applicants can borrow anywhere from $5,000 to $75,000 and choose a loan term between one and seven years. You can also choose whether you want to make repayments weekly, fortnightly, or monthly.
As far as your repayment amount is concerned, that will depend on all the above plus your credit score. Credit scores are based on a combination of factors such as your credit history (e.g., how you’ve managed previous credit repayments), your credit profile (e.g., the age of your credit file), and how many and what types of credit applications you’ve made in the past.
To get an estimate of what your repayments might be, why not check out our dental loans calculator?
Can I get a loan for dental work?
There are a number of eligibility criteria for securing a Great Southern Bank Dental Loan. In addition to having a decent credit score, you’ll need to:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Be a permanent resident of Australia.
- Receive a regular income.
- Have not been bankrupt or insolvent in the last five years.
What can a dental loan be used for?
A dental loan can be used for pretty much any form of dental treatment. This includes (but is not limited to):
- Ceramic fillings
- Sealants
- Teeth whitening
- Veneers
- Dental implants
- Ceramic crowns
- Emergency dental work
- Root canals
- Braces (for you or your kids)
- Retainers
- Bite plates
- Head gear
- Tooth repair
- Dentures
- Removals and extractions
The benefits of dental finance
The main benefit of getting a loan for dental work is, well, being able to pay for dental work! As mentioned earlier, more serious procedures often can’t wait without making the situation worse. And nobody’s telling someone suffering with toothache to start saving.
Beyond this somewhat obvious point, there are a number of benefits of getting a dental loan through Great Southern Bank. These include:
- A personalised interest rate.
- $0 monthly account fee.
- Fee-free extra repayments.
- No penalties for early payout.
- Free redraw – in case you need access to your additional repayments.1
What’s the process for applying for a Great Southern Bank Dental Loan?
The process for applying for a Great Southern Bank Dental Loan is very straightforward. You can submit an application online in about 10 minutes. To do so, you will need to provide the following:
- An email address and contact number
- Your Great Southern Bank customer number (if you're already a customer)
- Australian driver's licence, Medicare or passport details
- Employment and income details
- Details of any existing loans and expenses
Then it’s simply a case of waiting for your application to be approved. If everything goes smoothly, you will receive a loan contract to accept online. And once you’ve done that, your loan will be paid into your Great Southern Bank Account.2
Ready to apply for a dental loan?
If you’re ready to apply for a Great Southern Bank Dental Loan, why not head on over to the application page right now? If, on the other hand, you’d rather speak to one of our team first, feel free to give us a call on 133 282.
Alternatively, you can always pop into your local branch for a chat.
Important Information
- A $200 minimum withdrawal amount applies for redraws conducted in-branch. Redraw facility is available for Great Southern Bank Personal Loan products on offer from 6 June 2017.
- You will need to hold a Great Southern Bank everyday account when the loan is funded.
Great Southern Bank, a business name of Credit Union Australia Ltd ABN 44 087 650 959, AFSL and Australian Credit Licence Number 238317. Conditions, fees and charges apply. This is general information and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the appropriateness of the information, including the Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) booklet, before acting on it. The Financial Claims Scheme may apply to this product; refer to the T&Cs for more information.