Here is a number that should bother you if you are paying for HBF extras cover: according to HBF’s own data, 38.6% of eligible members in Perth suburbs like Cockburn did not use their fully covered annual scale and clean in 2024 (HBF Newsroom, “HBF expands dental network with new Cockburn centre,” February 2025). That is nearly four in ten people paying for a benefit they never touch. If you are looking for an HBF dentist in Perth and have not claimed your preventive dental this year, this guide is for you.
Your annual limits reset on a set date (January 1 for most HBF policies, though some run on an anniversary cycle – check yours). After that date, anything you did not claim is gone. Not rolled over. Not refunded. Just gone.
Let us fix that.
What HBF Extras Actually Cover for Dental
HBF dental cover works in tiers. The more you pay in premiums, the broader the coverage and the higher the annual limits. Here is a simplified breakdown of what each level typically includes:
- Basic Extras – Preventive dental: check-ups, scale and clean, fluoride, X-rays, simple fillings. You will get between 50% and 60% back on these services, depending on your product. At an HBF Member Plus provider, your first scale and clean each year is fully covered – no gap at all.
- Mid-level Extras – Everything above, plus general restorative work such as root canals, extractions, and crowns. Rebates typically sit around 60% to 75%. Annual limits are higher, often in the $600 to $1,000 range for general dental.
- Top-level Extras – Adds major dental coverage such as implants, orthodontics (including Invisalign), bridges, and dentures. Rebate percentages can reach 85% at Member Plus providers, and annual limits commonly run between $1,500 and $2,500 or more.
One thing that trips people up: HBF pays a percentage of their scheduled fee, not your dentist’s actual fee. If your dentist charges more than HBF’s schedule, you pay the difference. This is where preferred providers make a real difference, because the fees are pre-agreed.
Mia Dental Centre is a preferred provider for HBF, HCF, and NIB. You can see the full list of health funds accepted at Mia Dental Centre – we accept all major funds and process claims on the spot.
What “No-Gap” Actually Means (and What It Does Not)
You have probably seen “no-gap dental” advertised everywhere. Here is what it means in practice for HBF members:
- No-gap preventive care – At an HBF Member Plus provider, eligible members receive one fully covered check-up and clean per calendar year. This includes a general examination, scale and clean, fluoride treatment, and up to two X-rays, with zero out-of-pocket cost.
- Reduced-gap general dental – For services beyond preventive care (fillings, crowns, extractions), you will still pay a gap, but it will be smaller at a Member Plus provider because the dentist’s fees are capped to HBF’s schedule.
- One visit per calendar year – The no-gap clean is limited to one per person per calendar year. If you need a second visit, normal rebate percentages and limits apply.
The no-gap offer is not automatic. You need to visit a participating provider and have an active extras policy with dental cover. Waiting periods apply if you are a new member (typically two months for general dental, twelve months for major dental).
How to Check What You Have Left
Before you book, find out how much of your annual limit you have already used. There are three ways to do this:
- HBF App – Open the app, tap “My Cover,” then look for “Annual Limits.” It shows what you have claimed and what remains for each category (preventive, general, major dental). If you have not downloaded the app, search “HBF” in the App Store or Google Play.
- myHBF online portal – Log in at hbf.com.au, go to “My Cover” and select “Benefits used.” The same information is displayed in a browser-friendly format.
- Call HBF directly – Phone 133 423 during business hours. Have your membership number ready. The team can walk you through your remaining limits and confirm whether you have used your annual no-gap clean.
If your remaining balance is sitting there untouched with a few months left in the calendar year, book in now. December and January are the busiest months for dental bookings across Perth – new year health goals in January and the EOFY health fund reset driving a rush in the last quarter.
The Year-End Checklist
If your HBF limits reset on January 1, here is a simple plan:
- Check your remaining annual limits in the HBF app or portal. Look at preventive dental and general dental separately.
- Book your no-gap check-up and clean if you have not used it this calendar year. This is the easiest benefit to claim – it costs you nothing at a Member Plus provider.
- Get a HICAPS quote before any treatment – If you need a filling, crown, or other restorative work, ask your dental clinic for a HICAPS pre-approval quote. This tells you the exact gap you will pay before treatment starts, so there are no surprises.
- Time larger work strategically – If your limit is nearly used up, consider scheduling bigger treatments (crowns, implant work, orthodontic adjustments) for January when the new annual limit kicks in. This way you maximise your rebate for the current year and start fresh for costly items.
- Ask about payment plans for the gap – If you have out-of-pocket costs after your rebate, Mia Dental Centre offers dental payment plans for the gap amount through Afterpay, Humm, Zip Money, and other options.
What If You Have Bupa, Medibank, or HCF Instead?
HBF dominates in WA, but the same “use it or lose it” logic applies to every fund. Here is how the major funds compare:
- Bupa Members First – Eligible members can receive no-gap preventive dental (check-ups, cleans, X-rays) at Members First providers. Rebates on general dental range from 60% to 100% depending on your tier (Members First vs Members First Platinum). Annual limits reset on your policy anniversary, not necessarily January 1.
- Medibank Members’ Choice – Up to two 100%-back check-ups per member per year at Members’ Choice Advantage providers (on most extras policies). The network is one of the largest in Australia.
- HCF More for Teeth – 100% back on a defined list of preventive and diagnostic services at More for Teeth providers. Available on most HCF extras covers.
- NIB First Choice – Reduced-gap and no-gap preventive care at First Choice providers. NIB annual limits typically reset on January 1.
Whichever fund you are with, the steps are the same: log in, check what you have left, and book before your reset date. Mia Dental Centre accepts all health funds and is a preferred provider for HBF, HCF, and NIB.
Ready to Use Your Benefits Before They Reset?
Mia Dental Centre is a preferred provider for HBF, HCF, and NIB, and we accept all major health funds with on-the-spot HICAPS claiming. If you have not had your no-gap check-up and clean this year, now is the time to book – before the December rush kicks in.
Call us on (08) 9206 0058 or book online to secure your appointment at our Wanneroo clinic. Bring your health fund card and we will take care of the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to see an HBF dentist?
No. You do not need a GP referral to visit any general dentist in Australia, whether you have HBF or any other fund. Simply book an appointment directly with your chosen dental clinic.
Can I go to any dentist with HBF?
Yes. HBF covers dental treatment at any registered dentist in Australia. However, you will receive higher rebates and potentially no-gap preventive care when you visit an HBF Member Plus provider. At a non-Member Plus dentist, your out-of-pocket costs are likely to be higher.
What happens if I switch health funds mid-year?
Your annual limits reset when you join a new fund, but waiting periods may apply. General dental usually has a two-month wait; major dental is typically twelve months. If you are switching from a fund with equivalent cover, some providers (including HCF) may waive waiting periods – check with the new fund before you switch.
Does HBF cover dental implants?
HBF covers dental implants on Top-level Extras policies that include major dental. A twelve-month waiting period applies, and the rebate is a percentage of HBF’s scheduled fee, not the full cost of the procedure. Implant costs vary depending on the complexity of your case. At Mia Dental Centre, we can provide a treatment plan with a HICAPS quote so you know your exact out-of-pocket amount before you commit. Learn more about our general family dentistry services or explore our dental implant options.