FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Check the links to assist you

Specialist Surgicentre is a fully registered and accredited private health facility. We have contracts with all of the health funds. As there is a varying contracts from health funds. Please check with your own insurance provider to see if there are any excesses or co-payments. The link below may be able to assist you.

• More info on health insurance

Please go to the link below to give you a full overview of anaesthesia by the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists ANZCA.

• More info on anaesthesia

Oral surgery includes a range of surgical procedures that are conducted in the mouth and jaws, including removal of wisdom teeth (third molars) and corrective jaw surgery.

Oral surgery can be performed by a general dentist or an oral surgery specialist (Oral Surgeon or Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon).

Wisdom tooth extraction is one of the more commonly claimed Oral Surgery services under private health insurance policies. Typically, a general dentist or an oral surgery specialist will perform the wisdom tooth extraction and this may be completed under either a local anaesthetic in the operator’s private rooms or under a general anaesthetic as an in-patient in hospital.

The most common ways to have teeth surgically removed are:

• By a general dentist or oral surgery specialist in their private rooms as an out-patient service;
• By a general dentist or an oral surgeon specialist as a surgical procedure in hospital as an in-patient service usually under sedation by a general anaesthetic

When claiming health fund benefits for surgical tooth extractions, it is important to be aware that in most cases, the amount of your benefit will be determined on the basis of the provider of the service, i.e. whether it is a general dentist or an oral surgery specialist; and whether you have the procedure in the operator’s chair or you are admitted to hospital as an in-patient.

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Fellows of the Australian College of Podiatric Surgeons, ACPS are podiatrists who have completed extensive, post-graduate medical and surgical training, which enables them to perform reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle. A podiatrist is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), known also as a podiatric physician or surgeon, qualified by their education and training to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and related structures of the leg. Podiatrists are defined as physicians by the federal government.

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If you have been given sedatives, pain relievers or general anaesthesia, you may feel drowsy after the procedure. This is because a small amount of the anaesthetic may still remain in your body; this can slow your reaction time and affect your judgement for the next 24 hours. During this time, you should not drive a car, operate potentially dangerous machinery, drink alcohol, sign any important documents or care for young children without other adult help. Patients to have a carer who stays with them for the first 24 hours and a number to contact in case of emergencies.

Be guided by your doctor and anaesthetist, but other general suggestions to help you take care of yourself at home include:

• Your anaesthetist and surgeon decide together whether you need pain relievers to take home if they expect some postoperative pain or discomfort after your discharge. Take medications strictly as directed; do not exceed the recommended doses.
• You must assume responsibility for your own after-surgery care, as you will not be staying in the hospital overnight. Ask your surgeon or doctor for specific instructions.
• Serious complications from anaesthesia are very rare. Generally, anaesthetics are considered to be safe with no long-term side effects.