Specialised dental treatments, like dental implants and root canal surgery, are required to relieve chronic pain, ensure dental health, and restore proper function to the mouth and jaw. To make these medically essential treatments more financially accessible, the ATO’s Compassionate Release of Superannuation (CRS) allows eligible patients to access their super funds early to pay for dental work.
If you are considering the option to access your super early for dental treatment, here’s what you need to know about the eligibility criteria, how to apply, and what types of treatments may be applicable.
Can You Access Super Early for Dental Treatments?
Yes. Patients can access their super funds early on compassionate grounds – if you are unable to pay for dental treatment that you need, or are unable to repay borrowed funds used to pay for necessary dental treatment, you can apply through the Compassionate Release of Superannuation (CRS) initiative to access funds from your super to make the required payments. The Compassionate Release of Superannuation also applies to required dental treatment for a dependent.
However, there are strict requirements for accessing your super funds for dental treatment. Approval will only be given to patients who have no other way of financing the cost of treatment, and the dental treatment must be considered absolutely necessary by your dentist.
Eligibility Criteria for Compassionate Release of Super Funds
To be eligible for the Compassionate Release of Superannuation, you must:
- Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- Require an eligible type of dental treatment
- Not have paid for the treatment, or have an outstanding amount of borrowed money used to pay for the treatment
- Be unable to pay part or all of the treatment’s costs without accessing super funds, even after drawing down a mortgage, selling owned assets such as investments, accessing other applicable schemes, or borrowing money through a loan
As part of your application, you are also required to provide supporting documentation in the form of a quote (within 60 days before application) or an invoice (within 30 days before application), as well as a medical report from a dental specialist.
If you are applying on behalf of a dependant, you must also provide evidence of your relationship with them.
Which Dental Treatments Are Eligible for CRS?
Dental treatment will only be eligible for CRS if:
- The dental treatment is necessary to treat a life-threatening illness or injury, or to alleviate acute or chronic pain
- The dental treatment is not available through the public health system
This means cosmetic dental procedures, such as veneers and teeth whitening, are not eligible as they do not treat pain or urgent dental issues.
General and restorative dental treatments for patients are assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine whether they meet the eligibility criteria for CRS. Compassionate grounds usually apply to dental treatments such as:
- Root canal surgery
- Orthodontic treatment – braces and clear aligners
- Dental implants
- Dental crowns and bridges
- Dentures
- Oral and dental surgery
- Periodontal (gum disease) treatment
Applying for CRS to Access Dental Treatment
If you choose to apply for CRS to finance dental treatment, you will need to obtain a quote from a dental specialist that details the required treatment and associated expenses. Our dentists at Riverina Dental Albury can conduct a thorough dental assessment for your teeth and provide a specialist letter for use as supporting evidence in your CRS application.
We adhere to the APRHA guidelines to determine whether the dental treatment is in your best interest, and provide an unbiased recommendation to support the release of superannuation. We will also provide all treatment costs upfront to help you understand how much you need to apply for.
At Riverina Dental Albury, we believe that no one should be denied access to the necessary dental treatment for pain relief and better dental health. Get in touch with our Albury dentists to book an initial consultation and take the first step towards a healthier and more beautiful smile.
