Westmead Centre for Oral Health

Clinical Support Dentistry

Dental Imaging Unit

Referral information

• Referrals accepted for Cone Beam CT, OPG, Lateral Ceph, Occlusal and intraoral imaging.
• No self-referral services are available (all services require a referral)
• Referrers: please ensure that you explain the purpose of and risk associated with any dental imaging prescribed and have your patient sign the patient consent.

Appointments and walk-ins

• Appointments necessary for CBCT and full mouth intraoral series.
• Walk-ins accepted for other imaging studies.

Medicare and bulk billing 

• The Dental Imaging Unit will bulk-bill eligible patient referrals to Medicare.
• Under Medicare rules, Cone Beam referrals from general dental practitioners cannot be bulk-billed and an OPG cannot be bulk-billed on the same day as a CBCT.
• Patients without Medicare eligibility and those that are unable to show their Medicare card on presentation at the facility will be charged.

The Dental Imaging Unit holds current accreditation against National Safety and Quality Health Services Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme Standards.

Dental Conscious Sedation Unit 

Referral information

• Referrals are accepted for basic general dental treatment and minor oral surgical procedures under intravenous dental sedation.
• Patients can reside anywhere in New South Wales.
• Patients must meet referral criteria for the Service
• No self-referrals are accepted.
• Patients that require treatment by a specialist should be referred to the appropriate specialist unit in the first instance.
• The NSW Forensic Dental Service and the Head and Neck Dental Oncology Service do not accept referrals.
• Not all patients are suitable for referral to the Dental Conscious Sedation Unit. Patients with uncontrolled and/or severe medical conditions, a history of recreational drug use, very challenging behaviours and those aged under 16 or over 70 years of age are not suitable

Medicare and billing

• Patients must present a current Medicare Card and an Australian Government Concession Card at each appointment.
• Patients without eligibility or proof of eligibility will be charged for Services. 

Appointment information 

• Unconscious sedation is not available (patients will be awake for treatment)
• Fixed prosthodontics and molar endodontics are not suitable.
• Sedation is provided by dentists that have a Diploma of Conscious Sedation qualification and current endorsement with AHPRA for Dental Conscious Sedation.
• Day surgery only (no overnight hospital admissions).
• Dental treatment is provided by senior dentists within the scope of general dental practice.