If you need major dental treatment and cannot fund it out of pocket, using your super for dental in Perth or Albany may be an option. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) lets you access part of your superannuation early if you need to pay for serious medical treatment that you cannot otherwise afford. This is called compassionate release of super, and dental treatment is one of the conditions it covers. For many of our patients in Perth and Albany, this is the difference between living with pain or a failing bite for years, and getting treatment done now.
Major dental work (dental implants, All-on-4, orthodontics, full-mouth rehabilitation) usually falls outside what Medicare or private health insurance will pay for. Super release fills that gap. At Radiant Smiles we have been helping patients at our Yokine (Perth) and Albany clinics fund major treatment using their super for years. We partner with both SuperCare and AccessMySuper, the two Australian services that manage the ATO application on your behalf. You can read the ATO’s own guidance on compassionate release here: ATO: Access on compassionate grounds.
Who Is Eligible To Use super For Dental
The ATO releases super for dental treatment on specific grounds. You may be eligible if:
- You or a dependant (spouse, child) needs the dental treatment
- The treatment is to alleviate acute or chronic pain, acute or chronic mental disturbance, or a life-threatening condition
- You cannot afford the treatment by other means, including savings, loans, or payment plans
- The treatment is not purely cosmetic (teeth whitening and elective veneers are not eligible)
- You meet ATO identity and residency requirements
This usually includes patients with failing teeth, severe infection, advanced gum disease, broken dentition, or long-standing bite problems that cause pain or distress. Our dentists can help you document that your treatment qualifies.
Documentation Required
Your SuperCare or AccessMySuper application will need:
- The ATO Compassionate Release of Superannuation application form
- One written quote for the proposed dental treatment (provided by Radiant Smiles Dental Care)
- Two written reports (one from us and the other from a specialist or GP).
- Proof of identity (driver licence, passport, Medicare card)
- Your super fund member details
- A bank account for the released funds
A note on “specialist”: in Australian dentistry, this is a regulated term. It means a dentist with postgraduate training, registered with the Dental Board of Australia in a recognised specialty. For implant cases, the relevant specialists are:
- Periodontist: gum disease and implant placement
- Oral surgeon: complex surgical implants, bone grafts, full arch
- Orthodontist (braces, alignment)
- Prosthodontist: complex restorations and full-mouth rehabilitation
You do not have to gather this on your own. Our team at Yokine and Albany prepares the Radiant Smiles quote, coordinates the specialist letters, and walks you through everything else. SuperCare or AccessMySuper then assembles the full application and submits it to the ATO.
The Process, Step By Step
- Consultation and treatment plan: Book a visit at our Perth (Yokine) or Albany clinic. We examine you, take any needed scans (panoramic X-ray, and CBCT for implant cases), and plan the treatment.
- Written quote: We prepare a detailed quote formatted to ATO requirements.
- Two supporting statements: Our dentists, plus a specialist where needed, write the medical practitioner supporting statements.
- Application: SuperCare or AccessMySuper assembles your application and lodges it with the ATO.
- ATO decision: The ATO typically responds within 14 to 28 days.
- Funds released: Your super fund releases the approved amount, usually 5 to 10 business days after ATO approval.
- Treatment begins: We schedule your treatment as soon as funds clear.
Most patients go from first consultation to approved funds in about 4 to 6 weeks.
Dental Treatments You Can Fund with Super
Super release covers a wide range of major dental work at Radiant Smiles. The most commonly funded treatments include:
Dental Implants
- Single tooth implants
- Multiple implants and implant bridges
- All-on-4 full arch
Dedicated guide: Using super for dental implants
Orthodontics
- Invisalign clear aligners
- Traditional metal braces
- Ceramic braces
- Teen and adult orthodontic treatment
Major Restorative Work
- Crowns and bridges
- Root canal treatment
- Full-mouth rehabilitation
- Dentures and partial dentures
Oral Surgery
- Wisdom teeth removal where medically necessary
- Treatment of advanced gum disease
- Corrective jaw surgery in complex cases
Not eligible for super release: teeth whitening, purely elective veneers, and cosmetic bonding without clinical need. If you are not sure which category your treatment falls into, talk to us. We will tell you honestly whether your case is likely to meet ATO criteria before you apply.
Financial Implications You Should Understand
Releasing super early has long-term consequences. Know these before you apply:
- Tax: Money released on compassionate grounds is generally taxed. The rate depends on your age and the taxable versus tax-free components of your super, and is often around 22% for people under preservation age. See ATO guidance for your situation: ato.gov.au.
- Retirement impact: Money drawn from super now loses decades of compound growth. For example, $20,000 withdrawn at age 40 could mean $60,000 to $80,000 less at retirement, depending on fund returns.
- Service fees: SuperCare and AccessMySuper charge a fee for managing the application. Fees vary by case and provider. Ask for a fee quote before committing.
- Unused amounts: You can only release an amount that matches the quoted treatment cost. If treatment ends up costing less, the unused balance goes back to your super.
- Approval is not guaranteed: The ATO can reject applications. Rejection rates are low when documentation is strong, which is why we take the paperwork seriously.
We are dentists, not financial advisers. If you want to think through whether super release is the right choice for you, speak with a licensed financial adviser before applying.
SuperCare and AccessMySuper, and how we use both
Radiant Smiles partners with both SuperCare and AccessMySuper (accessmysuper.com.au). Both manage your ATO compassionate release application from start to finish. Which one suits your case usually comes down to:
- Current fee structure
- Turnaround time on the day
- Your personal preference
We recommend the partner best suited to your case during your consultation. Either way, you deal with one of our coordinators at Radiant Smiles, and we liaise with the service on your behalf.
Using Super for Dental in Perth and Albany
Radiant Smiles has two locations in Western Australia. Perth (Yokine): our Yokine clinic serves the greater Perth metro area. It handles complex implant and full-mouth work, with 3D CBCT imaging and digital treatment planning on site. Albany: our Albany clinic serves the Great Southern region. Albany patients often rely on super release because specialist dental treatment would otherwise require travel to Perth. We keep as much of the care local as possible. Patients travel to us from across WA for super-funded work, including from Esperance, Bunbury, Mandurah, Geraldton, and smaller regional communities where access to specialist dental care is limited.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my super for dental implants?
Yes. Dental implants, from single tooth through to All-on-4 full arch, are one of the most common treatments funded through compassionate release of super.
Can I use my super for Invisalign or braces?
Yes, orthodontic treatment for teens or adults can qualify when clinical need (bite problems, pain, jaw issues) is documented.
How much super can I release for dental?
There is no fixed dollar cap, but the amount must match the quoted cost of the treatment. You cannot release more than you need.
How long does ATO approval take?
Typically 14 to 28 days from when SuperCare or AccessMySuper submits the complete application. Start to finish, most patients reach approval within 4 to 6 weeks.
What if the ATO rejects my application?
Rejection is uncommon when documentation is strong. If it happens, you can appeal or reapply with additional evidence. We will help identify what went wrong.
Can I use my partner or spouse’s super for my dental treatment?
Yes. A spouse, de facto partner, or dependant can release their super to pay for your treatment, provided they meet the ATO eligibility rules.
Is the money I release taxed?
In most cases yes. The tax rate depends on your age and your fund’s composition. Ask your super fund or a tax adviser for your rate.
Can I combine super release with private health insurance?
Often yes. Many of our patients claim what they can through private health first, then release super for the remaining balance. We itemise the quote so claims are straightforward.
How much does SuperCare or AccessMySuper charge?
Fees vary by case. Request a fee quote before committing. Fees are paid from the released funds, not upfront.
Can I use super for wisdom teeth?
Yes, where removal is medically necessary (impaction, infection, or persistent pain). Routine extractions may not qualify.
Disclaimer
Radiant Smiles Dental Care is a dental provider and is not a licensed financial adviser. Information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute financial, tax, or superannuation advice. Eligibility for early release of super on compassionate grounds is assessed by the Australian Taxation Office against its published criteria. For advice specific to your circumstances, consult a licensed financial adviser, your super fund, or the ATO directly at ato.gov.au.
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