Sandgate Family Dental is a nib First Choice Network dentist, which means nib members with extras cover can generally expect lower out-of-pocket costs on eligible dental services at our practice. We charge within nib’s agreed fee schedule, so your rebate goes further and your gap is kept to a minimum.

Our Sandgate practice provides dental care for the whole family — from six-monthly check-ups and cleans to children’s dental visits, restorative work, and cosmetic treatments. Whatever you need, we’ll explain how your nib cover applies and what your out-of-pocket cost will be before any treatment starts. We’re located at 12 Lagoon Street in the heart of Sandgate, with easy access from across North Brisbane.

What Is nib's First Choice Network?

nib’s First Choice Network is their preferred provider program for dental. When you visit a dentist within this network — like Sandgate Family Dental — the practice has agreed to charge within nib’s set fee schedule for eligible services. For you as a nib member, this means:

Your nib rebate covers a larger share of the treatment cost compared to a dentist outside the network
Your out-of-pocket gap is generally lower — and for some preventive services, there may be no gap at all depending on your nib extras tier
We can verify our First Choice Network status and confirm your eligibility when you book

Being part of nib’s First Choice Network is a pricing arrangement — it doesn’t change the standard of care you receive. Every patient at our practice is treated by our experienced dental team with the same level of attention and professionalism, regardless of their health fund.

Dental Services Commonly Covered Under nib Extras

Your nib dental extras cover depends on your specific policy tier. nib offers several levels of extras — from basic through to top-level cover — and each includes different dental services, annual limits, and waiting periods. Here’s a general overview of what nib extras may cover at our Sandgate practice:

Preventive and diagnostic dental care — this is where nib First Choice members tend to see the biggest savings. Check-ups, scale and cleans, fluoride treatments, fissure sealants, and dental x-rays are commonly covered under most nib extras policies. With our First Choice pricing, these visits may have a very low gap or no gap at all on certain policy tiers. We recommend scheduling preventive dental visits every six months to maintain your oral health and make good use of your annual limit.

General dental treatments — services like fillings, extractions, and emergency dental care are usually covered under most nib extras policies, though your rebate amount will depend on your tier. Our team will always give you a clear cost estimate before beginning any treatment.

Major dental and restorative work — crowns, bridges, dentures, root canal therapy, and other restorative dental treatments may be partially covered under mid-to-top tier nib extras. These services typically have a 12-month waiting period and separate annual sub-limits. If you’re considering major dental work, checking your nib policy in advance is important so you understand what’s covered and what the gap will be.

Children’s dental care — if your children are listed as dependants on your nib family policy, their dental visits may be covered under your extras. Eligible children can also access the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) through Medicare, and this can work alongside your nib cover. Visit our children’s dentistry page for details on how both programs can help your family.

Custom mouthguards — some nib extras policies provide benefits for custom-fitted sports mouthguards. If your child plays contact sport, this is worth checking with nib or asking our team about.

Ready to Use Your nib Cover?

We’ll confirm your First Choice eligibility and process your claim on the spot. See available appointment times or call us on (07) 3269 6252.

How nib Claims Work at Our Practice

Claiming your nib dental benefits at Sandgate Family Dental is quick and hassle-free. We process nib claims on the spot using our HICAPS terminal — after your appointment, you tap your nib membership card at reception, your rebate is applied instantly, and you only pay the remaining gap. There’s no claim form to complete and no need to wait for reimbursement from nib.

If we’re unable to process your claim electronically for any reason, we’ll provide you with the details you need to submit your claim through the nib app or member portal.

It’s a good idea to check your remaining benefit balance before you come in. You can do this through the nib app, the nib website, or by calling nib directly.

How to Get the Most From Your nib Dental Extras

A few minutes of preparation before your visit can help you avoid unexpected costs and use your nib extras wisely:

Check your remaining annual limit. Log in to the nib app or member portal to see how much of your dental extras balance is left for the current benefit period. This tells you exactly how much cover you have available.

Know your schedule of services. nib assigns specific benefit amounts to different dental items. Understanding what your policy covers — and at what rate — helps you plan your treatment and anticipate your out-of-pocket cost.

Confirm any waiting periods. If you’ve recently taken out nib extras, switched tiers, or added dental cover, some treatments may still be within a waiting period. nib’s general dental waiting period is typically 2 months, while major dental is usually 12 months — though this varies by product.

Bring your nib membership card. This is essential for on-the-spot claiming at our practice.

Let us know you’re with nib when you book. When you request your appointment, mention that you’re a nib member. We’ll confirm our First Choice Network status and give you a clearer estimate of your expected costs before your visit.

nib First Choice vs Non-First Choice — What's the Difference?

Understanding the difference between visiting a nib First Choice dentist and a non-network dentist can help you make a more informed decision about where to use your cover:

At a nib First Choice dentist (like our practice): The dentist charges within nib’s agreed fee schedule. Your rebate is calculated against these agreed fees, which means a higher percentage of the cost is covered. On some preventive treatments, this can result in a very low or zero gap.

At a non-First Choice dentist: The dentist sets their own fees, which may be higher than what nib reimburses. Your rebate is still based on nib’s benefit schedule, but because the treatment fee is higher, the gap between what nib pays and what you owe is typically larger.

The difference doesn’t affect the care you receive — it’s purely about pricing and how much of the cost your nib rebate covers. Choosing a First Choice provider simply means your extras work harder for you.

What If You Have a Different Health Fund?

nib is one of several health funds we hold preferred provider agreements with at our Sandgate practice. We’re also preferred providers for HCF, HIF, CBHS. We are also an approved provider for Smile.com.au. If your fund isn’t listed, you can still claim — we accept all major Australian health funds and process claims on the spot through HICAPS.

Visit our health funds page for a full overview of how your dental extras work at our practice.

No Health Insurance? You're Still Welcome

You don’t need nib or any private health cover to visit us. We provide clear, upfront pricing for every patient and every treatment. Our team will explain your options, outline the costs, and help you make an informed decision — no pressure, no surprises.

If your child is aged 0–17, they may qualify for up to $1,158 in bulk-billed dental care through Medicare’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule.

New to our practice? Our new patient offer makes your first visit easy and affordable, with or without health insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions About nib Dental Cover

How can I reduce my out-of-pocket cost as a nib member?

As a nib First Choice dentist, some preventive services — like a standard check-up and clean — may be fully covered with no gap for nib members on certain extras tiers. Whether you’ll have a gap depends on your specific nib policy and your remaining annual limit. We recommend checking your cover through the nib app or calling nib before your appointment.

What is nib’s First Choice Network?

nib’s First Choice Network is their preferred provider program. Dentists in this network have agreed to charge within nib’s set fee schedule, which generally means your rebate covers a larger share of the cost and your gap is lower. Sandgate Family Dental is part of this network.

How do I check if I have nib dental extras?

You can check your nib cover by logging into the nib app or member portal, or by calling nib on 13 14 63. Look for “extras” or “general treatment” on your policy — this is the component that includes dental benefits.

Can I claim my nib rebate on the spot?

Yes. We process nib claims at reception using our HICAPS terminal. Your rebate is applied immediately and you only pay the gap. No forms, no waiting for reimbursement.

What happens when I reach my nib annual dental limit?

Once you’ve reached your nib annual benefit cap for dental, any additional treatment during that benefit period is at your own cost. Most nib benefit periods run from calendar year (1 January to 31 December), but some policies use different anniversary dates — check with nib to confirm yours. Our team can help you plan your visits to use your limit effectively.

Does nib cover cosmetic dentistry?

Most nib extras policies focus on general, preventive, and restorative dental care. Cosmetic treatments such as dental veneers and professional teeth whitening are generally not covered under standard nib extras. Some top-tier products may offer limited benefits for certain procedures — check your policy or contact nib for specifics.

nib Dentist in Sandgate — Serving North Brisbane Families

Sandgate Family Dental is located at 12 Lagoon Street, Sandgate QLD 4017, in the heart of Sandgate village. We welcome nib members and families from across North Brisbane, including Shorncliffe, Deagon, Brighton, Bracken Ridge, Boondall, Clontarf, Taigum, and Fitzgibbon.

To book your next dental visit using your nib extras, call us on (07) 3269 6252 or book an appointment online.