I’ve been visiting Better Health Network Prahran on and off for the past two years, mainly because it’s a nearby dental clinic that offers bulk billing for concession card holders. Location wise, it’s super central in Prahran with trams right out the front, an easy walk to nearby train stations, and there’s paid parking around the area. The clinic itself is modern, clean, and well looked after, with waiting areas across two levels and accessible entry, including a lift to get upstairs. In terms of staff, my experiences have been quite mixed. I’ve had some really lovely interactions. Especially with one dental assistant who was so chatty, and incredibly comforting, which made a big difference given my fear of the dentist. The reception team has also always been kind and helpful, which I really appreciate. However, the actual treatment side has been more challenging. I’ve been going through a root canal process that has stretched out over more than a year, and I’ve seen multiple different dentists due to staff changes and leave. While it’s understandable that things happen, the lack of continuity and follow up has made the process feel really drawn out and, at times, frustrating. There were moments where appointments were cancelled and not properly followed up, which meant I ended up repeating parts of treatment with different practitioners. I also had an infection after the initial stage of treatment, and while I sought care through the dental hospital, the communication between them and BHN didn’t feel very coordinated even though I’d given permission for information sharing. As someone who finds dental visits quite anxiety inducing, I’ve tried to communicate my needs, including that I’m autistic and benefit from patience and clear communication. While some staff have been really supportive, there have also been times where I felt unheard, and I’ve left appointments quite overwhelmed in tears. Overall, I have mixed feelings. On one hand, it’s an accessible service that fills a really important gap, and there are genuinely kind staff there. On the other hand, the inconsistency in care and communication has made parts of my experience quite difficult. I think it’s a valuable service, especially for those who need bulk billing options, but it can be a bit hit or miss depending on who you see.
