Dentist in Bentleigh: The Complete Guide to Core Dental Bayside

Introduction

Bentleigh has long been one of Melbourne's most liveable suburbs — a place where tree-lined streets meet a thriving village atmosphere, where families put down roots and communities grow strong. It's the kind of suburb that has everything you need close at hand: great schools, excellent transport links, weekend markets, local cafes, and a genuine sense of neighbourhood.

What Bentleigh has been missing, until now, is a modern, comprehensive dental practice that matches the quality of the suburb itself — one that offers the full spectrum of dental services, from routine check-ups to advanced cosmetic and restorative treatments, all under one roof and backed by specialist referral access when you need it.

Core Dental Bayside changes that.

Located on the ground floor of the distinctive black Bayside complex building at the corner of South Road and Nepean Highway, Core Dental Bayside is the eighth practice in the Core Dental network and the newest member of the Smile Solutions Group. Purpose-built for modern dentistry, equipped with the latest technology, and designed around the way real people live their lives, it's a practice built specifically for this community.

Whether you live in Bentleigh, Bentleigh East, McKinnon, Ormond, Hampton East, Moorabbin, Brighton East, or Cheltenham, Core Dental Bayside is your local dental home — with the backing of Melbourne's most respected specialist dental group behind it.

Why Bentleigh Needed Core Dental Bayside

A Growing, Evolving Community

Bentleigh and the surrounding City of Glen Eira suburbs have experienced significant growth and renewal over the past decade. The suburb's transformation has been remarkable — once-modest post-war homes have given way to thoughtfully renovated family residences and contemporary townhouses, while the village shopping strip along Centre Road has blossomed into a vibrant precinct of cafes, boutiques, and specialty stores.

Young families have been drawn to the area by its outstanding school catchments — McKinnon Secondary College is among Victoria's highest-performing state schools, Bentleigh Secondary College has a strong and growing reputation, and Brighton Grammar School is nearby for families seeking independent education. The Saturday ritual of browsing Bentleigh Market for fresh produce, the morning coffee runs along Centre Road, the after-school activities at local parks and sporting clubs — this is a suburb that's alive with family energy.

With that influx of families comes increased demand for healthcare services, including quality dental care. Parents here invest seriously in their children's wellbeing — they research schools meticulously, they choose activities carefully, and they expect the same quality from their healthcare providers. A dental practice in Bentleigh needs to match that standard.

At the same time, Bentleigh's established residents — many of whom have lived in the area for decades — deserve a dental practice that combines modern technology and techniques with the personalised, unhurried care that comes from being part of a genuine community practice. The Greek and Jewish communities that have shaped this neighbourhood for generations value trust, relationships, and continuity — qualities that define the Core Dental approach.

The Core Dental Difference

Core Dental isn't a franchise. It's a network of individually designed practices that share a common philosophy: deliver exceptional general, cosmetic, and restorative dental care in comfortable, accessible locations, with the reassurance of specialist support always available through the Smile Solutions Group.

What makes Core Dental different from a standalone practice? It's the combination of local, personalised care with the infrastructure and specialist depth of a major dental group. Your dentist knows your name, remembers your history, and understands your preferences — but if you ever need a periodontist, an oral surgeon, or a prosthodontist, the referral pathway is immediate and seamless. You don't lose your dental home; you simply access a deeper level of expertise when you need it.

Each Core Dental practice is tailored to its community. Core Dental Bayside has been designed with Bentleigh families and local residents firmly in mind — from the ground-floor access that makes arriving with a pram or mobility aid effortless, to the eight dedicated car spaces that eliminate the stress of parking, to the Saturday morning appointments that fit around sport, shopping at Bentleigh Market, and weekend life.

As the eighth Core Dental location, Bayside represents the network's continued commitment to bringing quality dental care closer to the communities that need it — out of the CBD and into the suburbs where people actually live.

Your Dental Home: What to Expect

A Practice Designed for You

Walking into Core Dental Bayside, you'll notice immediately that this isn't your typical dental clinic. The practice occupies the ground floor of the striking black Bayside complex building, a landmark at the corner of South Road and Nepean Highway. The fit-out is contemporary, warm, and welcoming — a space that feels more like a well-designed living room than a medical facility.

The practice features five surgeries — three operational from opening day, with capacity to expand to five as the practice grows with the community. Each surgery is equipped with the latest dental technology, including digital X-rays, intraoral cameras, and CEREC CAD/CAM technology for same-day ceramic restorations.

The Team

The team at Core Dental Bayside has been carefully selected for their clinical expertise, their warmth, and their genuine passion for patient care. From the moment you call to book an appointment to the time you leave the practice, you'll be treated with the kind of attentive, personalised care that builds trust and keeps patients returning year after year.

While the clinical team brings extensive experience across all areas of general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, Core Dental Bayside also benefits from the broader expertise of the Smile Solutions Group network — meaning patients always have access to the right clinician for their specific needs.

Comprehensive Dental Services

Core Dental Bayside offers the full spectrum of dental care, from preventive check-ups through to advanced restorative and cosmetic treatments. Whether you need a straightforward clean and check-up, a complex smile makeover, or anything in between, the team has the skills, technology, and experience to deliver outstanding results.

What follows is an overview of the services available at Core Dental Bayside. For detailed information on any specific treatment, dedicated service pages are available on our website.

General and Preventive Dentistry

Prevention is the foundation of everything we do. Regular check-ups, professional cleans, and early detection are the most effective — and most affordable — ways to maintain your dental health long term. The old adage holds true: a dollar spent on prevention saves ten dollars on treatment.

Check-ups and Examinations

Comprehensive dental examinations at Core Dental Bayside include a thorough assessment of your teeth, gums, jaw joints, bite, and oral soft tissues. Digital X-rays provide detailed images of areas that can't be seen with the naked eye, allowing early detection of decay, bone loss, and other issues before they become painful or expensive to treat. We recommend six-monthly check-ups for most patients, though some may benefit from more frequent visits depending on their individual risk factors.

A check-up at Core Dental Bayside isn't a quick glance and a stamp of approval. It's a thorough assessment that considers your overall oral health picture — checking for early signs of oral cancer, assessing gum health, evaluating the condition of existing fillings and restorations, and identifying any changes since your last visit.

Professional Cleaning

Even the most diligent brushers and flossers miss some areas. Professional cleaning removes plaque and tartar (calculus) that home care can't, particularly below the gum line, between teeth, and behind the lower front teeth where tartar commonly builds up. Regular professional cleaning helps prevent gum disease, reduces staining, and keeps your breath fresh.

For patients who haven't visited a dentist in a while — and there's no judgement here, life gets busy — a thorough professional clean can feel like a genuine reset. Many patients are surprised at how much better their mouth feels after a proper clean and how much brighter their teeth look once surface staining is removed.

Children's Dentistry and the Tooth Fairy Centre

We welcome children from age two, because positive early dental experiences set the foundation for a lifetime of good oral health. Our Tooth Fairy Centre approach makes dental visits fun and engaging for young patients, with gentle examination techniques, preventive treatments like fissure sealants and fluoride applications, and a focus on building trust rather than fear.

We bulk bill under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), providing up to $1,026 in dental benefits over two years for eligible children aged 2 to 17 at no out-of-pocket cost.

Gum Disease Treatment

Gum disease (periodontal disease) is one of the most common chronic conditions in Australia — affecting around one in three adults to some degree — and if left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss. Research has also linked periodontal disease to serious systemic health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory infections, and complications in pregnancy.

The insidious thing about gum disease is that it's often painless in its early stages. You might notice a little bleeding when you brush or floss, but it doesn't hurt, so you ignore it. By the time symptoms become obvious — loose teeth, receding gums, persistent bad breath — significant damage may have already occurred.

The team at Core Dental Bayside provides comprehensive gum disease assessment and treatment, from professional deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) to ongoing maintenance programs. For advanced cases, referral to specialist periodontists within the Smile Solutions Group ensures patients receive the expert care they need.

Restorative Dentistry

When teeth are damaged by decay, fracture, or wear, restorative dentistry brings them back to full function and appearance.

Dental Crowns

Crowns — sometimes called "caps" — cover and protect weakened, cracked, or heavily filled teeth. At Core Dental Bayside, we offer same-day CEREC crowns using CAD/CAM technology, allowing us to design, mill, and fit a precision ceramic crown in a single appointment. No temporary crowns, no second visit, no waiting. For cases requiring specialised materials or complex aesthetics, traditional laboratory-made crowns are also available.

Dental Implants

Missing teeth affect more than your appearance — they impact your ability to eat, speak, and maintain the health of surrounding teeth and jawbone. Dental implants are the gold standard for tooth replacement, providing a permanent, fixed solution that looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth. Core Dental Bayside provides implant consultations and treatment planning, with complex surgical cases referred to experienced oral surgeons and implant specialists within the Smile Solutions Group.

Dentures

For patients missing multiple teeth, modern dentures offer a comfortable, functional, and natural-looking solution. Whether you need full dentures, partial dentures, or implant-supported dentures for maximum stability, the team can help you find the right option.

Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment saves teeth that would otherwise need extraction due to infection or damage to the tooth's nerve (pulp). Modern root canal techniques are comfortable, efficient, and highly successful. The team at Core Dental Bayside provides root canal treatment for straightforward cases, with complex cases referred to specialist endodontists within the Smile Solutions Group.

Dental Bridges

Bridges replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth to the natural teeth on either side of the gap. They provide a fixed, non-removable solution that restores your ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. Cosmetic dentistry at Core Dental Bayside can transform the way your smile looks and, more importantly, how you feel about it.

Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening is one of the simplest and most effective ways to rejuvenate your smile. We offer take-home whitening systems with custom-made trays and professional-grade whitening gel for safe, controlled, and dramatic results — typically several shades brighter than over-the-counter products can achieve.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin shells of dental ceramic bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth to correct chips, cracks, discolouration, gaps, and irregularities. They're the gold standard in cosmetic smile makeovers, offering exceptional aesthetics and durability. Through the Smile Solutions Group, Core Dental Bayside patients also have access to Same Day Porcelain Veneers at the Collins Street Specialist Centre.

Composite Bonding

Composite bonding is a versatile, conservative, and cost-effective alternative to veneers. Using tooth-coloured composite resin applied directly to the tooth, bonding can repair chips, close gaps, and reshape teeth in a single appointment — with no enamel removal and results you'll see immediately.

Smile Makeovers

A smile makeover combines multiple cosmetic treatments — whitening, veneers, bonding, gum contouring — into a coordinated plan designed to transform your entire smile. The team at Core Dental Bayside takes a holistic approach, considering your facial proportions, gum line, lip dynamics, and personal preferences to create a result that's uniquely yours.

Orthodontics

Invisalign Clear Aligners

Crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth don't just affect your appearance — they can make cleaning more difficult and increase the risk of decay and gum disease. Invisalign clear aligners offer a virtually invisible way to straighten your teeth without the brackets, wires, and dietary restrictions of traditional braces.

As a Blue Diamond Invisalign Provider, Core Dental Bayside has achieved one of the highest tiers of Invisalign experience. This means you're being treated by a team that has successfully managed a significant number of Invisalign cases across a wide range of complexity — from simple cosmetic alignment to comprehensive bite correction.

Invisalign is particularly popular in the Bentleigh area among adults who want to straighten their teeth without the visibility of traditional metal braces, and among teens who appreciate the ability to remove the aligners for sport, special occasions, and eating. Treatment times vary depending on complexity, with many cases completed in 6 to 18 months.

Emergency Dentistry

Dental emergencies don't wait for convenient times. Whether it's a knocked-out tooth after a Saturday morning footy match, a cracked tooth from an unexpected bite on something hard, or sudden severe toothache, the team at Core Dental Bayside provides prompt emergency care during opening hours. Call 13 13 16 to arrange an urgent appointment.

Sleep Dentistry

For patients with significant dental anxiety, a strong gag reflex, or complex treatment needs, sleep dentistry options are available. These range from happy gas (nitrous oxide) for mild anxiety to IV sedation and general anaesthetic through specialist referral within the Smile Solutions Group. No one should avoid dental care because of fear.

Facial Injectables

Anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers are available at Core Dental Bayside, delivered by clinicians with intimate knowledge of facial anatomy. Whether you're seeking to reduce fine lines, restore facial volume, or complement a cosmetic dental makeover, facial injectables offer subtle, natural-looking enhancement.

TMJ and Jaw Pain Treatment

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can cause jaw pain, headaches, clicking, and difficulty opening the mouth. The team at Core Dental Bayside provides diagnosis and management of TMJ issues, including occlusal splints (night guards), bite adjustment, and referral for specialist care when required.

Mouthguards

Custom-fitted mouthguards provide far superior protection compared to over-the-counter alternatives. Essential for anyone playing contact sports or ball sports — and particularly important for children and teens in Bentleigh's active sporting community.

Sleep Apnoea and Snoring

Obstructive sleep apnoea is a serious condition that affects quality of life and long-term health. Dental appliances (mandibular advancement splints) offer an effective, non-invasive alternative to CPAP machines for mild to moderate sleep apnoea. The team can assess your suitability and work with your sleep physician to provide the right solution.

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth commonly cause problems in the late teens and early twenties — pain, infection, crowding, and damage to adjacent teeth. The team at Core Dental Bayside assesses wisdom teeth with detailed X-rays and provides extraction for straightforward cases, with complex or surgical extractions referred to oral surgeons within the Smile Solutions Group.

Wedding Smile Packages

Your wedding smile will be captured in hundreds of photographs and treasured for a lifetime. Core Dental Bayside offers comprehensive pre-wedding smile packages — from professional whitening and composite bonding to Invisalign and porcelain veneers — tailored to your timeline and budget. Couple and bridal party packages are also available, making smile preparation a fun and memorable part of your wedding journey. With the bayside area's proximity to some of Melbourne's most beautiful beach and garden wedding venues, there's every reason to ensure your smile is as stunning as the setting.

Same-Day CEREC Crowns

For patients who value their time, CEREC CAD/CAM technology allows us to design, mill, and fit a precision ceramic crown in a single appointment — no temporary crowns, no second visit, no weeks of waiting. The digital workflow delivers exceptional precision and natural-looking results, all completed in approximately two hours.

Eight Dedicated Car Spaces: A Parking Revolution

Let's talk about something that matters more than most dental practices acknowledge: parking.

If you've ever tried to park near a dental practice on a busy shopping strip, you know the frustration. Circling the block, feeding meters, walking three streets in the rain, running back to top up the meter mid-appointment, or copping a parking fine because your appointment ran ten minutes over. It's stress you don't need, especially when you're already thinking about the dental work ahead.

Anyone who's tried to find parking along Centre Road in Bentleigh on a Saturday morning — or anywhere near Nepean Highway during weekday peak hours — knows this pain intimately. It's the hidden cost of every appointment: the five or ten minutes of circling, the walk from wherever you finally found a spot, the nagging worry about whether you'll get a ticket.

Core Dental Bayside has solved this problem with eight dedicated patient car spaces on the ground floor of the Bayside complex building. That means:

• No circling for street parking — your spot is waiting for you
• No parking meters — no coins, no apps, no time pressure
• No stairs or lifts — ground-floor access from your car to the practice door
• No parking fines — your space, your time
• No weather exposure — sheltered parking means you're not walking through rain or summer heat
• No distance to cover — the car spaces are right there, steps from the practice entrance

For parents arriving with young children strapped into car seats, elderly patients with mobility concerns, patients recovering from sedation dentistry, or anyone who simply values convenience, dedicated parking is a genuine game-changer. It's a feature that sets Core Dental Bayside apart from most dental practices in the area — and one that patients notice and appreciate from their very first visit.

Consider the practical scenarios: a parent bringing in a toddler for their first dental visit while managing a baby in a pram. An elderly patient with a walker who can't manage a long walk from a distant parking spot. A professional ducking in for a lunchtime appointment who needs to be in and out efficiently. Dedicated, ground-floor parking makes every one of these visits easier.

Ground-Floor Access

Accessibility matters — and it's something that too many healthcare providers treat as an afterthought, ticking compliance boxes rather than genuinely designing for ease of access.

Core Dental Bayside is located on the ground floor of the Bayside complex — no lifts, no stairs, no navigating building lobbies, no buzzing intercoms, no waiting for elevators. The entrance is at street level, making it effortlessly accessible for:

• Wheelchair users and patients with mobility aids
• Parents with prams and strollers
• Elderly patients who find stairs difficult or unsafe
• Patients recovering from sedation who may be unsteady
• Anyone who prefers to avoid stairs

Combined with the dedicated ground-floor parking, the result is a truly door-to-door experience. You park, you walk a few steps, and you're in the practice. When your appointment is finished, you walk a few steps and you're back in your car. It's the kind of seamless experience that, once you've had it, makes you wonder why every dental practice isn't designed this way.

The Specialist Referral Pathway

One of the most significant advantages of being a Core Dental practice within the Smile Solutions Group is access to a full team of dental specialists. While Core Dental Bayside provides comprehensive general, cosmetic, and restorative care, there are times when specialist expertise is needed — and that's where the referral pathway becomes invaluable.

Collins Street Specialist Centre

The Smile Solutions Group operates Melbourne's largest and most comprehensive specialist dental centre at Collins Street. The specialist team includes:

• Periodontists: Specialists in gum disease treatment, gum surgery, and dental implant placement
• Prosthodontists: Specialists in complex restorative dentistry, full-mouth rehabilitations, and advanced cosmetic cases
• Endodontists: Specialists in root canal treatment, particularly complex cases involving curved canals, retreatments, or microsurgery
• Oral surgeons: Specialists in surgical extractions, wisdom teeth removal, dental implant surgery, and jaw surgery
• Orthodontists: Specialists in tooth alignment using braces, clear aligners, and other orthodontic appliances
• Paediatric dentists: Specialists in treating children, particularly those with special needs, severe anxiety, or complex dental conditions

How the Referral Works

The referral pathway is designed to be seamless and stress-free:

1. Your dentist at Core Dental Bayside identifies the need for specialist input — this is discussed with you, including the reasons and expected benefits
2. A referral is made directly to the appropriate specialist at the Collins Street Specialist Centre, with all relevant records, X-rays, and clinical notes shared electronically
3. You attend the specialist appointment at Collins Street, where you're treated as part of the same family of practices — no repeating your history, no redundant X-rays
4. After specialist treatment, your care returns to Core Dental Bayside for ongoing management and monitoring
5. Communication flows both ways — your Core Dental Bayside team stays informed of your specialist treatment and coordinates ongoing care accordingly

This integrated approach means you get the best of both worlds: a local practice that knows you, backed by specialist expertise when you need it.

Why This Matters

In a standalone dental practice, if you need specialist care, you're typically given a name and phone number and sent on your way. You call the specialist yourself, wait for an appointment, fill in new patient forms, have duplicate X-rays taken, and then hope the specialist communicates the results back to your dentist. It's fragmented, inefficient, and sometimes things fall through the cracks.

The Smile Solutions Group model eliminates these friction points. Your care is coordinated, your records are shared, and your treatment team communicates directly. For complex cases that involve multiple specialists — for example, a patient who needs periodontal treatment before implant surgery before a prosthodontist fabricates the final crown — this coordinated approach is particularly valuable.

For Bentleigh families, it means peace of mind. Whatever dental challenge arises — from a child who needs specialist paediatric care to a grandparent who needs implant surgery — the pathway from your local dentist to the right specialist is clear, direct, and already established.

Location and Transport

Finding Us

Core Dental Bayside occupies the ground floor of the black Bayside complex building at the corner of South Road and Nepean Highway in Bentleigh. It's a distinctive building — you can't miss it. The practice address is:

G04A/973 Nepean Highway, Bentleigh VIC 3204

By Car

The intersection of South Road and Nepean Highway is one of Bentleigh's busiest and most recognisable intersections, accessible from all directions:

• From Bentleigh village and Bentleigh East: Head west along South Road; the practice is on your left at the Nepean Highway intersection
• From McKinnon and Ormond: South along Jasper Road or Tucker Road to South Road, then west to Nepean Highway
• From Hampton East and Brighton East: East along South Road to the Nepean Highway intersection
• From Moorabbin and Cheltenham: North along Nepean Highway; the practice is on your right just past South Road
• From Brighton and the beach: East along South Road or Bay Street to Nepean Highway
• From the Monash Freeway and beyond: Exit at Warrigal Road, head south to South Road, then west to Nepean Highway

Remember — eight dedicated patient car spaces are available on the ground floor. No street parking required. Just pull in, park, and walk straight into the practice.

By Public Transport

Train: Bentleigh Station on the Frankston line is approximately a five-minute walk from the practice. Exit the station, head south along Nepean Highway, and you'll find us at the South Road intersection. Trains run frequently throughout the day.

Bus: Several bus routes service the Nepean Highway corridor, with stops near the South Road intersection. Routes connecting Moorabbin, Brighton, Caulfield, and surrounding suburbs all pass close to the practice.

Accessibility

Ground-floor access, dedicated parking, and proximity to public transport make Core Dental Bayside one of the most accessible dental practices in the area.

The Bentleigh Community

Core Dental Bayside isn't just located in Bentleigh — it's part of Bentleigh. Understanding the community we serve helps us deliver the kind of care that fits the way people here actually live.

A Suburb of Families

Bentleigh is, above all, a family suburb. The housing stock tells the story — a mix of solid post-war homes, beautifully renovated period houses, and contemporary new builds that reflect the suburb's appeal to families at every stage. Young couples buy their first home here, raise their children, send them to local schools, and often stay for decades.

This family orientation is reflected in our practice design. From children's dentistry and the Tooth Fairy Centre to family block-booking (multiple family members in consecutive appointments), Saturday morning hours that fit around sport and activities, and the dedicated parking that makes arriving with kids a breeze — Core Dental Bayside is built for family life.

Cultural Diversity

Bentleigh and the broader City of Glen Eira are home to vibrant Greek and Jewish communities, alongside residents from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. This diversity enriches the suburb and shapes its character — from the food at Bentleigh Market to the celebrations that mark the calendar year. Core Dental Bayside welcomes patients from all backgrounds and is committed to providing culturally sensitive, respectful care.

An Active Community

The bayside suburbs are active suburbs. From Saturday morning sport at local grounds and local cricket and football clubs to runs along the Bay Trail, from swimming at the beach to gym sessions and yoga classes, residents here value their health and fitness. Kids play footy, netball, basketball, and soccer at clubs throughout Glen Eira. Adults cycle, run, and train across the region.

That active lifestyle comes with dental implications — custom mouthguards for contact sports (an absolute must for any child or adult playing organised sport), emergency treatment for sports-related dental injuries, and management of conditions like grinding and jaw clenching that can be exacerbated by physical and psychological stress.

Retirees and Older Residents

Bentleigh's established character means it's home to a significant population of older residents — people who've lived in the area for decades and have deep connections to the community. These patients have specific dental needs, including:

• Wear and ageing management: Decades of use take their toll on teeth. Worn enamel, receding gums, and increased sensitivity are common concerns that benefit from proactive management.
• Denture care: Whether maintaining existing dentures, considering new ones, or exploring implant-supported alternatives for greater stability and comfort.
• Dental implants: Replacing missing teeth to restore function, appearance, and quality of life. Modern implants are suitable for most older patients.
• Dry mouth management: Many medications commonly taken by older adults can cause dry mouth, significantly increasing the risk of decay and gum disease. The team can recommend strategies and products to manage this.
• Medical coordination: Dental treatment for older patients often requires consideration of medical conditions, blood thinners, osteoporosis medications, and other health factors. The team coordinates care appropriately.
• Crown and bridge maintenance: Older patients often have extensive restorative work that requires ongoing monitoring and eventual replacement.

Ground-floor access, dedicated parking, unhurried appointment scheduling, and a gentle, patient approach make Core Dental Bayside particularly welcoming for older patients. The team understands that dental visits can be more challenging as we age, and every aspect of the experience is designed to be as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

Payment Options and Health Funds

Core Dental Bayside is committed to making quality dental care accessible and affordable. We offer multiple payment options to suit different budgets and circumstances.

Health Fund Claiming

HICAPS on-site: Claim your health fund rebate on the spot using HICAPS electronic claiming. Simply tap your health fund card at reception and your rebate is processed instantly — you only pay the gap (if any).

Preferred provider for HCF, CBHS, and NIB: Members of these health funds receive preferred provider benefits at Core Dental Bayside, often resulting in higher rebates and lower out-of-pocket costs. We also accept all other health funds through HICAPS.

Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)

Eligible children aged 2 to 17 can receive up to $1,026 in dental benefits over a two-year period under the Australian Government's Child Dental Benefits Schedule. Core Dental Bayside bulk bills under the CDBS, meaning no out-of-pocket costs for covered services for eligible children.

Covered services include check-ups, X-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canal treatment on primary teeth, and extractions. Check eligibility through your Medicare online account or ask the team when you book.

Interest-Free Payment Plans

For treatments that represent a larger investment — cosmetic dentistry, implants, orthodontics, or comprehensive treatment plans — Payright offers interest-free payment plans from 3 to 30 months on treatments between $1,000 and $20,000. This means you can proceed with the treatment you need (or want) without financial stress, spreading the cost into manageable instalments with no interest charges.

No Surprises

Before any treatment begins, you'll receive a clear, detailed treatment plan outlining exactly what's recommended, why, and how much it will cost. We don't believe in surprises — financial or otherwise. If you have questions about costs, payment options, or health fund coverage, the team is always happy to help.

Opening Hours

Core Dental Bayside's hours are designed to fit around real life — work, school, family, and everything in between.

Early morning appointments from 8:00 am allow you to visit before work or school. Weekday appointments until 6:00 pm mean you can come after work or after school pick-up. Saturday morning hours are perfect for patients who can't make it during the week.

First Visit: What to Expect

If you're new to Core Dental Bayside — whether you've just moved to the area, you're switching from another practice, or it's been a while since you've seen a dentist — here's what your first visit will look like.

Before your appointment: You'll be asked to complete a brief health and dental history form. This helps the team understand your medical background, any medications you're taking, and your dental concerns and goals.

Your appointment: Your first visit typically includes a comprehensive examination, digital X-rays, and a professional clean. The team will take the time to understand your dental history, discuss any concerns, and develop a personalised treatment plan if any work is needed.

No pressure: If treatment is recommended, you'll receive a clear explanation of what's needed, why, and how much it will cost. There's never any pressure to proceed immediately — the team wants you to feel informed and comfortable with your decisions.

Ongoing care: After your first visit, you'll be placed on a recall schedule (typically six-monthly) to maintain your dental health with regular check-ups and cleans.

For patients who haven't been to a dentist in years, the team at Core Dental Bayside is experienced at making that return visit as comfortable and non-judgemental as possible. However long it's been, the important thing is that you're here now.

Technology and Innovation

Core Dental Bayside is equipped with modern dental technology that improves accuracy, comfort, and outcomes for patients.

Digital X-Rays

Digital radiography produces detailed images of teeth, roots, and bone with significantly less radiation than traditional film X-rays. Images appear instantly on-screen, can be enhanced for better diagnosis, and are stored digitally for easy comparison over time.

Intraoral Cameras

Small, pen-sized cameras that capture high-resolution images of inside your mouth. These images are displayed on a chairside monitor, allowing the team to show you exactly what they're seeing and explain any findings in a way that's easy to understand. It's one thing to be told you have a crack in a tooth; it's another thing entirely to see it yourself on a large screen.

CEREC CAD/CAM Technology

As described in detail above, CEREC technology allows same-day fabrication of ceramic crowns, inlays, and onlays — eliminating the need for temporary restorations and second visits for many restorative procedures.

Digital Scanning

Digital impression scanning replaces traditional goopy impression materials with a comfortable, quick, and highly accurate digital scan. This technology is used for Invisalign treatment planning, crown and bridge fabrication, mouthguard construction, and other applications where a precise model of your teeth is needed.

Infection Control

Core Dental Bayside adheres to the highest standards of infection control and sterilisation, meeting and exceeding Australian Dental Association guidelines. Every instrument is sterilised using hospital-grade autoclaves, and all surfaces and equipment are thoroughly disinfected between patients.

What Makes a Great Dental Experience?

We believe a great dental experience comes down to a few fundamental things:

Trust. You need to trust that your dentist is recommending what's genuinely best for your dental health — not what's most profitable. At Core Dental Bayside, treatment recommendations are always guided by clinical need and your personal goals. If a tooth doesn't need treatment, we'll tell you. If it does, we'll explain why and give you options.

Communication. Nobody likes feeling confused or uninformed about their own healthcare. The team takes the time to explain findings, discuss options, and answer questions — in plain language, without jargon, and without rushing.

Comfort. From the physical comfort of the dental chair to the emotional comfort of feeling welcome, respected, and genuinely cared for, every interaction at Core Dental Bayside is designed to put you at ease. We know that for many people, a dental visit carries some degree of anxiety — and we take that seriously, from the way we greet you at reception to the way we explain every step of your treatment.

Consistency. Seeing the same dental team who knows your history, understands your concerns, and remembers your preferences makes an enormous difference. Continuity of care isn't just a nice-to-have — it leads to better outcomes. When your dentist has seen the progression of your oral health over months and years, they can identify subtle changes and intervene early.

Convenience. Dental care should fit around your life, not the other way around. Convenient location, ample parking, accessible premises, flexible hours, and efficient scheduling all matter.

Competence. This is the non-negotiable. Clinical excellence is the foundation everything else is built on. The team at Core Dental Bayside brings extensive experience, commitment to ongoing professional development, and the backing of the Smile Solutions Group specialist network. Every treatment is delivered to the highest standard, with the knowledge that specialist support is available whenever a case warrants it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Core Dental Bayside accepting new patients?

Yes! Core Dental Bayside is now open and welcoming new patients of all ages. Whether you're looking for a new dental home, have just moved to Bentleigh or surrounding suburbs, haven't been to a dentist in years, or simply want to try a practice that puts patient experience first, we'd love to welcome you.

Do I need a referral?

No referral is needed for general, cosmetic, or preventive dental appointments. Simply call 13 13 16 or email bayside@coredental.com.au to book.

Is the practice wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Core Dental Bayside is on the ground floor with level access from the car park and street entrance. The practice is fully accessible for wheelchair users and patients with mobility aids.

Can I bring my children?

Absolutely. We welcome children from age two and provide a gentle, fun approach to children's dentistry through our Tooth Fairy Centre. We also bulk bill under the CDBS for eligible children.

What if I have a dental emergency?

Call 13 13 16 during opening hours and we'll arrange an urgent appointment as quickly as possible. We understand that dental emergencies are stressful and prioritise getting you seen promptly.

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes. Payright interest-free payment plans are available for treatments between $1,000 and $20,000, with plan terms from 3 to 30 months.

What health funds do you accept?

We accept all health funds through HICAPS on-site electronic claiming. We are a preferred provider for HCF, CBHS, and NIB.

How do I get there by public transport?

Bentleigh Station (Frankston line) is approximately a five-minute walk from the practice. Several bus routes also service the Nepean Highway corridor near our location.

Is parking available?

Yes — eight dedicated patient car spaces are available on the ground floor of the Bayside complex building. No street parking, no meters, no stress.

What's the difference between Core Dental and Smile Solutions?

Core Dental practices are general dental practices offering comprehensive dental care in suburban locations. Smile Solutions is the specialist dental centre at Collins Street in the Melbourne CBD. Both are part of the Smile Solutions Group, which means Core Dental patients have seamless access to specialist care when needed.

Think of it this way: Core Dental Bayside is your dental home — the team you see regularly for check-ups, cleans, fillings, cosmetic treatments, and most dental needs. Smile Solutions at Collins Street is the specialist centre you can be referred to when your care requires a higher level of expertise — such as complex oral surgery, specialist orthodontics, or advanced prosthodontic rehabilitation. The two work together seamlessly because they're part of the same group.

Can I see a specialist at Core Dental Bayside?

Core Dental Bayside is a general dental practice. If your treatment requires specialist input, the team will refer you to the appropriate specialist at the Collins Street Specialist Centre within the Smile Solutions Group. The referral process is seamless and coordinated.

Is Invisalign available at Core Dental Bayside?

Yes. Core Dental Bayside is a Blue Diamond Invisalign Provider, offering clear aligner treatment for a wide range of orthodontic concerns.

Do you treat nervous patients?

Absolutely. Dental anxiety is incredibly common — estimates suggest up to one in six Australian adults experience significant dental anxiety — and the team at Core Dental Bayside is experienced at helping nervous patients feel safe and supported.

Our approach includes a gentle, unhurried clinical style, thorough communication so there are no surprises, happy gas (nitrous oxide) for mild to moderate anxiety, and referral for sleep dentistry (IV sedation or general anaesthetic) through the Smile Solutions Group for patients who need it. Many anxious patients find that after a few positive experiences, their anxiety diminishes significantly.

No one should avoid dental care because of fear. If anxiety has been keeping you away from the dentist, we'd encourage you to call and have a conversation with the team. Sometimes just knowing what to expect makes all the difference.

Your Invitation

Core Dental Bayside exists because Bentleigh deserves a dental practice that matches the quality of the community it serves — a practice that combines modern technology, comprehensive services, and specialist backup with the warmth, accessibility, and personal touch of a true neighbourhood clinic.

We're not here to be just another dental practice. We're here to be your dental home — the place you trust with your family's smiles, the team that knows your name, the practice that makes dental care not just bearable, but genuinely positive.

With eight dedicated car spaces, ground-floor access, Saturday appointments, specialist referral pathways, flexible payment options, and a team that genuinely cares, Core Dental Bayside is ready to welcome you.

Core Dental Bayside G04A/973 Nepean Highway, Bentleigh VIC 3204 Ground floor of the black Bayside complex, corner of South Road and Nepean Highway

Phone: 13 13 16 Email: bayside@coredental.com.au

Opening Hours:

• Monday to Friday: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Saturday: 8:00 am – 1:30 pm
• Sunday: Closed

Suburbs We Serve

While Core Dental Bayside is located in Bentleigh, we welcome patients from across the bayside and inner south-east region, including:

• Bentleigh — our home suburb, just steps from Centre Road village
• Bentleigh East — a short drive west along South Road
• McKinnon — neighbouring suburb with easy access via McKinnon Road
• Ormond — just north, connected via train and road
• Hampton East — west along South Road toward the bay
• Moorabbin — directly south along Nepean Highway
• Brighton East — nearby with easy access via South Road
• Cheltenham — a short drive south along Nepean Highway
• Highett — easily accessible via Nepean Highway
• Brighton — a short trip east along South Road or New Street
• Carnegie and Murrumbeena — connected via Koornang Road and local streets

With dedicated parking, ground-floor access, and a location right on the Nepean Highway arterial, Core Dental Bayside is convenient for patients across a wide catchment.

Book your first appointment today by calling 13 13 16 or emailing bayside@coredental.com.au. Your smile is in good hands.