Cost is one of the most common reasons a dental visit gets put off. Afterpay is one way to spread the cost of your care into smaller payments, so a small problem does not have to wait until it becomes a bigger one.
Why it helps to see a dentist early
For many people in New Zealand, cost is the reason a dental visit gets delayed. The New Zealand Health Survey has consistently found that cost stops a number of adults from seeing a dentist when they need to, and it is easy to leave a small issue alone when money is tight.
The difficulty is that dental problems rarely settle on their own. Early decay, a cracked filling or the first signs of gum disease are usually simpler and less costly to treat than the same problem six months later. Being seen while an issue is still small often means fewer appointments and a lower overall cost.
How Afterpay works
Afterpay is a buy now, pay later service that splits a payment into four equal instalments over six weeks. You pay roughly the first quarter at the time of treatment, and the remaining three payments come out of your debit or credit card automatically every two weeks. When you pay on time, Afterpay is interest-free, so you pay the treatment price and nothing more.
Using it with us is straightforward:
- 1/Choose Afterpay when you settle your account at the practice.
- 2/Log into your Afterpay account, or create one. It is free to join.
- 3/Pay about a quarter of the cost on the day.
- 4/The remaining three payments are taken automatically every two weeks.
What Afterpay suits, and what to know first
Afterpay works well for spreading the cost of everyday dentistry, such as a check-up, a scale and clean, a filling or a single crown. It is worth knowing that Afterpay sets a spending limit for each person. In New Zealand this usually starts lower and can rise to around $2,000 as you build a history of paying on time, so a larger treatment plan may sit above your limit. If that happens, we can talk through other ways to manage the cost.
A few practical points. You need to be 18 or over, a New Zealand resident, and hold an eligible debit or credit card. Afterpay runs a credit check when you sign up, which may affect your credit score. Afterpay stays interest-free only while payments are made on time. If you miss one, a late fee applies, currently $10 to begin with and a further $7 if it is still unpaid seven days later, capped per order under Afterpay's terms. It is a useful tool when it fits your budget, so it is worth checking the fortnightly amounts feel comfortable before you commit.
Other ways we help with the cost
Afterpay is one option among several. Before any treatment we give you a written quote, so there are no surprises. We also accept Southern Cross Easy-Claim, and we lodge ACC and WINZ claims for you where you are eligible, which can reduce what you pay for accident-related or essential care.
Your first exam with digital X-rays is $79, which lets you find out where things stand before you commit to anything further. From there, you and the dentist can plan any treatment in a way that suits your budget, including staging larger work over time where that helps.
Booking with us
Supertooth Dental Auckland is at the Auckland Airport Shopping Centre, with free parking at the door and appointments available on Sundays. We aim to be gentle with nervous patients and to explain your options clearly, including how you would like to pay.
To book, call 09 964 0508 or text 022 852 4000, or book online at any time. If you are unsure whether Afterpay suits your situation, ask us and we will walk you through it.
Quick questions
- Does Supertooth Dental Auckland charge more if I use Afterpay?
- No. When you pay your instalments on time, Afterpay is interest-free and you pay the treatment price. Afterpay charges the practice a fee, not you.
- What if my treatment costs more than my Afterpay limit?
- Talk to us. We can give you a written quote and discuss other options, including Southern Cross Easy-Claim, ACC or WINZ claims where you qualify, and staging treatment over time.
- Is Afterpay really interest-free?
- It is interest-free while you pay on time. If you miss a payment a late fee applies, so it is worth checking the fortnightly amounts fit your budget first.
- Who can use Afterpay?
- You need to be 18 or over, a New Zealand resident, and hold an eligible debit or credit card. Afterpay makes the final decision and runs a credit check when you sign up.
Sources: New Zealand Dental Association, guidance on regular dental check-ups · Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health, New Zealand Health Survey, cost as a barrier to dental care · ACC, dental treatment for accident-related injuries · Afterpay New Zealand, how it works and terms of service. This article is general information, not a substitute for an examination and personal advice from a dentist. If you're in pain or unsure, book a visit or call 09 964 0508.
