Who reviews each case?

Every reviewer is an AHPRA-registered Australian dentist, hand-vetted by us.

Can the dentist write a prescription or referral?

No prescriptions — Australian law requires an in-person dental visit for those. The dentist is able to write referrals if requested.

Can I claim this on Medicare or private health insurance?

No. Medicare doesn't cover adult dental, and private health extras only pay for in-person services.

How and when will I get my answer?

By email, with a link to your private result page within 24 hours of submitting your form.

What if it's an emergency?

If you have severe swelling, trauma, or uncontrolled bleeding, call Triple Zero (000) or go to your nearest emergency department right away. askadent is for non-urgent triage and shouldn't be used in an emergency.

Are my photos private?

Yes. Your photos are encrypted and hosted in Australia. We never use them for training, and we never share them with third parties.

Worried about a tooth? Get a reply within 24 hours.

Send guided photos. An AHPRA-registered dentist tells you what to do next, in plain English.

Get a full refund if we can't help.

Start an assessment — $25

Thought taking photos of my own teeth would be fiddly. The app walks you through it — flash on, hold the phone, line up with the on-screen guide. Done in two minutes.

Allison, 18-34

Took the first shot and the app told me it was too dark. Retook it with better light and it passed straight away. Way better than guessing if your photo's good enough and only finding out later.

Luke, 18-34

The reply was in plain English, not dentist-speak. Came with a summary I could copy and take to my dentist — she said it was useful to have before the appointment.

Cindy, 18-34

Not really a phone person, me. The setup tips said flash on and grab a teaspoon to pull the cheek out of the way. Sounds silly but it worked first go from the bathroom mirror.

Jenny, 50-64

I'd been putting off ringing the dentist for weeks. Submitted my case at 9pm and had a reply by lunch the next day. No phone calls, no waiting room, no taking the morning off work.

Michael, 50-64

Is this for you?

For the "should I worry?" moment.

Not full diagnosis. A photo-based opinion on whether to act now, soon, or wait — for the kinds of worries below.

A dark spot or possible cavity

"Is this decay starting?"

Bleeding or swollen gums

It's been a few days.

Sudden tooth sensitivity

Hot, cold, or biting.

A chipped or broken tooth

"Do I need to fix this now?"

A wisdom tooth coming through

Pain, swelling, or worry.

Your child's adult tooth

Loose, knocked, or coming in oddly.

Something else? Most concerns we can help with. Get started →

How it works

Three steps. No appointment, no jargon.

Tell us what's bothering you

Two minutes of plain questions. Tap, don't type

Send guided photos

On-screen guides line up the shot. Up to three photos from your phone

Get a real, honest answer

An AHPRA-registered dentist reviews your case and replies within 24 hours.

What you get back

How worried should you actually be?

Conservative when in doubt. "See someone soon" beats "you're probably fine" — every time.

Routine

No rush — at your next regular visit

Within 4 weeks

Not urgent, but should be looked at

Within 1 week

Should be seen relatively soon

Urgent

Seek care today, or go to emergency dental

See it in action

What an assessment actually looks like.

Real examples across all four urgency levels — what you send in, and what comes back.

Here's what you tell us

Concern: Something looks off
Where: Upper-front tooth
Started: Months ago
Notes: White marks I've had for years — wondering what they are.

Here's what you get back

Routine

No rush — at your next regular visit

Looks like dental fluorosis on your front teeth — a developmental change from a bit too much fluoride as a kid. Healthy enamel, not decay.

Nothing to do. Mention it at your next check-up. If they bother you cosmetically there are options (polish, resin, veneers), but it's optional.

Reviewed by an AHPRA-registered Australian dentist 10 July · DN-2026-J9P4

Here's what you tell us

Concern: Something broke
Where: Upper-front tooth
Started: A few days ago
Notes: Bit into something hard at dinner — sharp edge keeps catching my tongue.

Here's what you get back

Within 4 weeks

Not urgent, but should be looked at

A small chip on the edge of one of your front teeth — enamel only, no nerve exposure which is why you're most likely not feeling any sensitivity. The rough edge is what's catching and bothering your tongue.

Book in within a few weeks for a quick smooth-and-bond. Your dentist should be able to blend the filling material so it will look just like your tooth so no need to worry about your future smile!

Reviewed by an AHPRA-registered Australian dentist 10 July · DN-2026-K7F3

Here's what you tell us

Concern: It hurts
Where: Lower-right tooth
Pain: Moderate, sharp
Started: A few days ago
Triggers: Cold, sweet, chewing

Here's what you get back

Within 1 week

Should be seen relatively soon

A cavity in one of your lower-right back teeth that's gone past the surface into the layer underneath — that's the cold, sweet, and biting pain. Good news: it settles once the trigger's gone, so the nerve hasn't flared up yet.

Book in this week. Caught now it's likely a filling; left another couple of weeks and you're heading toward a root canal.

Reviewed by an AHPRA-registered Australian dentist 10 July · DN-2026-M2X8

Here's what you tell us

Concern: It hurts
Where: Upper-right tooth
Pain: Severe, throbbing
Started: A few days ago
Triggers: Hot, chewing, pressure
Symptoms: Swelling

Here's what you get back

Urgent

Seek care today, or go to emergency dental

A dental abscess — an infection at the root of one of your upper-right back teeth. The throbbing, swelling, bite pain, and night pain all fit. It won't clear on its own; painkillers only mask it.

See a dentist today. They'll drain it and treat the tooth — root canal, extraction, or antibiotics if it's spreading. If your usual dentist can't fit you in, go to an emergency dental clinic.

Reviewed by an AHPRA-registered Australian dentist 10 July · DN-2026-Q5N7

Common questions

The things people ask first.

Live somewhere rural? See No dentist nearby — what to do for symptom triage, when to travel, and public dental options in every state.