What’s included with First Choice dental practitioners
Finding the right dentist is important. That’s why, at Dental On Clarendon your local nib First Choice Providers in South Melbourne, we pride ourselves on putting our patients first.
Get the most out of your Extras benefits with agreed First Choice network rates, which can help lower your out of pocket costs and stretch your Extras limits further.
First Choice network of dental practitioners offer treatments at agreed rates to help reduce your out of pocket costs, such as:
Urgent care same-day appointments.
Minor dental surgery
Root canal therapy
Mouth guards
Fillings
General dentistry check-ups for the whole family (if you have Family extras cover)
The amount you get back depends on your level of Extras cover. Our current range of Extras covers offer 50% to 75% back per visit at any recognised dental practitionerˣ, up to your annual limit.
By seeing a First Choice network provider you can benefit from agreed rates, which can help lower your out of pocket costs, and make your dental Extras limits last longer, leaving more cover for unplanned dental treatments.
Orthodontics is a specialised dentistry service that focuses on helping to correctly align teeth, bites and jaws. If your health cover, includes orthodontic benefits, you may be able to claim costs for various procedures such as braces and plates.
Orthodontia benefits start with an annual limit that increases each year. After serving a 12-month waiting period, you can begin claiming up to this starting limit.
For each calendar year with nib, your orthodontia annual limit increases by $100, regardless of previous orthodontia cover. For example, if you start with an $800 limit, it will increase to $900 in your second year, $1000 in your third year, and so on.
Each plan has a lifetime limit for orthodontia benefits. Once this lifetime limit is reached, no further claims can be made for orthodontia.
In South Africa, Dr Ian Malkinson spent 3 years in public and private dental practices. He and his wife immigrated to Melbourne, Australia in 1994. Here in Melbourne, Ian has been a member of the Australian Dental Association since 1994.
Dr Malkinson has been the Principal Dentist of his South Melbourne dental practice since 1995. The dental practice has grown over time from a small solo practice to a large group practice which offers all aspects of dentistry using the latest in dental technology.
Over the years, Dr Malkinson has completed numerous advanced dental courses.
Invisalign 2013
Implant surgical placement London institute of Seattle USA 2012
Dental implantology academy 2011
implant training at university of Adelaide 2011
Laser dentistry training university of Queensland 2011
Lumineers smile design training 2009
Sleep dentistry training 2014
Bone grafting 2017
Dr Ian Malkinson believes that the health of the patient’s mouth is the foundation to all dental care. Once the teeth and mouth are healthy, Dr Malkinson provides the patient with a smile they can be proud of. He believes that one’s mouth reflects their inner health. Cosmetic procedures such as Invisalign and crowns provide them with the confidence to enjoy their oral health. Many times these “cosmetic” procedures are part of the process of a healthy mouth that can provide a lifetime of pleasure, comfort and well-being. Dr Malkinson constantly strives to keep up to date with all the latest information and technology to provide his patients with a positive, personalised dental experience.
Dr Bal Reddy
Dentist
Dr Reddy was born and raised in the Bayside suburbs of Melbourne. She graduated from The University of Melbourne in 2005 with honours, after which she worked in Echuca in rural Victoria for a few years before moving to Adelaide. In Adelaide she worked in both public and private dental clinics, as well as tutored dental students at The University of Adelaide where she enjoyed helping the students grow in skill and in confidence. She is currently involved The University of Melbourne’s mentor program which aims to provide practical support to final year dental students as they transition into the workforce.
Dr Reddy greatly believes that being a health care professional is a privilege and she has spent a lot of time volunteering her services to those less fortunate. She was involved in The University of Adelaide’s Community Outreach Dental Program which provides dental care to the most vulnerable members of our society, including those that are homeless, at risk of homelessness, and also refugees. Being involved in such a program taught Dr Reddy that providing oral care is not just important from a health point of view, but it can also be vital in helping people have greater confidence and a greater sense of self worth. Dr Reddy has also travelled overseas to provide volunteer dental treatment – in 2013 she travelled to India as part of a multidisciplinary group that included doctors, nurses, optometrists and physiotherapists to provide health care and liaise with local agencies to improve services.
Outside of dentistry, Dr Reddy’s main passion is for Latin dancing which has taken her to South America a couple of times, and has also encouraged her attempts at learning Spanish. In 2015 Dr Reddy completed a Graduate Diploma in Language and Culture Studies with The University of South Australia which helped her hone her Spanish skills – however the real test is always when trying to communicate in a foreign country. She would love to go to South America again to continue dancing and continue her efforts in mastering another language.
Dr Reddy is passionate about preventative dentistry for the whole family. She strongly believes that by being fully informed you will be best placed to make the optimum decision for your individual needs, and the needs of your family. She will go the extra mile to help you achieve your dental goals.
Dr Paul Keong
Dentist
Formerly a concert musician, Dr Paul relished working with his hands thus leading him to complete a Doctor of Dental Medicine at the University of Western Australia.
Paul spent several years in private practice in Perth before relocating to Melbourne. His dental interests lie in restorative dentistry, dental implants and invisalign. Paul’s overenthusiasm in continuing professional development led him to complete multiple courses, including a Masters in Orofacial Pain through the University of Sydney and a Postgraduate Certificate in Dental Implantology through the Cambridge Academy of Dental Implantology.
Paul initially found his passion for dentistry on a chance volunteer trip to Cambodia, where he witnessed first-hand the importance of access to adequate dental care. Since then, Paul makes regular trips to Vietnam and Cambodia alongside a close-knit team of doctors and dentists to look after and provide treatment to underprivileged communities.
Outside of dentistry, Paul enjoys spending time with friends, going to the gym, playing tennis and volleyball, travelling and exploring all the food options Melbourne has to offer.
Happy to call Dental on Clarendon his work home, Paul looks forward to looking after your dental needs in a professional, but friendly and relaxing environment.
Dr Yingzhi (Alex) Xu
Dentist
Dr Yingzhi (Alexandra) Xu obtained her Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Otago, New Zealand in 2011.
During her studies, she had the opportunity to further her various interests in dentistry through research studies funded through scholarships. One of these projects resulted in publication with her as the second author in 2011.
After graduation, Dr Xu joined a large private practice in Perth’s CBD, where she worked for about four years. In 2015, Dr Xu moved to Melbourne and worked in private practice before joining Dental on Clarendon in late 2021.
Dr Xu believes that one of the most important components of dental excellence is listening to, and working together with, her patients to meet their needs and concerns. She also understands that seeing the dentist can be a source of anxiety for many. Therefore, Dr Xu strives to provide a relaxed environment and gentleness at every appointment.
Dr Xu is fluent in both English and Mandarin, having relocated at a young age with her family from China to New Zealand.
Outside of Dentistry, during her time in Perth, Dr Xu studied fashion design part-time at Curtin University and in 2014 won her category in Telstra Perth Fashion Festival Future Runway. Since moving to Melbourne, Dr Xu has continued in her creative pursuits and was one of the designers included in the Creative Victoria ‘Fashion Unites’ project with Multicultural Museums Victoria that was part of the Melbourne Fashion Festival Program 2021. Dr Xu’s interest in art and design gives her a keen eye for small detail and aesthetics that she applies to dentistry.
Dr Xu enjoys all aspects of general dentistry and looks forward to providing you with comprehensive dental care as part of the fantastic team at Dental on Clarendon.