Teachers Health Centre Surry Hills - Dental & Eyecare

Fantastic experience: I was impressed with the service I received this morning from the front desk customer service. They were alll focused on my issues which was great particularly their Manager. They gave me a positive vibe on their customer focus services on a daily base. The dentist Dr Ben .. was equally supportive and did a great job on my teeth health. Great Services

Fantastic experience: We have been with teachers health from our late teens and now in retirement. They have been worth every cent we have paid , their service and response is top

Fantastic experience: Good professional dentists to attend to your needs.

Negative experience: Had a poor experience here in 2022. Wasn’t looked after too well at all.

Negative experience: I’ve seen two different dentists at the Surry Hills Teachers Health Centre and, unfortunately, had negative experiences with both. On each occasion, I specifically requested to be booked with the most gentle female dentist available, but neither of the dentists I saw could be described as gentle. I saw the first dentist several times, hoping things would improve, but her approach remained consistently rough and painful. I eventually felt I had no option but to change. The second dentist was fine during the initial visit, but at the follow-up, she was irritated and dismissive, and it felt as though she was rushing me out the door. That appointment also involved a dental nurse who appeared to be inexperienced and unsure of what she was doing. There was noticeable tension between the dentist and the nurse—the dentist spoke to her with clear disdain, which made the experience even more uncomfortable. I would genuinely like to continue receiving dental care at the Teachers Health Centre, especially as it’s included in my cover. However, these experiences have left me feeling apprehensive about returning.

Fantastic experience: I went here for the first time for an eye check up. From the moment I arrived, I was made to feel welcome. They were very professional at the front desk, filled out some paperwork and went to my appointment on time. The eye test was extremely thorough with obviously the latest technology. Very impressed and have to.go back for a follow up. As a bonus, a couple of nice cafes very close by.

Positive experience: THF are a great insurer to be with, but the announcement. 'Good news on the Healthscope front! We have a new in-principle agreement with the hospital group.' After Healthscopes recent bad press! Under paying nurses and the death of a child at Northern Beaches Hospital due to ineptitude. And multitude of other failings pretty bad timing for an announcement.

Negative experience: I had two fillings done. The injection was done into my lip and it swelled up like I'd done 15 rounds with Mike Tyson. It also caused a 20mm ulcer in my lip which is extremely painful. I was also not provided with an estimate of expenses pre procedure or an invoice post procedure. They get 1 star and not zero because a doctor rang me back and the missing documents were provided after I had complained about treatment and he had he phoned me back. In 60 years of going to the dentist, this was my worst experience . I am very disappointed because all my other experiences with Eye Health and Dental health have been excellent

Negative experience: Last week I visited Teachers Health Dental Surry Hills for the first - and last - time. I had no problems and was there principally for a check up and clean. Reception staff were friendly and helpful. But that’s where “friendly” and “helpful” ended. When the dentist called me in, he didn’t even have the courtesy to introduce himself. From that point on I felt like I was on some sort of production line. The dentist gave instruction after instruction to his assistant without reference to me at all. A robot would have had more empathy and better interpersonal skills. As it was my first visit - and there definitely won’t be a second - I was instructed that x-rays would be required. I had no problem with that. Following the x-ray, he proceeded to examine my teeth. He constantly instructed his assistant in technical language I did not understand. He made no reference to me and offered no explanation. I might just as well have been a lump of wood lying there at their mercy while they discussed the carve up. Next, he started the routine cleaning. He was rough and in response to my flinching and attempt to explain I had sensitive gums, he said if I wanted him to check and clean my teeth I’d just have to put up with a bit of pain. In response I told him if he couldn’t do a little better I’d get up and leave. I didn’t, but the experience just went from bad to worse. There is more I could say but maybe that’s enough. In short, the whole process was dehumanising and humiliating. So if you want to be dehumanised and humiliated, Teachers Health Dental is the place to go.

Fantastic experience: I recently visited the optometrist at Teachers Health, Surry Hills branch. Optometrist Miriam Liu was extremely polite, super efficient and shared detailed insight regarding my results. Hangmai Lam's sales service was outstanding. Hangmai knows what frames and lenses suit individual face shapes. Her recommendations are spot on. Hangmai is an expert in her role, she is honest, friendly and professional. I highly recommend the services Teachers Health Surry Hills optometrist offer. Did you know they offer 25% discount on quality sunglasses?

Negative experience: I went in to have my frame fixed on my glasses and the person said they couldn't fix it and it would cost me $50. It is not even 1 year old and I spent a lot of money buying them. I know the health insurance covers some of it, but I still spent $400 out of my pocket. I just don't think it is fair.

Negative experience: This company put me on an incorrect LHC, which has taken me 5 years and lots of time and effort to recover and repair. The service centre in Surry Hills Sydney is going downhill so fast. The staff are miserable, the services are being cut back constantly. My last experience in the Dental section was beyond a joke, it was verging on abuse. The dental team convinced me to sign some treatment prices when I specifically asked not to. I was told a root canal was the only option and almost pinned to a dental chair and forced to have it!! Luckily, I left the room, left the service centre and left Teachers Health. When I went to a different dentist, they were shocked, appalled and my tooth has been fine since. I am disgusted and shocked at the poor treatment I received with Teachers Health. AVOID AT ALL COST

Fantastic experience: I recently visited Teachers Health and was absolutely impressed by the entire experience. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by friendly and helpful staff. There was practically no waiting time, which was a refreshing change compared to other healthcare providers. The doctor I saw was super professional and courteous. They took the time to thoroughly explain everything related to my eye exam, making sure I understood each step. The examination itself was efficient yet thorough. The doctor used state-of-the-art equipment and conducted every test with exceptional care.

Fantastic experience: Good array of seating options. Mostly surrounded by glasses frames. Business split between optometry and dental. Share the same secretarial booth but function separately to each other. Parking can be trickey depending on appointment time as its street, metered parking. I have received a parking fine for exceeding paid parking as the appointment went longer than anticipated.

Positive experience: My eye checkup with Mika was insightful, professional, and friendly would recommend. Selecting glasses with another person was confusing a bit too fast paced. Felt left in the dark as I didnt know my options and i couldnt ask for further clarification because I got an unwelcoming vibe. Edit: No follow up reply from teachers health. Very poor email service from the email listed below in. Due to this I changed the rating from "4 stars" to 3.

Negative experience: Getting back information on the promised time doesn't seem to be a priority nor a strength. That's food for thought.

Negative experience: The glasses I received from the Surry Hills centre last month are the worst pair of glasses I've ever had. Trying them on, half a dozen of centre's lights reflected back into my vision. I raised this with the staff member who said - anti-glare lens prevent that but it wasn't an option to add that now. I asked if anti-glare lens had been offered to me when I was ordering the glasses - and he admitted it hadn't. Wearing the glasses since then and it feels like I'm looking out of a fish bowl. I wasn't going to complain, figured I'd let it go and get a new pair somewhere else. But, I've called twice to ask that my script be emailed but I haven't received it. The second time I called, the operator said 'Well, I've pressed send on the email so there's nothing more I can do'. I spent half my day off going to the shop front to collect a printout of the prescription - then taken a photo of the thing and emailed it to myself - which they could have easily done themselves.

Fantastic experience: Thank you so mucy for your GIVEBACK that I received today. It is very much appreciated!

Positive experience: Been with the fund a very long time Have felt that the extra cost for extras cover did not cover the return for dental fees (had all 4 wisdom teeth extracted in one surgery as one was badly impacted). Teachers health only partially covered the surgery Dropped coverage to mid tier hospital, had a sports injury which needed an emergency joint replacement surgery, free through the public system (and surgery done sooner) wanted to have the surgery done at a private hospital but hospital wanted to charge $11k for private for something 100% covered by medicare in the public system. inquired if top teir cover would have made a difference, still would have only received a partial rebate. makes one question the use of PHI outside of a medicare levy surcharge reduction

Fantastic experience: Very good, very helpful

Negative experience: Once upon a time this was a great health fund. Now as others say, you can’t log in, and can’t call them either. So, as a strung out carer of an extremely high needs parent, you have to put off making claims because it’s too time consuming. Then voila, before you know it, the deadline has past & too late to submit that claim. The difficulties of trying to get them on the phone have existed for YEARS so it’ll never change -

Negative experience: Why do I wait 1 month for a $40 rebate? Teachers Health is a multimillion dollar enterprise, I’m a single parent, and I pay my premium monthly and on time.

Negative experience: Have been waiting on line to speak with someone for over 40mins- I give up!!!

Negative experience: Extremely long service call wait. Trying to claim through app limited to select services, and app is quite clunky. Website not very user friendly. Refund levels no longer class leading, and sometimes lower than competitors.

Negative experience: 18 years our family have be with them. Cancelling asap. Customer service is no longer existent as you can’t even get anyone to answer anymore. You can tell there is massive issues internally at this point and best to go somewhere where you can actually speak to someone. The whole call and get a call back thing the next day isn’t sustainable. Frustrating as I have been trying to update my payments and they won’t even answer for me to pay them their money and then cancel our insurance until we pay. They need to look after their customers before they have none left.

Negative experience: I had surgery in over two months ago and have had to resubmit my claim twice the process is so incredibly painful and slow. It took over 15 days for them to essentially do nothing but ask for more information. I’ve called countless times for advice (hours wasted on hold) on how to best submit so it gets processed but the advice changes each time I’ve called. It’s been almost 2 months now and I haven’t received a cent. I’ve been a member for 32 years and it’s really sad to see the limited level of service, support and coverage teachers health now offer. I can’t imagine how hard it would be for an impaired/ elderly person to go through a hospital claim process, It’s anxiety provoking and frustrating (a health issue in itself).

Negative experience: Very expensive for nothing! Pay outs are not very good, high wait times & unused benefits do not roll over. Customer service is non- existent & their members own dentists are unfriendly & not excellent. Will be leaving this fund

Negative experience: recently shifted across to teachers health. have not been able to speak with customer service once have tried at least 6 times and gave up after waiting over an hour each time. have had claims knocked back which the sales person assured me i would be covered for but can not talk to anyone to discuss it. will be going back to BUPA ASAP

Negative experience: Trying to contact teachers health by phone is frustrating , placed in a queue , then after 45 minutes it just hang up .

Negative experience: This looks like the beginning of the end for Teachers Health. It is slowly but surely turning from what used to be a great health fund into a hopeless fund with the spirit and attitude of a greedy insurance company. Let's not mention their call service, it is inexistent. You are either on hold forever or they give you the option of a calling back on the next day at a convenient time for you. They of course never do. There are two things they are good at though. The first one is to sweep the problem under the carpet. The other, is to thoroughly check that you have paid your membership and even when you are up to date with your membership cover, they give themselves the right to anticipate that you soon may become financial, especially when the end of the month is approaching. Don't rely on this fund to pay for your medical services on the last day of the month! They, just, won't do it. I am on their top cover $2700/year with plenty of benefits left. Yesterday I had a dental bill of $1140 and Teachers Health Fund declined every single items. Apparently I have over $4000m worth of dental benefit on my account. What is Teachers Health good for? It does not matter how a great fund they claim to be, just don't take their words for it. And if you have any doubts about what I just claimed, look at their response below!

Negative experience: I spent 30 minutes on the phone listening to the usual drivel while being told that " your time is important to us, we are currently experiencing an unusually high call volume" after which I was unceremoniously disconnected.Come on, get real!!! We pay over $5000 a year for this poor customer service and I have decided to find a better health fund. Whatever happened to customer service???

Negative experience: Three times on hold for well over an hour each time. Apparently unable to upload scans of receipts. Three times separate emails sent with different file types to best enable upload/access and request for a response of receipt (none received). Claim still pending for 2 weeks.

Negative experience: My partner has been on hold for 3hours still waiting to get through. Can't log in because will not accept email address. Tried two different addresses. No go. Hence the need to speak to a real person. Second grumble got a letter to say her new membership card will arrive soon?? That was over two months ago. Definitely not good service

Negative experience: Always a wait time of at least an hour on the phones. So annoying. And the people I deal with never know what they talk about and constantly put me on hold or cut off. Very quick to increase rates or answer you when adding on members of course. Shame.

Negative experience: Both provider and member support is abysmal. Being put on hold for thirty minutes and then cut off two times consecutively. Their ‘callback’ option is a joke. They call you to put you on hold again for excessive periods. How are people meant to actually use the service?

Positive experience: How sad it is to see Teachers Health slide down to the level of many other companies these days with service levels. I have no problems with the level of coverage but have spent 3 hours on the phone waiting and left 2 callback message over 4 days with no response. I was one of the best but now......

Negative experience: I am absolutely frustrated and let down by Teachers Health appalling customer service. I tried twice yesterday to phone them. i did not want a call back as previously did not receive one when requested.I spent a total of 3.5 hrs on hold. they are way understaffed , (blaming Covid in September is an easy cop out )and would prefer everyone use the internet. Finally got through today.I am seriously considering moving to Westfund with an office in my town where I will easily be able to speak to a customer service representative. Have been with Teachers Health for well over 20 years. Can’t believe the lack of importance placed on telephone availability.

Negative experience: Impossible to contact- never return call backs and only offer to return calls the next business day. App always crashes and online claims difficult to submit- also extremely expensive for family cover.

Negative experience: Unfortunately I'm not able to give Teachers Health zero star rating! It seems whatever time one calls, one receives the message, "We are currently experiencing a high volume of calls ... still working hard", etc., etc. I've already spent more than an hour and a half on hold over three days! On a previous day I asked for a call-back but after waiting a couple of hours, I had to leave home for a prior commitment. I've checked Google's busy times chart to try to avoid busy times. My phone now states that I've been on hold 32.52 minutes. I dialled the number at 9.00am. My last call to Teachers Health was almost a year ago and the experience was similarly frustrating and time-consuming. Management really needs to employ more call centre staff!

Negative experience: Very poor claims service.While the customer care representative is helpful and polite...there is much lacking at the Claims Department. Am a Top Cover Member for over 25years I am seeing a decline in their services despite the increase in premiums.The out of pocket claims have also increased.

Fantastic experience: This service is only available to public school teachers & relatives.

Negative experience: Pick up the phone

Negative experience: Don't return calls, impossible to talk to anyone and decline claims by mistake and make you claim all over again while being very ill. Not helpful just increases stress, shameful!!

Fantastic experience: A very professional, dedicated and friendly health fund

Negative experience: They said they would refund flu vaccinations. When I put my claim in they said I had had my flu vaccine 4 days too early making my claim invalid - how ridiculous!!!

Negative experience: Customer service is woeful. I had a straightforward request to suspend my cover while overseas. I'm sure for other providers it would be an easy option to select online, but no it's 2022 and you still have to email Teachers Health a written application form to suspend your cover. It's been a month and it still hasn't been resolved, while I'm still being charged every fortnight. They take days to respond to emails. Look elsewhere for health insurance unless you enjoy dealing with this circus.

Negative experience: Everytime I have called, I have waited for at least 40 minutes and still have never gotten through to anyone. I have also requested a call back service at a specific time and had them call me back at a time I didn't request. Good luck ever trying to get a hold of anyone

Negative experience: Frustrating experience, why won't they hire more staff? They updated their app and it doesn't work for claims ever. Crashes every time I upload a doc. I raised the issue and they have done nothing to fix it over a year later. email response time is 4 days standard. Unacceptable! Near impossible to speak to service,i give up after 30mins. Call back system, they ring you once and then too bad if you miss the call, your back to square one. What's the point of having insurance when they they put profit before the customer..Theres no way to make a claim without jumping through hoops after hoop and then road blocks. Imagine you have a question; it will take half a day waiting on the phone if it doesn't hang up/time out. Seriously considering exploring other options.

Fantastic experience: Have been using this service for many years and always happy. Recently ordered some new glasses and had the most helpful, exceptionally friendly and kind service-and would like to say “thank you”. I think the person’s name was David-absolute gold! Thank you!

Negative experience: Transferred to TH to access what I believed to be a better customer service and overall greater benefits. Sadly this has not been the case. It takes considerable time to access any service or assistance via telephone contact and in many cases you have to log for a return call. Clearly TH are in need of additional resources to service their clients to an acceptable standard. Regretting my move from previous health insurer.

Negative experience: worst telephone service imaginable. I am retired and pay our (Mr & Mrs) annual subcrition fdor THFTop Cover amounting to $5535.05 once a year, BUT I had a question before I paid over this not too little amount. I have been on hold for 62 minutes now. I am pleased that I am retired as I couldn't find time to sit for 62 minutes and counting to speak to a person (whilst being assured we are experiencing a high volume of calls). It is true that you can request a call back but the terms of when (today, withing 24 hours, ASAP) are not explained. If you want an explanation of the latter you have to speak to a person. This is a perfect BLACK HOLE.

Fantastic experience: I’ve been going to Teachers Dental for years. Nancy has helped me through gum issues as well as TMJ disorder. She’s been so professional and attentive all this time - always following up and offering solutions. She’s also a really nice person - caring and thorough. I’m really happy with with my dentist :)

Negative experience: I am incredibly disappointed that THF does not reward customer loyalty. I have been with THF for 13 years after coming off my parents policy at the age of 22. I recently had a baby and wanted to upgrade my policy from a singles cover to a family cover (adding my partner, who was with a different health fund, and our newborn). Whilst investigating my cover options, I noted THF had a promotion for 6 weeks free cover and no waiting period for some extras. Given my partner and baby were new to the fund, I asked about receiving this offer but was rejected as I was already with the fund. Given my long term loyalty to the fund, bringing 2 new customers to THF and spending an additional $190 per month on premiums, I felt especially ripped off they could not reward me with this saving. I would like to see THF reward customers who have continued to pay their premiums over many years despite the fact that THF (as with most health funds) have steadily increased the cost of insurance. Given I am taking a financial hit whilst being on maternity leave, this has been a particularly hard pill to swallow from THF!

Negative experience: Had emergency dental, there was a cool-off period of 12 months. My emergency dental case occured at 11 months 14 days. Weren't willing to cover it. Didn't escalate and weren't helpful. Gone onto another provider.

Negative experience: Been stuck on the phone for almost an hour because the card won't work and the dentist receptionist and I are both trying to speak to someone about this. What a total nightmare. I paid this health fund over a thousand dollars 2 days ago to ensure I would be financial for this dentist appointment. How long must I wait here?!

Negative experience: I used to be more than happy with Teachers Health product and quick phone response. Recently I had a series of experiences which practically reduced me to tears of frustration. Day 1. I waited an hour but was then connected to a well spoken operator who couldn't have been more helpful, and on to another person for whom I waited but was helpful. We needed to discuss options so didn't act there and then but after 2.5 hrs we knew what we needed to do. Day 2. My payment was due and I resolved to stay in the wait queue to finish the transaction. After over an hour the person I spoke put me through to another line, promising that I would be next in line. Not so. After waiting again over an hour I chose the call back option at a designated time. Day 3. I wait for over the call. In picking up the phone I fumbled and accidentally cut the call off. After 1 or 2 ringtones why wouldn't the caller try once more? Seriously? So many hours and I still haven't resolved the issue. ( but I have another callback tomorrow) The problem lies with the Teachers Health and their lack of phone support. The people on the phones are good but your lack of phone consultants is cheap. Teachers Health used to be good in this aspect. Not good enough. Rubbish service Teachers Health.

Positive experience: The reception staff is great. However the dentist we were examined has no customer and care skills. Pushy, aggressive and commercial attitude. NIB dental services are far better than teachers health Surry hills.

Fantastic experience: They fitted me in immediately, despite being fully booked today, and examination revealed acute posterior vitreous detachment. I was referred to a specialist, and able to get an appointment tomorrow. All this, just before Easter! Great service and care. Thank you so much to all concerned.

Negative experience: Its so hard to get to talk to someone through the phone! Is really someone going to answer the call? I called two days and leave my number to wait call back none of work!

Positive experience: I don't access their services directly, rather on behalf of a family member. Their automated call/message system is atrocious and I found the process to attempt changing my address anything BUT quick and simple.

Fantastic experience: I could not be happier with the service. Great set of glasses members get $200 off the frames plus my health rebate. Will not go anywhere else in the future.

Fantastic experience: Top notch treatments, across eye, dental and physio. Taking COVID measures very seriously, while slightly cumbersome, it's comforting, too.

Fantastic experience: I have used the eyecare services for many years and have found their level level of professionalism to be oustanding. All my claims for Hospital or extras have always been processed quickly and any issues that had arisen were always resolved to my complete satisfaction . Thanks Teachers Health

Fantastic experience: Best health fund around. Even the health care providers say so

Negative experience: Impossible to contact, call backs phone rings once and gone. After decades with TH I will be looking elsewhere as will rest of family!

Fantastic experience: Food is delicious. Service is professional and courteous. Makes for a memorable night.

Negative experience: I once thought Teachers Health were ok, but they have made it extremely difficult for me to claim travel insurance the past 7 times. This organisation appears to have adopted a very American based way of operating - deny claims and put the burden on the patients to fight, hoping they will go away.

Fantastic experience: Professional Great service Friendly

Fantastic experience: Always great service and staff

Fantastic experience: Great service

Negative experience: Over 2 weeks to process a claim. Wrong info given to a service provider. Very poor.

Fantastic experience: Always good if you ate a member

Positive experience: Efficient friendly professional. Good opening hours. Close to public transport

Positive experience: The health centre is focused on dental and optometry with great value for members. All front desk staff are friendly and helpful and flexible. This is one of the better health care funds and they have a good range of benefits for members.

Negative experience: Very poor service; my appointment was booked for 11:00 am but I was called at 11:30 am; I had a couple of important meetings from 12;00 noon for which I got delayed. People were walking up and down but none seem to work. Horrible and would not recommend this place to anyone.

Fantastic experience: The best ever

Fantastic experience: Very professional and courteous staff. I would like to thank Margaret and Stephen.

Positive experience: Dentist and Optometrist are excellent here. However, the front office staff need to improve their service. A smile costs nothing and mellows things. There is a training issue with the front staff , please do look into it.

Fantastic experience: Great service and friendly staff

Fantastic experience: An efficient and pleasant facility.

Positive experience: Very good

Positive experience: First time for optical. Me and two kids. Great, professional service Meeka did a great job communicating with the kids.

Fantastic experience: I had my eyes tested here. Good practitioners and I found a great modern glass frame

Fantastic experience: Terrific staff who are there to help with everything, and with smile. Keep on doing good work.

Fantastic experience: Excellent service and excellent dentists. I have not used their Optometrists due to using a cornea specialist however if I ever require glasses, I would definitely purchase them here. Great range at great prices. For all those complaining here in the reviews, I hate to think that you are actual teachers, because if you are, you heed to find a new career. Almost all low feedback reviews posted here are about the health fund itself. This is the page for the teachers heath centre. You know, where you see a dentist or Optometrist. Can you not read? I do agree with some other posts though. The reception staff here are quite blunt and can at times, be rude, and not welcoming at all. I don't ever recieve a happy or friendly vibe. From the time you walk in, to the time you walk out, it feels like they just don't care. Another annoying thing is that they have your member information on file already. Why ask for the member card every time I visit? One time I changed wallets and left the card in the everyday wallet. They would not let me attend my appointment despite showing ID and confirming my member number and even having their app, further proving my membership. That is ridiculous . If you can go to a doctor without your Medicare card, then surely you can attend an appointment at the THC without your member card. All in all though, well worth using the THC facilities if you're a member.

Fantastic experience: I have visited both the dental and optical services provided by this centre. The dentist service was very good and professional, great skill set. The optical services have basically saved my eyesight: I went for a routine check-up and the optometrist found I had swelling on my optic nerve behind the eyes, this has resulted in being hospitalized and the Professor of neurosurgery said if I hadn't been sent to him I would have lost my sight. That is why I strongly recommend visiting this centre if you are worried or looking for a new optometrist. Best service in Sydney.

Fantastic experience: Good eye care with good prices for members.

Fantastic experience: Great facilities and friendly staff. Highly recommend their dental services to anyone considering.

Fantastic experience: Excellent dentist and optometrist service, highly recommended!

Positive experience: Always good service

Positive experience: Convenient, efficient and good value

Negative experience: Constant delays in being refunded, up to 2 weeks, they need to look at their claims processing infrastructure, simply appalling.

Fantastic experience: My go to for excellent dental care.

Fantastic experience: Very friendly stuff and professional

Negative experience: waiting over 27 minutes with call back options continuously on a loop - bad service, not employing sufficient staff for the enquiry lines

Fantastic experience: Highly professional customer service and very accommodating

Positive experience: Well organized

Positive experience: Close to Central Station. Very busy but helpful staff. Did not wait long. I was notified by SMS the next day that my order was ready.

Negative experience: As a members dental centre it is hard to get to, hard to park, challenging to get convenient appointments and more expensive than the local provider

Fantastic experience: Great service at a great price.