Trish Gyler, an ex-service station attendant from Tuggerah, has had chronic trouble with her pearly whites throughout her daily life. Her challenges compounded markedly after she had a traumatic experience at Supercare Dental and Cosmetics. Most of her life, she had no idea how to manage the profound insecurities her crooked and stained smile caused. Looking for a better way, she found a targeted social media ad that seemed to offer it. What ensued has resulted in her — and hundreds of other patients — feeling swindled and financially devastated.
Gyler’s nightmare story started when she went looking for dental care to fix her decade-old problems. After consulting at the Tuggerah clinic, Gyler went home with a long-term treatment plan. Their proposal to her was for $43,000 worth of implants, crowns, plastic aligners, and veneers. The clinic’s agents then persuaded her to withdraw more than $56,000 from her superannuation. She thought the process was completely above board and ATO-approved.
A Trusting Decision Turns Sour
Gyler expressed her great surprise at seeing the clinic at Tuggerah for the first time. She found a friendly, supportive, and professional atmosphere. She said, “I thought I was in paradise! The atmosphere was so professional, and everyone was just as highly experienced. She especially complimented the clinic’s homey new facilities, which she described as “shiny and brand new.” This increased her confidence in the services.
That trust soon evaporated when Gyler’s dental work was never finished. She settled for just four white non-functioning teeth in her mouth, a far cry from the full care she had dreamed of receiving. “I just have four ugly white fake teeth in my mouth,” she lamented. The personal emotional toll has been great. Gyler said she can finally smile with confidence, adding, “I was feeling like a complete idiot. I just could not believe that I had put my faith in these folks.”
The process of withdrawing her superannuation funds was so simple that Gyler called it “way too easy.” She thought that if the ATO approved her application for withdrawal, all was well. Yet, now she faces a grim reality: a drained superannuation balance and no completed dental work.
The Financial Fallout
Gyler’s fate is just one example of how former patients of Supercare Dental have been affected. According to media reports, the liquidator has already accepted over 330 claims by unsecured creditors. These patient-related claims add up — both personally and in total, almost $2.8 million. Countless people, including Gyler, were duped out of thousands of dollars up-front for dental procedures that were never finished.
The fiscal consequences of this disaster are devastating. Gyler emphasized that after doing everything right for 45 years, she shouldn’t suddenly be left wondering if she can afford to retire. “I can’t think about retirement… I can’t say that I’ll be able to afford to not work anymore,” she stated.
The liquidator’s report details the director of Supercare Dental’s breaches of obligation. The evaluation in turn should give anyone serious pause. At this point, there is not enough money for even the cost of this liquidation. According to that report, no dividend will go to any class of creditors in the pending liquidation. That’s bad news for everyone who’s still waiting for their payouts.
Community Response and Future Steps
In response to the recent controversy, there have been calls for increased oversight into the operations and practices of clinics such as Supercare Dental. Intriguingly, Gyler questioned the illogical regulatory framework for these businesses. He started wondering, he said, “How many more people are they doing this to so cavalierly when it was supposed to be an extremely strict guideline.”
A spokesperson for Smile On Clinics stated unequivocally: “Smile On Clinics have not had any dealings with Supercare Dental and Cosmetics,” adding that they are “not affiliated in any way with Supercare Dental and Cosmetics and never have been.” This explanation is meant to distinguish Smile On Clinics from the tragic story that’s unfolded over Supercare.
Patients such as their colleague and friend Trish Gyler suffer the consequences of disillusionment and fiscal fatigue. Now they have to worry about what happens next. The emotional and economic toll of this experience is staggering, leaving many wondering whether they can ever trust healthcare providers again.
