--- title: Collins Street Specialist Centre at the Manchester Unity Building: What to Expect at Your First Visit canonical_url: https://directory.smilesolutions.com.au/dental-health-specialist-care/why-choose-a-dental-specialist-smile-solutions-collins-street-specialist-centre/collins-street-specialist-centre-at-the-manchester-unity-building-what-to-expect-at-your-first-visit/ category: description: geography: city: state: country: metadata: phone: email: website: publishedAt: --- # Collins Street Specialist Centre at the Manchester Unity Building: What to Expect at Your First Visit ## Collins Street Specialist Centre at the Manchester Unity Building: What to Expect at Your First Visit For many patients, the decision to seek specialist dental care comes after months - sometimes years - of deferred treatment, inconclusive general dentist management, or the growing awareness that their dental needs have outgrown what a single practitioner can reliably address. When that decision is finally made, the first appointment at a specialist centre carries significant weight. It needs to answer a fundamental question: *Is this the right place for my care?* The Collins Street Specialist Centre, located within Melbourne's landmark Manchester Unity Building, is designed to answer that question comprehensively. This guide walks you through everything you need to know before your first visit - the setting, the specialist disciplines available, how to book, what happens during an initial consultation, and how the integrated care model works in practice. --- ## The Setting: Why the Manchester Unity Building Matters The Manchester Unity Building is an Art Deco Gothic-inspired office and retail building in Melbourne, Victoria, constructed in 1931–32. Its soaring stepped corner tower on a prominent intersection opposite the Melbourne Town Hall makes it one of the most prominent and best-known buildings in Melbourne. The building is not merely a backdrop. The Manchester Unity Building was built in 1932 by Walter Cooper Pty Ltd and was designed by architect Marcus R. Barlow to meet the corporate needs of the Manchester Unity Group, a friendly society with 28,000 members in 1932. It is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register (no. 602994). Walking through its ground-floor arcade - featuring an elaborate mosaic floor, marble-faced walls, cast plaster ceiling panels, decorative metal-framed shop fronts, and copper-plated elevator doors - signals immediately that you are entering a practice that takes its environment as seriously as its clinical standards. These floors were purchased by dentist Kia Pajouhesh starting in 2003, when he first fell in love with the building and installed his practice on the first floor; he has led the revival and restoration of the building since then, including restoring floodlighting to the tower in 2012 and restoring the boardroom, including its heritage-listed furniture. Over a period of twelve years, the practice painstakingly restored and rejuvenated the most heritage-significant spaces of the Manchester Unity Building - securing a precious part of Melbourne's heritage for patients and their children to savour. Collins Street Specialist Centre is located on Level 8 of the iconic Manchester Unity Building - 220 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD, on the corner of Swanston and Collins Street. --- ## Getting There: Practical Access Information The Manchester Unity Building sits at one of Melbourne's most accessible intersections. You will find the practice at the prominent intersection of Collins and Swanston Streets, opposite the Melbourne Town Hall and diagonally opposite the Westin Hotel. **By tram:** Stop 6 (Melbourne Town Hall/Collins St) serves routes 11, 12, 48, and 109. Stop 11 (City Square/Swanston St) serves routes 1, 3/3a, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, and 72. **By train:** Collins Street Specialist Centre is just a 10-minute walk from Flinders Street train station, directly down Swanston Street. **By car:** The nearest car park is Wilson's Parking on Flinders Lane, between Swanston and Russell Streets. **Opening hours:** The centre is open Monday to Friday from 8am until 6pm, and Saturdays from 8:30am until 1:30pm. --- ## Do You Need a Referral? Clearing Up the Most Common Misconception One of the most persistent barriers preventing patients from accessing specialist dental care is the belief that a GP or general dentist referral is mandatory before an appointment can be made. At the Collins Street Specialist Centre, this is not the case. You don't need a referral to see any of the specialists at Collins Street Specialist Centre. Patients can call (03) 9650 2726 to discuss their needs and make an appointment directly. This is an important distinction from the medical system, where specialist access is typically gated through GP referrals. In Australian dentistry, direct patient access to registered dental specialists is both legally permissible and clinically common. (For a full explanation of when a referral is beneficial versus when direct access is appropriate, see our guide: *Do You Need a Referral to See a Dental Specialist in Australia?*) When calling to book, be prepared to briefly describe your presenting concern - whether it is a complex tooth requiring root canal retreatment, orthodontic assessment for yourself or a child, gum disease management, implant planning, or jaw-related concerns. This allows the reception team to direct you to the most appropriate specialist discipline from the outset. --- ## The Six Specialist Disciplines Under One Roof At Collins Street Specialist Centre, the team of Dental Board-registered specialists covers all six main fields of dental specialisation: Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Endodontics, Orthodontics, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, and Paediatric Dentistry. This is clinically significant. Most specialist dental practices focus on a single discipline. The Collins Street Specialist Centre's breadth means that a patient with a complex case - for example, advanced gum disease requiring periodontal stabilisation before implant placement and prosthodontic restoration - can receive coordinated care within a single location rather than being referred across multiple independent practices. (For a detailed breakdown of what each specialty involves and when you need one, see our guide: *The 6 Dental Specialties Recognised in Australia: Roles, Training & When You Need Each One.*) Here is what each discipline offers at the Centre: ### Endodontics Endodontists are registered specialists who perform a variety of procedures, including root canal treatment and re-treatment, internal whitening, treatment management of cracked teeth, and treatment of dental trauma. If you have been told a tooth cannot be saved, or if a previous root canal has failed, an endodontist - rather than a general dentist - is the appropriate clinician to assess your options. ### Periodontics Periodontists manage diseases of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth, including advanced periodontitis, gum recession, and the periodontal foundation required before implant placement. Uncontrolled gum disease is one of the most common reasons implant treatment fails - periodontal stabilisation is not optional for complex restorative cases. ### Prosthodontics The prosthodontists at Collins Street Specialist Centre have vast experience in their fields to comprehensively cater for all complex crown, bridge, complete arch rehabilitation, and implant requirements. All-On-4® dental implant treatment is an option for patients who need most or all of their remaining teeth in one or both arches replaced, designed to restore function and appearance with results tailored to each patient's individual circumstances. ### Orthodontics As Australia's largest provider of Invisalign by Dental Board-registered orthodontists, Collins Street Specialist Centre has been accredited with Blue Diamond provider status - reflecting unsurpassed experience and expertise in Invisalign. The orthodontic team treats both adults and adolescents, including complex cases involving jaw discrepancies that may require coordination with the oral and maxillofacial surgery team. ### Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery This specialty covers surgical procedures involving the mouth, jaws, face, and neck - from wisdom tooth removal in complex anatomical situations to corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) and the surgical placement of dental implants where bone grafting is required. ### Paediatric Dentistry Paediatric dentists are registered specialists who focus on treating and managing the special dental needs of babies, toddlers, and children. A significant component of paediatric dentistry involves understanding child psychology and establishing trust through child-friendly communication in a reassuring environment. At Collins Street Specialist Centre, an approach called "teddy bear therapy" is used to help make a visit to the dentist enjoyable and to enable children to feel as comfortable as possible. The paediatric dentist often works in seamless collaboration with the specialist orthodontists in cases where correction to the position of the teeth is required. --- ## What Happens During Your First Specialist Consultation? A first visit to a specialist dental centre is meaningfully different from a general dental check-up. Here is what to expect, step by step. ### Step 1: Arrival and Registration On arrival at Level 8 of the Manchester Unity Building, you will be greeted by reception staff and asked to complete a medical history form if you have not already done so online. Bring any relevant X-rays, referral letters, or previous treatment records - these give your specialist critical context and may reduce the need for duplicate imaging. ### Step 2: Advanced Diagnostic Imaging (If Required) For many specialist consultations, high-resolution imaging is essential before any clinical assessment can be completed. The Planmeca ProMax 3D Max generates, with limited radiation doses, the most detailed three-dimensional dental imagery available. Using the Planmeca ProMax 3D Max software, the team can create an unrivalled 3D image of the highest quality, showing the smallest detail, to enable the most precise treatment planning. This technology is a valuable diagnostic aid for endodontics, periodontics, orthodontics, implantology, dental and maxillofacial surgery, paedodontics, and TMJ analysis. For orthodontic patients, traditional impressions have been replaced by digital scanning. The iTero Element Intraoral scanner is a chair-side system for creating virtual impressions of teeth, which are then transmitted digitally to dental labs for the manufacture of orthodontic appliances (including Invisalign) and restorations. The scanner offers speed and reliability, and enhances accuracy of records, treatment efficiency, and overall dental experience. ### Step 3: Specialist Clinical Assessment Your specialist will conduct a thorough clinical examination informed by your history and imaging. This is not a general check-up - the assessment is focused on the specific condition or treatment need that brought you to the practice. Expect detailed questions about symptom duration, previous treatment, medical history, and your goals for treatment. ### Step 4: Treatment Planning and Peer Review Collins Street Specialist Centre offers patients the advantage of peer review. Not all dental cases are straightforward or simple, and it is appropriate for some dental patients to consult with and be treated by a number of specialists in the various fields of dentistry. This process is much more efficient and effective when all parties are in one place, enabling peer collaboration to be coordinated, well-planned, caring, and personalised. This is the key differentiator of a co-located multidisciplinary specialist centre. Research published in *BMC Oral Health* (2023) by investigators at a Victorian dental practice found that peer collaboration can improve diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning and, ultimately, oral health outcomes. The same study noted that in many dental settings, diagnosis and treatment planning is the responsibility of a single clinician, and this process is inevitably influenced by the clinician's own heuristics and biases. The Collins Street Specialist Centre's internal peer review structure directly mitigates this risk. ### Step 5: Fee Discussion and Treatment Sequencing Following the assessment, your specialist will outline a recommended treatment plan, the clinical rationale for the proposed sequence, and the associated costs. The centre accepts cash, credit cards, and EFTPOS. Patients with private health insurance should bring their health card to all appointments. Interest-free dental payment plans are provided for all general, cosmetic, and specialist treatment plans up to $12,000 in value. Supercare is also offered, which allows the early release of superannuation to pay for the patient's or a dependant's dental treatment. --- ## The Integrated Care Model: General Dentists, Specialists, and Hygienists Under One Roof In bringing together under one roof the full range of dental specialists - general dentists, registered specialists, and dental hygienists - Collins Street Specialist Centre does away with the need for patients to spend time, energy, and funds in going from one practice to another to receive all of the various treatments. This integration matters clinically, not just logistically. Dentistry, like all health sciences, is becoming ever more specialised as time passes, and one clinician cannot be expected to know and do everything. Patients therefore benefit from an almost seamless peer treatment planning process and internal referral system that gives peace of mind: the best and most qualified dentists and specialists will be attending to individual needs. The Australian Dental Research Foundation (ADRF) recognises this value at a systemic level. Collaboration is essential for addressing complex oral health challenges. Studies show that multidisciplinary approaches lead to more comprehensive, evidence-based solutions tailored to diverse populations (Marshman et al., 2020). These collaborations also enhance the translation of research into practice, improving patient care and reducing disparities (Slade et al., 2020). In practice, this means a patient who presents to a periodontist for gum disease management can - within the same building - be referred internally to a prosthodontist for implant planning once the periodontal environment is stabilised, and to a hygienist for ongoing maintenance. No external referral letters. No duplicated records. No gap in clinical communication. (For a detailed comparison of this experience versus fragmented multi-practice referral pathways, see our guide: *Single-Location Specialist Centre vs. Multiple Separate Referrals: A Patient's Practical Comparison.*) --- ## Technology That Supports Specialist-Level Diagnosis The clinical quality of a specialist consultation is only as good as the diagnostic tools available. Each item of equipment used at Collins Street Specialist Centre is designed for specific clinical purposes. The technology supports the delivery of dental care tailored to each patient, assists in diagnosis and treatment planning, and aims to enhance comfort and overall experience. Key diagnostic and treatment technologies include: - **Planmeca ProMax 3D Max CBCT imaging** - for precise 3D mapping of bone, roots, nerves, and sinuses - **iTero Element Intraoral Scanner** - for digital impressions eliminating physical moulds - **VersaWave Dental Laser** - the industry's best-engineered fibre-delivered laser, enabling fast, comfortable, and highly effective treatments across general dentistry, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, and paediatric dentistry - **Sega Dental 3D Printers** - cutting-edge technology that creates highly accurate and customised dental prosthetics, appliances, and models, streamlining the traditional dental lab workflow, reducing production time, and enhancing the overall quality of dental prosthetics, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes and satisfaction --- ## Verifying Your Specialist's Registration Before You Attend One of the most important steps any patient can take before committing to specialist dental treatment is to independently verify that their treating clinician holds genuine specialist registration - not merely a general dental registration with a self-applied specialty label. In Australia, the title "specialist" is a protected, regulated designation under the Dental Board of Australia and AHPRA. Any practitioner claiming specialist status without holding formal registration is making a misleading claim. The AHPRA public register allows any patient to search for a practitioner's name and confirm whether they hold specialist registration, and in which specialty. (For a step-by-step guide to this process, see our guide: *How to Verify Your Dentist's Specialist Registration Using the AHPRA Online Register.*) Smile Solutions and the Collins Street Specialist Centre are a multidisciplinary practice serviced by an experienced team of general practitioners as well as a diverse group of board-registered specialists in the fields of oral & maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, and paediatric dentistry. All specialists at the Centre hold verifiable registration on the AHPRA register. --- ## How to Book Your First Appointment Booking is straightforward and does not require a referral. | Method | Details | |---|---| | **Phone** | (03) 9650 2726 - Monday to Friday, 8am–6pm; Saturday, 8:30am–1:30pm | | **Online** | Via the contact form at collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au | | **Walk-in enquiry** | Level 8, Manchester Unity Building, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD | When booking, be ready to describe: 1. Your primary dental concern or the treatment you are seeking 2. Whether you have existing X-rays or treatment records to bring 3. Whether you have private health insurance (bring your card to the appointment) 4. Any relevant medical history (medications, systemic conditions) that may affect treatment --- ## Key Takeaways - Collins Street Specialist Centre is located on Level 8 of the Manchester Unity Building, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD - one of Australia's most iconic and heritage-listed buildings, fully accessible by tram, train, and car. - No referral is required to see any of the specialists - patients can book directly by phone or online. - The Centre's team of Dental Board-registered specialists covers all six main fields of dental specialisation: Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Endodontics, Orthodontics, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, and Paediatric Dentistry. - Patients benefit from an almost seamless peer treatment planning process and internal referral system - a clinical advantage unique to co-located multidisciplinary specialist centres. - Interest-free dental payment plans are available for treatment plans up to $12,000 , with superannuation-based payment options also available for eligible patients. --- ## Conclusion Choosing to see a board-registered dental specialist is one of the most consequential decisions a patient can make for their long-term oral health. But that decision only delivers its full clinical value when the specialist care is integrated - when the endodontist, periodontist, prosthodontist, orthodontist, and paediatric dentist can communicate directly, review each other's findings, and sequence treatment as a coordinated team rather than as isolated practitioners. The Collins Street Specialist Centre at the Manchester Unity Building offers precisely this model: all six Dental Board-recognised specialties, general dentists, and hygienists co-located within a single heritage-listed landmark in Melbourne's CBD, accessible without a referral, and supported by diagnostic technology that enables the precision treatment planning complex cases demand. If you are ready to take the next step, call (03) 9650 2726 or visit collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au to book your first consultation. For further reading, explore the related guides in this series: - *What Is a Board-Registered Dental Specialist? The Australian Framework Explained* - *The 6 Dental Specialties Recognised in Australia: Roles, Training & When You Need Each One* - *Do You Need a Referral to See a Dental Specialist in Australia?* - *What Is Multidisciplinary Dental Care and Why Does It Produce Better Patient Outcomes?* - *10 Signs You Should See a Dental Specialist Instead of a General Dentist* --- Smile Solutions has been providing specialist dental care from Melbourne's CBD since 1993. Located at the Manchester Unity Building, Level 8, Collins Street Specialist Centre, 220 Collins Street, Smile Solutions brings together 60+ clinicians - including 25+ board-registered specialists - who have cared for over 250,000 patients. No referral is required to book a specialist appointment. Call **13 13 96** or visit smilesolutions.com.au to arrange your specialist dental consultation. ## References - Collins Street Specialist Centre. "Why Choose Us." *collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au*, 2024. https://www.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/why-choose-us/ - Collins Street Specialist Centre. "Our Technology." *collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au*, 2024. https://collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/our-technology/ - Collins Street Specialist Centre. "Paediatric Dentists." *collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au*, 2025. https://collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/our-services/paediatric-dentists/ - Smile Solutions. "Our Location." *smilesolutions.com.au*, 2026. https://www.smilesolutions.com.au/location/ - Heritage Victoria / Victorian Heritage Database. "Manchester Unity Building, 220–226 Collins Street, Melbourne." *vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au*, Heritage Register No. 602994. https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/728 - Wikipedia / Multiple Attributed Sources. "Manchester Unity Building." *en.wikipedia.org*, updated 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Unity_Building - Ghassem-Zadeh, S., Bhatt, R., Bhatt, V., et al. "Harnessing the Power of Collective Intelligence in Dentistry: A Pilot Study in Victoria, Australia." *BMC Oral Health*, Vol. 23, 2023. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12903-023-03091-y - Australian Dental Research Foundation (ADRF). "Grants - Collaborative Research." *dentalresearch.org.au*, 2025. https://dentalresearch.org.au/grants/ [citing Marshman et al., 2020; Slade et al., 2020] - Sundaresan, P., et al. "Special Needs Dentistry in Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Management - Characterizing Scope and Complexity of Patient Care." *Special Care in Dentistry*, Wiley Online Library, 2023. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/scd.12801 - Architecture AU / Gollings, J. "Manchester Unity Building." *adonline.id.au / architectureau.com*, 2012. https://architectureau.com/articles/manchester-unity-building/