Child Dental Benefits Schedule
Setting up children with healthy oral hygiene habits and ensuring they go to regular check-ups
Throughout their childhood it is key to maintain your child's good oral health for the future. Eligible children can claim up to $1,132 per child over 2 years.
We’re here to help your kids, with kindness, patience, and friendly faces that can help explain what’s going on in a way they can understand.
If you don’t use all of the $1,132 in your first year, you can use it in the second year; however, any remaining balance will not be carried forward at the end of the second year.
What is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is a government-funded system that provides eligible children with financial assistance (capped at $1,132) for basic dental services over the space of two consecutive calendar years.
To be eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, your child must:
- Be aged between 2-17 years
- Be eligible for Medicare
- Receive, or be part of a family receiving, certain Australian Government payments.
About the CDBS
You can claim up to $1,132 for each child over 2 consecutive calendar years. You can use the full amount in the first year however this will leave no funds for the second year. If you don't use the full $1,132 in the first year, you can use it in the second year but only if your child remains eligible.
The two-year period starts at the beginning of the calendar year in which your child both:
- Becomes eligible
- Gets their first dental service
If you don't use the full amount within the two calendar years, you can't use the remaining funds. You'll have to wait for a new two-year cover period to start. You also won't be able to use any remaining funds once your child is no longer eligible.
What is covered with CDBS?
Services that receive a benefit under the CDBS include (some services have claiming restrictions):
- Regular check-up (including scale, clean and polish)
- X-rays (radiography)
- Dental fillings
- Tooth extractions
- Root canal treatment
Please note that benefits are not available for orthodontic or cosmetic dental work, and cannot be used to pay for any services provided in a hospital.
For more information regarding the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) and its eligibility, visit the Services Australia website, or call Medicare on 132 011.
Frequently asked questions
Begin by confirming your child’s eligibility and balance amount by accessing your Medicare account at myGov or calling the Medicare general enquiries line on 132 011
Make an appointment with our practice in Toorak, Melbourne and let us know you are eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.
At the time of the appointment, we will discuss your child’s treatment and any associated costs with you before providing the services. After this has been discussed, you will need to sign a consent form.
None! At K1 Dental we accept and bulk-bill CDBS patients to ensure that children who need dental care the most can achieve optimum oral hygiene.
You won’t have to pay any out-of-pocket or “gap” expenses for your child’s dental care (provided that the treatment is general and does not exceed the $1,132 cap).
Benefits include examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals and extractions.
Benefits are not available for orthodontic or cosmetic dental work and cannot be paid for any services provided in a hospital, nor do the benefits count towards the Medicare Safety Net or the Extended Medicare Safety Net thresholds.
Children who do not qualify for the CDBS can still access complimentary public dental care if they fall into one of the following categories:
- Children aged 0–3 whose parents hold a valid Centrelink, Healthcare, or Pension Card
- Children aged 4 through to students in year 10
- Students in years 11 or 12 with a valid Centrelink, Healthcare, or Pension Card
The following children may be eligible:
- Children aged between 0-17 years on any one day of the calendar year
- Receive, or their family, guardian, or career receives, certain government benefits such as Family Tax Benefit Part A for at least part of the calendar year
- Are eligible for Medicare
If your child’s treatment plan will exceed the $1,132 over two years you will be immediately notified during the initial dental assessment. During this assessment, your dentists will discuss suitable treatment options and costs.
No dental services will be performed without your prior consent.
If your child’s personalised plan changes at any stage, you will be notified to discuss options and the dentist will proceed in accordance with your wishes.
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is a government-supported program that offers financial aid for qualified children (up to a limit of $1,132) over two consecutive calendar years.