Dental treatment without any out-of-pocket expenses. Check your child’s eligibility!
The Australian Government’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) program provides eligible children with access to basic dental services. It was established to help families who may face financial difficulties getting a dental care for their children.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
The eligibility requirements for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) are:
- Age: The child must be 0 to 17 years old at any point in the calendar year in which they are receiving dental services.
- Medicare: The child must be eligible for Medicare, which means they must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident or have applied for a permanent visa.
- Government benefits: Children who receive certain Australian Government payments such as Family Tax Benefit Part A (FTB-A), Youth Allowance, and other select payments, are automatically eligible for the CDBS.
It’s important to know that eligibility for the CDBS is assessed every year. If a child was eligible in a previous calendar year, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are still eligible.
Parents or guardians can find out if their child is eligible by visiting the Health Professional Online Services (HPOS) website or calling Services Australia on 132 150 (call charges may apply).
HOW MUCH IS COVERED?
The CDBS provides a maximum benefit amount of up to $1,052 for each eligible child over two consecutive calendar years. The 2-year period starts at the beginning of the calendar year in which your child both:
- becomes eligible,
- gets their first dental service.
You can use the full amount up to $1,052 in the first calendar year. This will leave no funds for the second year. If you don’t use the full $1,052 in the first year, you can use it in the second year if your child is still eligible.
If you don’t use the full amount within the 2 calendar years, you can’t use the remaining funds. You’ll have to wait for a new 2-year cover period to start. You also won’t be able to use any remaining funds once your child is no longer eligible.
WHAT’S COVERED UNDER CDBS?
Services covered under CBDS include any of these:
- check-ups
- X-rays
- cleaning
- fissure sealing
- fillings
- root canals
- extractions.
There are some restrictions for basic dental services. You should check with your dentist if there are any item or time restrictions before starting your service.
The services not covered under CDBS are all of the following:
- orthodontic dental work
- cosmetic dental work
- any dental services in a hospital.
BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
Before your dental appointment, please, inform the dental receptionist that you intend to use the CDBS. You can check your remaining balance before your appointment by phoning Medicare or accessing your Medicare online account.
