The Child Dental Benefits Schedule: What It Covers and How to Check If Your Child Is Eligible
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is a government program that can cover a meaningful amount of your child’s dental care, but many eligible families don’t realise they qualify or aren’t sure what it actually pays for. This guide covers what the scheme includes, how eligibility works, and how to check where your child stands.
What the Child Dental Benefits Schedule Is
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule, commonly shortened to CDBS, is an Australian Government program administered through Medicare that provides funding toward basic dental services for eligible children. It covers a set amount over a two-calendar-year period, though the exact capped amount is periodically adjusted, so it’s worth confirming the current figure directly through Medicare or your dental provider rather than relying on a fixed number that may be out of date by the time you’re reading this.
Is Your Child Eligible?
A child is generally eligible for the CDBS if they meet all of the following:
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They’re eligible for Medicare.
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They’re aged 0 to 17 at some point during the calendar year.
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They, or their family, receive a qualifying Australian Government payment at some point during that year. Family Tax Benefit Part A is the most common of these, though other payments can also qualify a family, including certain veterans’ payments and some income support payments.
There’s no application to fill out. Eligibility is assessed automatically by Services Australia at the start of each calendar year, and they also check periodically throughout the year for children who become newly eligible.
If your child qualifies, you’ll usually receive notification by post or through your MyGov account, but it’s still worth checking directly if you’re unsure, since not every family notices or keeps track of these notifications.
How to Check If Your Child Is Eligible
If you’re not sure whether your child is eligible, or how much of the benefit remains available, there are a few ways to check:
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Log in to your Medicare online account through MyGov, if it’s linked, to view eligibility and remaining balance directly.
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Call Medicare on 132 011 to check eligibility over the phone.
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Ask your dental practice to check on your behalf when you book an appointment, since many practices, including ours, can confirm this for you directly.
What the CDBS Covers
The scheme covers a range of basic dental services, including:
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Professional scale and clean
These are the services most children need for general oral health maintenance and treating common issues like decay, which is why the scheme is designed around them rather than more specialised or elective work. It doesn’t cover orthodontic treatment, cosmetic dental work, or services provided in a hospital or under general anaesthetic.
If your child’s treatment plan is likely to go beyond what the CDBS covers, whether because the required treatment isn’t included or because costs exceed the benefit amount, this is generally flagged during the initial assessment so you know what to expect before treatment goes ahead.
How the Benefit Amount Works Over Two Years
The CDBS benefit applies over a two-calendar-year period from when your child first becomes eligible and uses the benefit. You can use the full amount in the first year if needed, though this leaves nothing available for the second year.
Alternatively, if you don’t use the full amount in the first year, the remainder can carry over into the second year, provided your child remains eligible. Once the two-year period ends, a new benefit period begins if your child is still eligible at that point.
Why It’s Worth Using Even If Your Child Seems Fine
Many parents assume the CDBS is only relevant once a problem shows up, but a routine check-up and clean is itself a covered service, and catching early decay or a developing issue before it becomes painful or more involved generally means less treatment down the track than waiting would. Using the benefit for regular preventive visits, rather than only when something’s clearly wrong, is one of the more practical ways families make use of it.
Booking Your Child’s CDBS Appointment
There’s no separate paperwork needed to use the CDBS at an appointment. Bring your child’s Medicare card, and let the practice know you’d like to check or use their CDBS eligibility. Many practices, ours included, bulk-bill eligible children under the scheme, meaning there’s no out-of-pocket cost for covered services within the benefit amount.
FAQ
Do I need to apply for the CDBS separately?
No. Eligibility is assessed automatically by Services Australia based on your family’s circumstances. You don’t need to submit a separate application.
What happens if I don’t use the full benefit in the first year?
Any remaining amount can generally be used in the second year of the two-year period, as long as your child is still eligible at that point.
Does the CDBS cover braces or orthodontic treatment?
No, orthodontic treatment isn’t covered under the CDBS. The scheme covers basic dental services such as check-ups, X-rays, fillings, and extractions.
What if my child turns 18 partway through treatment?
Eligibility is based on your child being aged 0 to 17 at some point during the relevant calendar year, so turning 18 partway through a benefit period doesn’t necessarily affect treatment already covered within that period. It’s worth checking your specific situation with your provider.
Can any dentist provide treatment under the CDBS?
Most private dentists can provide CDBS-covered treatment, though it’s worth confirming with your chosen practice, along with public dental services and some school-based or community health dental programs.
What happens if my child’s treatment costs more than the CDBS benefit covers?
If a treatment plan is expected to exceed the available benefit, this is generally discussed with you beforehand so you understand any additional cost involved before treatment proceeds.
Book Your Child’s Dental Visit at Canley Heights
If you’d like to check your child’s CDBS eligibility or book them in for a check-up, our Child Dental Benefits Schedule page has more detail, or you can get in touch directly.
At Canley Heights Dental Care, we see patients from Canley Heights, Canley Vale, Cabramatta, Fairfield, and Wakeley.
Call us on (02) 9199 9678 or book online. Find us at 1/229 Canley Vale Rd, Canley Heights NSW 2166.
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