Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)
CDBS provides access to basic dental services for children aged 2–17, at no out of pocket cost to families. Under the CDBS, basic dental services are bulk-billed for eligible children. Services include: check-ups, cleans, x-rays, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals, extractions and partial dentures. Orthodontic or cosmetic dental work is not available under this scheme.
Our dentists at Dentessence are happy to assist eligible children with their dental needs under this scheme.
Eligibility for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule
A child is eligible if they are eligible for Medicare, aged 2-17 years at any point in the calendar year and receive a relevant Australian government payment, such as Family Tax Benefit Part A at any point in the calendar year.
The Department of Human Services assesses a child’s eligibility from the start of each calendar year and eligible children or the child’s parent/guardian are notified by a letter. This letter must be presented to Dentessence at the time of the first appointment.
Benefits available under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule
From 1 January 2017, the maximum benefit available to eligible children is up to $700 over two years. However, eligible children who began their two year cap in 2016 will have access to benefits up to $1,000 for that two year period.
If you do not use all of your benefit in the first year of eligibility, you can use it in the second year if you are still eligible. Any remaining balance will not be carried forward at the end of the second year.