Child Dental Benefits Scheme

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.