The Child Dental Benefits Schedule provides eligible families with children aged 2-17 years old with access to a benefit of $1,000* for eligible dental services over a 2 calendar year period.

The CDBS provides benefits for a range of dental services including:

• dental check-ups
• X-rays
• teeth cleaning
• fissure sealing
• fillings
• root canals
• tooth extractions

Benefits are not available for orthodontics or cosmetic dental work and cannot be used for any services provided in a hospital.

The CDBS continues to be means tested, which requires of Family Tax Benefit Part A or a relevant Australian Government payment. Your child is eligible when:

• they are eligible for Medicare
• they are between 2 and 17 years old for at least 1 day that year
• you or they get an eligible payment at least once that year.

You can claim up to $1,000 for each child over 2 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 of $1,000 in the first year. This will leave no funds for the second year. If you don’t use the full $1,000 in the first year, you can use it in the second year. You can only use it in the second year if your child remains eligible.

For full information, please visit the Australian Government’s website:

• https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/child-dental-benefits-schedule

*Free when services covered by the Commonwealth Government’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule are bulk billed by participating Practitioners for treatments provided to eligible patients.