Child Dental Benefit Schedule (CDBS)

It is important to start looking after your baby’s teeth as soon as they come through. Visiting the dentist regularly is one part of good dental care. The Australian Government covers the cost of basic dental services for about 3 million children aged 2 to 17.

For some lower income families, the expense of essential dental care can be too much, leading to many children developing dental problems later on in life. However, these issues can be avoided if your children are eligible for the Child Dental Benefit Schedule (CDBS). This government assistance package enables children to receive the necessary dental care that they’re entitled to.

Integrated Dental Canberra is proud to be a CDBS provider in our  Canberra clinic. We’re also a bulk billing practice and can bulk bill on the spot, leaving you with no gap to pay.

The program is aimed at families who are already receiving other benefits such as Family Tax Benefit A payments.

What Does the CDBS Offer?

Children eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule can receive $1000 worth of basic dental services over two consecutive calendar years. If the child doesn’t use the full $1000 in the first year, the balance carries over for the second year as long as they remain eligible to take advantage of the benefits.

Treatments available under the schedule include:

• Oral examination
• Professional dental cleaning
• Root canal therapy
• Extraction
• Fissure sealants
• X-rays

CDBS benefits do not extend to advanced treatments like orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry. It is important to note that dental services provided by hospitals are not covered by the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.

Conditions of Eligibility

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is a means-tested programme, with an estimated 3.4 million children (aged between 2 and 17) granted access to dental care each year. A standard pre-requisite for your child’s eligibility is that the family must be receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A or other specified government payments. such as:

You can get the benefits for your child if:

• you’re their parent or guardian, or
• you’re an approved care organisation
• the child gets an eligible payment for at least 1 day of the calendar year

Children who get payments in their own name can also get the benefits if they’re:

• 2 to 17 years old for at least 1 day of the calendar year
• eligible for Medicare, and
• getting an eligible payment for at least 1 day of the calendar year

In some circumstances, teenagers who have a partner that gets a payment, may also be eligible to get the benefits.

Child’s Parent, Carer, or Guardian:

• Family Tax Benefit Part A
• Parenting Payment
• Double Orphan Pension
• ABSTUDY

Child:

• Family Tax Benefit Part A
• Parenting Payment
• Carer Payment
• Disability Support Pension
• Special Benefit
• Youth Allowance
• Help under the Veterans’ Children Education Scheme (VCES) if the child is 16 years or older
• Help under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme if the child is 16 years or older

Teenager’s Partner:

• Family Tax Benefit Part A
• Parenting Payment

NOTE: You are not required to register for the programme. Those eligible will receive a letter from the Australian Government confirming their eligibility.

If your child is eligible for CBDS, you can claim up to $1,000 free dental every 2 years.

Call us today on (02) 6249 8551 and we’ll oversee the rest.