What is Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)

Run by Medicare

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is a scheme run by Medicare that provides eligible children up to $1,000 over 2 calendar years to pay for a range of dental services. It’s aimed at families who are already receiving other benefits, such as Family Tax Benefit A payments. If your child is eligible, the CDBS will cover dental services including examinations, routine cleaning, repairing cracked teeth, fillings and root canals. It doesn’t cover orthodontic treatment (such as braces to straighten crooked teeth), any dental work that needs to be done in a hospital, or cosmetic dental procedures (such as replacing missing teeth).

Who is eligible?

The CDBS is for children aged 2 to 17 who are eligible for Medicare and who also receive at least one of the following benefits:

• Family Tax Benefit Part A
  
• Carer Payment
• Disability Support Pension
• Parenting Payment
• 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 or older

In some cases, CDBS payments are made to parents, guardians or approved care organisations. Eligibility is assessed at the beginning of the calendar year. You or your child have to meet the requirements for at least one day of the year. If you or your child become eligible during the calendar year (for example, if your child turns 2 during the year), they will receive a payment for the whole year. 

Any money you don’t spend in the first year will be carried over to the second year. Visit the Child Dental Benefits Schedule page on the Medicare Website to check whether your child is eligible. Alternatively, our friendly staff members can check whether your child is eligible to receive CDBS payments and how much is remaining in their balance.

Public versus Private Dentists

Often public dentists, despite affordability will not have availability and/or poor recall systems. Children who receive CDBS payments can receive treatment in any dental clinic. You can also use CDBS payments to pay for some or all of the treatment at a participant private dentist. You can use all of the $1,000 at once or use it over the 2 calendar years. 

At Coburg Medical and Dental, your dentist will always explain all the expenses to you before they start treatment. Most CDBS cases will not incur any out-of-pocket costs. If you have private health insurance, you cannot claim a payment from your health fund and for a CDBS payment for the same treatment.