The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) allows eligible children to avail of government benefits for dental services. You can claim benefits for any of the following:
- Up to $1,026 if 2022 is year one of the 2 calendar year period
- Up to $1,052 if 2023 is year one of the 2 calendar year period
The cap amount is indexed yearly on 1 January. The increase in cap amount will only apply to a child or teenager who gets their first eligible service in that year.
The program is backed by Medicare and designed to help offset the cost of several dental treatments for children.
The benefits have a two-year validity period that starts when your child gets their first dental service covered by CDBS. Any unused portion of the benefit will remain valid and can be spent within the two years as long as your child’s eligibility remains.
Once used up, you can apply for another two-year coverage, provided your child remains eligible. A renewed cycle will grant your child another $1,000 worth of dental benefits.
Is Your Child Eligible for the CDBS?
The CDBS is a means-tested program. It requires that you or someone in your household receives Family Tax Benefit A or other relevant Australian Government payment at least once for the year, such as:
- Carer Payment
- Disability Support Pension
- Parenting Payment
- Special Benefit
- Youth Allowance
On top of that, your child needs to meet the following criteria:
- Eligible for Medicare
- Between 2-17 years old
What’s Included in the CDBS?
The dental services covered by the CDBS include the following:
- Dental check ups
- Dental x-rays
- Dental fillings
- Tooth extractions
- Teeth cleaning
- Fissure sealing
- Root canals
However, your child cannot use the benefits for orthodontics, cosmetic dental work, or any services provided in a hospital.
At Happy Dentistry, our goal is to ensure each child receives high quality dental care at an affordable cost.
Learn more about our special offers at our dental clinic in Melbourne or contact us today at 03 9663 3401 or via WeChat to book an appointment.
