The Child Dental Benefits Schedule, or CDBS, is a Medicare program that helps cover basic dental care for children and teenagers aged 0 to 17. At Knoxfield Dental Care we bulk bill eligible children under the scheme, within the benefit they have available. Here is how it works, how to check where your family stands, and what the scheme leaves out.

What the CDBS Is

The CDBS is a government scheme that provides a capped amount per child across two consecutive calendar years for essential dental services. It is not private health insurance and it does not cover everything. Think of it as a helping hand from Medicare that reduces or removes the cost of routine care for eligible families.

The cap is reviewed and changes from time to time, so check the current figure with Medicare rather than going off what another parent told you last year.

Eligibility is assessed at the start of each calendar year and holds for that year. A child might qualify one year and not the next, depending on your family’s circumstances.

Who Qualifies

Your child must be eligible for Medicare. In addition, either the child or a parent or carer must be receiving a qualifying government payment. The most common one is Family Tax Benefit Part A, but there are other government payments that also qualify.

Services Australia writes to families when a child becomes eligible, so keep an eye on your mail. If you are not sure, you can check online.

Children and teenagers up to the age of 17 are covered, and the age is worked out for the calendar year the assessment is done in.

How to Check Your Child’s Eligibility

The quickest way to check is through the Medicare section of myGov or the Express Plus Medicare app. You can also call Medicare. If you would rather we do it for you, Knoxfield Dental Care has an eligibility check form on our children’s dentistry page. Enter the details from your child’s Medicare card and we will run the CDBS eligibility check on your behalf.

When you book, bring your child’s Medicare card to the appointment. Ask us to confirm how much of the two-year benefit is left before treatment starts, so you are not guessing part-way through a plan.

What the CDBS Pays For

The scheme covers a range of basic dental services. For children, that includes check-ups, X-rays, cleans, fissure sealants, fillings, root canal treatment and extractions. That covers most of what a child needs between the first tooth and the end of high school.

At Knoxfield Dental Care, cleans are done by the dentist. For children, we use a soft rubber cup and a fruit-flavoured polishing paste. If your child is nervous, we might start with a look-and-count examination. Cleans and fluoride are added once the child is comfortable.

• Check-ups, X-rays, cleans
• Fissure sealants, fillings, root canal treatment, extractions
• Bulk billing for eligible children, within the benefit available

What Sits Outside the CDBS

Some treatments are not covered by the CDBS. These include orthodontic treatment, cosmetic work, and any treatment that has to be done in hospital. Wisdom teeth surgery and extractions done as part of orthodontic treatment are common examples.

If a treatment falls outside the scheme, there may be an out-of-pocket amount. We will discuss any costs with you and get your consent before treatment goes ahead. We can also provide a written treatment plan with item numbers so you can see exactly what is involved.

The benefit is capped across two consecutive calendar years. That two-year period starts from the date of your child’s first eligible dental service, not from January. An unused balance can carry into the second year if your child is still eligible, but whatever is left at the end of the two-year period does not keep rolling on.

• Not covered: orthodontics, cosmetic work, hospital treatment
• Out-of-pocket costs discussed and consented to before treatment
• Written treatment plan with item numbers available for non-scheme items

What Happens at the Appointment

We are set up for children. There are toys in the waiting area, a No Cavity Club, certificates of bravery and gift bags. Our dentists have completed extra courses in the ENT area and also check your child’s lips, tongue and airway for tongue tie, airway obstruction or mouth breathing.

After an examination, the dentist recommends treatment based on your child’s clinical needs. Many services can be fully bulk billed, while some complex or elective items are not fully covered by the scheme and can leave an out-of-pocket amount.

We are open Monday to Saturday, 8:30am to 5pm, and you can book online 24/7. We service Knoxfield and neighbouring suburbs including Scoresby, Ferntree Gully, Wantirna, Wantirna South, Bayswater, Wheelers Hill, Boronia, Rowville and Sassafras.

• First visit often a look-and-count examination
• Cleans with soft rubber cup and fruit-flavoured paste
• Airway and tongue tie checks included

If Your Child Is Not Eligible or the Benefit Is Used Up

If your child is not eligible for the CDBS, or if the benefit has been used up, we can still see them. We will provide a treatment plan and discuss costs with you beforehand. You might choose to spread treatment over time or prioritise the most urgent needs.

If you think your circumstances have changed, it is worth checking your eligibility again through Medicare. Eligibility can change from year to year.

For anything outside the scheme, ask for a written treatment plan with item numbers before the appointment. Sort out how you will handle that part before you arrive, rather than at the front desk. That keeps the visit calm for everyone, especially your child.

This article by Knoxfield Dental Care is general information only and not a substitute for personalised dental advice. Please book a consultation for advice specific to you.