Free Dental for children…are you eligible?
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.
Child Dental Benefits Schedule
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 hospital, or cosmetic dental procedures (such as replacing missing teeth).
Not all dentists provide services under the CDBS. Make sure you check with the dentist before you book an appointment.
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.