CDBS · Bulk billed for eligible children
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule at Park Road Dental
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is an Australian Government programme that covers part of the cost of basic dental care for eligible children. At Park Road Dental in Cheltenham we bulk bill eligible children under the scheme, so there is nothing to pay on the day for covered services. Call (03) 9584 4949.
What the CDBS is
The CDBS provides a capped benefit for basic dental services for eligible children, paid by the Australian Government. It is administered by Services Australia and is separate from private health insurance — having the CDBS does not use up your extras limit, and having extras cover does not affect CDBS eligibility.
Services Australia sets the cap at up to $1,158 for each eligible child over two consecutive calendar years. The cap amount is indexed on 1 January each year, so the figure changes over time; the amount above is current at the time of writing and we confirm it before treatment.
Who is eligible
According to Services Australia, a child can get the CDBS when all of the following apply: they are between 0 and 17 years old for at least one day in the calendar year, they are eligible for Medicare, and they or their family receive an eligible government payment for at least one day of that year.
Eligible payments include Family Tax Benefit Part A and a number of others. Eligibility is assessed by Services Australia rather than by us, and it is reassessed each calendar year — a child who was eligible last year is not automatically eligible this year.
What it covers, and what it does not
The scheme covers basic dental services: examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealants, fillings, root canals and extractions among them. These are the services most children need most of the time.
It does not cover orthodontic treatment, cosmetic dental work, or dental services provided in hospital. If your child needs braces or aligners, the CDBS will not contribute — our clear aligners and braces page covers those options separately.
How to check your child's balance
The simplest way is through your Medicare online account via myGov, or the Express Plus Medicare app, where you can see whether your child is eligible and how much of the benefit remains. Services Australia also sends letters confirming eligibility at the start of a calendar year.
We can also check the remaining balance for you at the appointment. It is worth doing, because the balance runs across two calendar years and carries over from any previous dentist your child has seen.
How it works at our practice
We bulk bill eligible children for services covered by the scheme, which means we claim the benefit directly from Medicare and you pay nothing on the day for those services.
You will need to bring your child's Medicare card. If you would like, we will confirm eligibility and the remaining balance before we start, so there are no surprises — and if a proposed treatment is not covered by the scheme, we will tell you what it costs before proceeding rather than afterwards.
If the benefit runs out or does not apply
If your child's balance is used up, or they are not eligible in a given year, the visit is charged as a normal appointment and your private health extras cover can be claimed on the spot if you have it.
Either way you will know the cost before treatment starts. Our children's dentistry page describes what a visit actually involves, which is often the more useful question for a first-timer.
Child Dental Benefits Schedule FAQs
How much does the CDBS cover?
Services Australia sets the benefit at up to $1,158 for each eligible child over two consecutive calendar years. The cap is indexed on 1 January each year, so it changes over time. We can check your child's remaining balance at the appointment.
What ages does the CDBS cover?
Children between 0 and 17 years old for at least one day of the calendar year may be eligible, provided they are also eligible for Medicare and they or their family receive an eligible government payment during that year.
Do you bulk bill under the CDBS?
Yes. We bulk bill eligible children for services covered by the scheme, so there is nothing to pay on the day for those services. Please bring your child's Medicare card.
Does the CDBS cover braces?
No. The scheme covers basic dental services and specifically excludes orthodontic and cosmetic treatment, as well as dental services provided in hospital.
How do I know if my child is eligible?
Eligibility is determined by Services Australia, not by the practice. You can check through your Medicare online account via myGov or the Express Plus Medicare app, and we can also confirm it at the appointment.
Book your child's CDBS visit in Cheltenham
New patients are welcome and no referral is needed. We are open six days, including Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings, with on-site parking.
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