Learn how the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) helps families access free kids’ dental care. Know how to use the benefits effectively with this guide.
As a parent, making sure that your child receives proper dental care cannot be overlooked. However, dental expenses often become a concern for most of the families in Australia. Fortunately, the Australian Government’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) comes for the rescue, helping the parents ease that burden by providing free or subsidised dental services to eligible children. Googling “the best dentist near me” in Canberra or anywhere else in Australia? The article is for you to understand what the CDBS covers, how to check the eligibility, how to use it, and how to make the dental needs of your children hassle-free.
Let’s get started with understanding what CDBS is.
What Is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is an Australian government-funded program run by Medicare. It offers up to $1,095 over two consecutive calendar years for basic dental services for eligible children and teenagers aged 0–17 years. The main aim of CDBS is to improve access to dental care for children in lower-income families, encouraging the parents in providing early prevention and regular check-ups that reduce the risk of serious dental issues later in life.
What Dental Services Are Covered Under CDBS?
CDBS covers a wide range of basic dental treatments in children, including:
- Dental Examinations
- X-rays
- Dental Cleaning
- Fissure sealing
- Dental Fillings
- Root canals
- Tooth extractions
What’s NOT Covered Under CDBS?
- Orthodontic work like braces
- Cosmetic dental procedures like teeth whitening
- Dental services that are provided in a hospital setting
The paediatric dental services under CDBS can be accessed at participating public or private dental clinics, including many top paediatric dental practices in Canberra.
How Much Is the CDBS Benefit?
As of 2025, eligible children can receive up to $1,095 in total benefits under CDBS, over two calendar years. The two-year period would begin at the start of the calendar year in which your child first receives an eligible dental service. Note that any unused funds at the end of the two-year period would not be carried over. However, a new benefit period would begin if the child is still eligible. What if your child only uses part of the benefit in the first year? The remaining amount would still be available in the second year, as long as eligibility continues.
Who Is Eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?
To qualify for CDBS, your child must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be aged 0 to 17 years at some point in the calendar year.
- Be eligible for Medicare scheme.
- Receive or be part of a family receiving any eligible government payment such as family tax benefit part A, parenting payment, carer payment, disability support pension, special benefit, youth allowance or ABSTUDY.
Eligibility of the child would be assessed annually by Medicare, usually at the start of each year.
How Do You Check If Your Child Is Eligible?
There are a few ways for you to find out if your child qualifies for CDBS:
Online: You can log into your MyGov account linked to Medicare.
Phone: Call Medicare
Ask Your Dentist: Most of the dental clinics can check your child’s eligibility when you book an appointment.
How to Use the CDBS
Once eligibility is confirmed, using the CDBS is simple with the following steps.
- Choose a dental clinic that accepts CDBS. Many paediatric dentists in Canberra are covered.
- While booking the appointment, let the dental clinic know you want to use the CDBS.
- During the appointment, you’ll be given a treatment plan with a cost breakdown.
- You will need to sign a consent form before the dental treatment begins.
The dental clinic will bill Medicare directly, so there’s no out-of-pocket cost for you unless the treatment done for your child exceeds the benefit limit or includes non-covered services.
Why Use the CDBS Early?
Many families are still unaware that they’re eligible and don’t take full advantage of the available benefit of CDBS. Regular check-ups for your child can help avoid major dental problems and costly treatments later. If you don’t use your allocated funds within the two-year period, it would be wasted. Also, dental visits from a young age reduce anxiety and build long-term positive habits in your children.
Finding a CDBS Dentist in Canberra
Are you staying in the Canberra region and looking for a clinic that accepts the Child Dental Benefits Schedule? You have two options
- ACT Health has public clinics that offer bulk-billed services through CDBS for eligible children.
- Many private dental practices including paediatric specialists accept CDBS. Always ask the clinic when booking an appointment.
Make sure to keep regular dental appointments for your child to spread out costs and detect problems early. When you go for a consultation, always ask for a treatment plan before any major dental work to know if it fits within your benefit cap. Don’t hesitate to communicate with your dentist about using the CDBS and clarify what’s covered and not covered.
Final Thoughts
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is undoubtedly a beneficial program that empowers parents to prioritise their children’s dental health without the financial burden. With a good amount and subsidised care for over two years, it covers most routine dental needs for your child. There are many excellent paediatric dentists in Canberra who accept CDBS and will happily help you make the most of this exclusive government benefit.