What is the CDBS?

CDBS is a government-funded system that provides eligible children with financial assistance (capped at $1,000) for basic dental services over the space of two consecutive calendar years. To be eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), a child must:

• Be aged 2 to 17 years for at least 1 day of the calendar year
• Be eligible for Medicare
• Receive, or be part of a family receiving, certain Australian Government payments

What is covered?

Services that receive a benefit under the CDBS include (some services have claiming restrictions):

• Check-ups
• X-rays
• Cleaning
• Fissure sealing
• Fillings
• Root Canals
  
• Extractions
• Partial Dentures

Please note that benefits are not available for orthodontic or cosmetic dental work, and cannot be used to pay for any services provided in a hospital.

The Two-Year Period

You can claim up to $1,000 for each child over 2 consecutive calendar years. The two-year period starts at the beginning of the calendar year in which your child both:

• Becomes eligible
• Gets their first dental service

You can use the full amount of $1,000 in the first year however this will leave no funds for the second year. If you don't use the full $1,000 in the first year, you can use it in the second year but only if your child remains eligible.

If you don't use the full amount within the two calendar years, you can't use the remaining funds. You'll have to wait for a new two-year cover period to start. You also won't be able to use any remaining funds once your child is no longer eligible.

For more information regarding the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) and its eligibility, visit the Services Australia website, or call Medicare on 132 011.