How the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) Works in Australia
What is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is an Australian Government initiative aimed at supporting families by providing financial assistance for essential dental care for children and teenagers. This program helps reduce out-of-pocket costs and encourages early dental health intervention, benefiting children with a solid foundation of preventive and routine dental care. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the CDBS, covering eligibility, benefits and covered services.
Introduced in 2014, the CDBS is part of the Australian Government’s commitment to making essential dental care more accessible and affordable. At the time of writing this article, the scheme allocates up to $1,095 in benefits over two consecutive calendar years for each eligible child. By covering the costs of various preventive and basic dental services, the CDBS helps ensure that more Australian children have access to the dental care they need to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
The aim of the CDBS is not only to reduce the financial burden of dental expenses for families but also to encourage regular dental visits. Early dental check-ups can prevent more serious oral health issues in the future, which can be more expensive to treat. The CDBS benefits can be used in both public and private dental clinics, provided the practice accepts the scheme. Families are encouraged to confirm this with their dental provider before making an appointment.
Who is Eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?
Eligibility for the CDBS is determined annually by Services Australia. To be eligible, a child or teenager must meet the following criteria:
Age Requirement: The child must be aged between 0 and 17 years for at least one day of the calendar year in which they receive benefits.
Medicare Enrolment: The child must be enrolled in Medicare.
Government Assistance: The child’s family must be receiving certain government payments. These can include Family Tax Benefit Part A, Parenting Payment, Youth Allowance, Disability Support Pension, ABSTUDY, Carer Payment, Special Benefit, or Double Orphan Pension. Services Australia checks this automatically each year to determine eligibility.
Parents or guardians don’t need to reapply for CDBS each year; instead, Services Australia reassesses eligibility annually and notifies families. Families can check their eligibility status through the Medicare online account via myGov, or by calling Medicare directly.
What is Covered Under CDBS?
The CDBS covers essential preventive and routine dental services supporting children’s long-term oral health. The following treatments and services are covered under the scheme:
Examinations and Check-Ups: Routine dental check-ups to monitor oral health and identify any potential issues early.
Cleanings and Fluoride Treatments: Regular cleanings help prevent tooth decay and gum disease, while fluoride treatments strengthen tooth enamel.
X-Rays: Dental X-rays can help identify issues beneath the surface, such as impacted teeth, bone irregularities, or the beginnings of decay.
Fillings: For teeth affected by decay, fillings restore the function and appearance of a tooth.
Fissure Sealants: These are protective coatings applied to the grooves of back teeth to help prevent cavities.
Root Canals: For more serious decay or infections affecting the pulp of the tooth, root canals can be a necessary treatment.
Tooth Extractions: In cases where a tooth is too damaged to be saved, extraction may be necessary.
It’s important to note that the CDBS does not cover orthodontic or cosmetic dental work, such as braces or teeth whitening. It also does not cover dental services provided in a hospital setting. The benefits are specifically for basic services that contribute to maintaining dental health.
How to Use the Child Dental Benefits Schedule
Accessing CDBS benefits is straightforward and involves the following steps:
Check Eligibility: Before booking a dental appointment, check your child’s eligibility for the CDBS. You can confirm eligibility by logging into your Medicare online account or contacting Medicare directly.
Book a Dental Appointment: Schedule an appointment with a dental clinic that accepts CDBS benefits. Be sure to let them know you intend to use the CDBS, so they can advise you on the best approach for your child’s needs.
Consent to Treatment: At the dental clinic, you will need to provide written consent for the CDBS benefits to be used. This is an important step, as it allows the clinic to claim the funds for the specific treatments and services your child receives.
Understand Treatment Costs: Your dentist will explain the treatments your child requires and the costs associated with them, as well as how much of your child’s $1,095 cap will be used for each service. This ensures there are no surprises about what’s covered and what will need to be paid for out of pocket if the cap is reached.
Track the Benefits Balance: Each child has a total of $1,095 in benefits over a two-year period, and it’s helpful to monitor how much of this cap has been used. You can check the remaining balance through the Medicare online account or by asking the dental clinic for an update.
How to Claim the Child Dental Benefits Schedule
Claiming CDBS benefits is generally a hassle-free process. Here’s how to make a claim:
Bulk-Billing: Some dental clinics offer a bulk-billing service for CDBS, which means that the clinic claims the benefits directly from Medicare, and you won’t have to pay out of pocket for the services provided under CDBS. Be sure to ask if your clinic provides bulk-billing for CDBS when you make the appointment.
Paying and Claiming: If your dental clinic does not offer bulk-billing, you may need to pay the full amount upfront and then claim the benefit from Medicare afterwards. To do this, you can submit a claim through your Medicare online account, the Express Plus Medicare mobile app, or by visiting a Medicare Service Centre.
Medicare Online Account: If you claim online, you’ll need to provide details about the dental services and upload any required documentation. Medicare will review your claim and process the reimbursement directly into your bank account.
Tracking the Balance: Remember that the CDBS benefit has a two-year cap of $1,095, which resets every two calendar years. Unused funds from one period do not roll over to the next, so it’s wise to schedule regular check-ups within each period.
Why the CDBS is Important for Children’s Oral Health
Regular dental care is essential for maintaining good oral health and overall well-being, especially for children and teenagers. Early dental visits can prevent more serious dental issues down the line, and the CDBS enables parents to access preventive and essential care without a significant financial burden. By having check-ups, cleanings, and other services covered, parents are better equipped to address dental issues early and support healthy habits for life.
The benefits of preventive dental care include:
Preventing Tooth Decay and Gum Disease: Routine cleanings and check-ups reduce the risk of decay, cavities, and gum issues, which can lead to serious health concerns if left untreated.
Supporting Overall Health: Oral health is closely linked to overall health, and untreated dental issues can contribute to conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
Building Healthy Habits: By making dental visits a routine part of life, children are more likely to continue these habits into adulthood, ensuring better long-term health outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, but make sure the dentist accepts the CDBS benefits as not all dental clinics participate in the program.
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No, CDBS only covers basic services aimed at maintaining and improving dental health, excluding orthodontic and cosmetic treatments
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If you use the full amount, any additional dental costs will need to be covered out of pocket.
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Any unused amount of the $1,095 cap for dental services does not roll over beyond the two-year period. It’s important to plan dental visits and treatments within this timeframe to maximise the benefits.
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is a valuable program that enables eligible Australian children to receive essential dental care without financial strain. By understanding the eligibility requirements, what’s covered, and how to claim, parents can make the most of this government-provided benefit. Regular dental care not only supports children’s immediate oral health needs but also lays the foundation for a lifetime of healthy habits and well-being. For more information or to check eligibility, visit the Services Australia website. Alternatively, you can contact our team or simply fill out the form below.