It is important for children to have access to quality dental care to maintain good oral health and for early detection of dental issues. However, for some families, there is a financial barrier to regular dental treatment. The Child Dental Benefit Schedule is an Australian Government initiative that provides financial assistance for basic dental services for eligible children from 0 to 17 years of age. Understanding the details of the scheme and what it covers is important for those wanting to take advantage of the benefits provided.
What is the Child Dental Benefit Schedule?
The Child Dental Benefit Schedule (CDBS) is a national means-tested program in Australia to help improve basic dental services for children aged up to 17 years. Established in 2014, it was created by the government to address poor dental health issues by providing essential oral care to children in their most critical years of development. Under the CDBS, eligible children can each receive a set dollar amount of $1,158 in benefits over a two-year calendar period.
The scheme is funded through Medicare, and many dental practices bulk bill for CDBS services so there are no out-of-pocket expenses. If the dental service does not bulk bill, eligible CDBS recipients can claim the benefit back through Medicare.
Is my Child Eligible for the Dental Benefit Scheme?
Understanding eligibility is essential for families to access the benefits, as not all children automatically qualify. The Child Dental Benefit Schedule is designed to help a range of children who meet these criteria.
- Age requirement: Children must be aged between 0 and 17 years of age during the calendar year.
- Medicare eligibility: To have Medicare eligibility, the child must either be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or have a visa with access to Medicare.
- Government payment eligibility: Families must receive eligible family government payments. These include:
- Family Tax Benefit (Part A)
- Parenting Payment
- Disability Support Payment (for the child)
- Carer Payment
- Youth Allowance
- Special Benefit
- ABSTUDY
How to Check Eligibility
It is important to check CDBS eligibility before booking a dentist appointment. To see if a child is eligible for the Child Dental Benefit Scheme, you can go through several avenues.
- Medicare enrolment: Sign into the myGov account and go to the Medicare link for enrolment details. Confirm the child’s enrolment online or call Medicare on 132011.
- Government payment receipts: Check your Government payments to see if they qualify for the CDBS benefits. You can usually find these through the Centrelink app.
- Consult with the dental office: Contact your dentist to see if the child is eligible, as dental providers can quickly check using the Medicare number.
Services Covered
To help children maintain healthy teeth and gums, the Child Dental Benefit Schedule covers all basic dental services. These include:
- Examinations: Regular dental examinations are covered by the CDBS. Dentists recommend checkups every six months.
- Diagnostic services: X-rays to detect any dental decay, developmental issues or infection are covered by the CDBS.
- Teeth cleaning: Professional scale and cleaning is covered.
- Fissure sealing: Fissure sealants to protect newly erupted teeth or molars are covered by the scheme.
- Fillings: Children with tooth cavities can have fillings for free under the CDBS.
- Root canals: Baby or permanent teeth in need of root canal are covered.
- Extractions: A tooth that is severely damaged, decayed or infected can be removed under the scheme.
- Partial dentures: When children prematurely lose teeth due to decay, trauma or congenital issues, partial dentures, which are covered by the CDBS, can be an effective treatment.
Services Not Covered
While the CDBS covers a wide range of dental services, any cosmetic, orthodontic or hospital services are not eligible. The services not covered include:
- Orthodontic treatment: Braces and Invisalign are not covered.
- Cosmetic dental procedures: Teeth whitening and veneers are cosmetic procedures that do not fall under the scheme.
- Major dental work: Dental procedures such as crowns, implants and bridges are not usually covered.
- Hospital procedures: Surgeries for complex dental cases will not be covered by the benefits.
Annual Cap and Coverage Period
The Child Dental Benefit Schedule has an annual cap and coverage period to adhere to. The CDBS has a financial cap of $1,158 in benefits over two years. These benefits apply to each individual child separately and start at the beginning of the calendar year when the child becomes eligible and has their first dental service. Funds can be used over the two years or in the first year. If used within the first year and the limit is reached, any additional treatment must be paid privately. Eligibility is assessed at the start of each new two-year period.
How to Access the Child Dental Benefit Schedule
To use the Child Dental Benefit Schedule, follow these steps.
- Confirm eligibility: Check eligibility through the myGov app or by phone.
- Find a participating dentist: Not all private dentists use the Child Dental Benefit Schedule, so check with your dentist first to see if they offer it.
- Book appointment: When booking the appointment, explain the intention to use the Child Dental Benefit Schedule and Medicare card.
- Discuss treatment: Discuss the treatment with the dentist to ensure the procedures are covered by the scheme. The dentist will examine the child and explain what treatment is necessary.
- Billing and payment: If the dental practice bulk bills, you will not need to pay anything. If not, there may be an upfront fee that can be claimed later.
- Claim the benefit: Claims under the Child Dental Benefit Schedule can be made by the child’s parent or legal guardian, a person with parental responsibility, or the child themselves if they are able to manage their own Medicare matters.
- Follow up and ongoing care: Book other appointments as recommended by the dentist for the child’s dental care.
- Monitor benefits: Keep track of the remaining benefits by checking the myGov account or discussing with the dental clinic. The CDBS operates on a two-year benefit period, so it’s important to stay aware of any expiry dates. Any unused benefits are lost once this period ends. If your child remains eligible, a new two-year benefit period will begin after the previous one ended. Keep this in mind when booking further treatments.
Goals of the Child Dental Benefit Scheme
The Child Dental Benefit Schedule was introduced by the Australian Government to improve dental health access for children by covering basic dental services. The main goals of the scheme include:
- Increasing access: The CDBS increases access to dental health services for children across Australia. It reduces the financial pressure and allows children to receive dental care regardless of their socio-economic situation.
- Preventative treatment: Access to regular dental checkups and treatments helps with the early detection of dental problems like tooth decay.
- Encourage regular dental visits: Early exposure to dental care encourages children to become comfortable with dentist visits and understand the importance of oral hygiene. It helps reduce anxiety about going to the dentist and neglect later in life.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Child Dental Benefits Schedule
- What happens when the cap is used before the two-year period finishes?
- If the cap is used before the two years end, any other dental treatment will need to be paid privately.
- Are there out-of-pocket costs?
- There are no out-of-pocket costs provided eligibility is met.
- How to find a dentist that participates in the CDBS?
- To find a dentist that participates in the CDBS, use online tools or contact dentists directly.
- Can it be used with private health insurance?
- No, it cannot be used at the same time as private health insurance.
- Can the benefits be divided between different brothers and sisters?
- The CDBS cannot be divided between brothers and sisters. The benefit cap covers each eligible child individually.
- Can benefits be used across multiple dental clinics?
- Yes, the benefits can be claimed across multiple dental clinics, but it is important to keep track of how much has been used at each.
- Does the child have to use the full amount each two-year period?
- No, there is no obligation to use the full benefit. It is simply available for dental services that the child may need over the two-year period.
- How to check balance?
- You can see your remaining balance by logging into your Medicare online account through myGov and checking the Child Dental Benefits Schedule statement.
- What documents need to be brought to the dentist appointment for proof of CDBS eligibility?
- Bring the Medicare card and any other documents like pension or parenting payment cards to the appointment.
- Will the CDBS cover any emergency treatment?
- Emergency dental treatment is covered as long as the treatment is listed under the CDBS covered services. If not listed, it will not be covered.
Regular dental visits are essential for oral health, and the Child Dental Benefit Schedule helps give Australian children access to dental care. It is available to eligible children between the ages of 0 and 17 over a two-year calendar period. The scheme was created to help remove financial barriers, encourage preventative care and long-term dental health for children. Understanding who is eligible and what services are available empowers parents and guardians to make informed decisions about their children’s oral health. Hawthorn Road Family Dental Clinic is committed to providing top-quality and accessible dental care for children. Contact them today to find out about their participation in the Child Dental Benefit Schedule.
