Children's toothbrushes in a cup beside a brushing timer

Quick answer

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) gives eligible children aged 0 to 17 up to $1,132 of Medicare-funded dental care over two calendar years, covering check-ups, X-rays, cleans, fissure sealants, fillings and extractions. A child generally qualifies if they are Medicare-eligible and the family receives Family Tax Benefit Part A or another eligible payment. Align Dentistry in Chipping Norton bulk bills CDBS services, so covered treatment costs nothing out of pocket, and can check a child's eligibility over the phone with a Medicare card.

What the CDBS is

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is a Medicare program that pays for basic dental care for eligible children aged 0 to 17. The cap is $1,132 per child over two calendar years, and at Align we bulk bill covered services, so there is nothing out of pocket for treatment within the schedule.

Who qualifies

Your child is generally eligible in a calendar year if they are 17 or under for at least one day of that year, are eligible for Medicare, and someone in the family receives an eligible government payment (Family Tax Benefit Part A is the common one). Services Australia assesses eligibility automatically each January.

Not sure? Don't spend time on the myGov maze. Call us on (02) 9723 5757 with your child's Medicare card handy and we can check eligibility in a couple of minutes.

Is my child eligible for CDBS bulk billing?

Three quick questions. This is a guide only; we confirm eligibility with Medicare before your visit.

Is your child aged 17 or under at any point this calendar year?

Is your child eligible for Medicare?

Does your family receive Family Tax Benefit Part A (or another eligible government payment)?

Good news: your child is likely eligible. That's up to $1,132 of bulk-billed dental care over two years. Call (02) 9723 5757 with your Medicare card handy and we'll confirm the balance in minutes.
Book a bulk-billed check-up
You may still qualify. Several payments besides Family Tax Benefit A count, and Services Australia reassesses each January. Call (02) 9723 5757 with your Medicare card and we'll check for you. It takes two minutes.
Call and check
CDBS probably isn't available this year, but children's check-ups are well covered by health fund extras, and we'll always quote before anything happens. Worth a call to talk through options.
About children's dentistry

What it covers

  • Examinations and check-ups
  • X-rays
  • Cleans and fluoride treatments
  • Fissure sealants to protect new adult molars
  • Fillings
  • Root canal treatment on baby teeth
  • Extractions

It does not cover orthodontics, cosmetic work, or treatment in hospital. If your child needs something outside the schedule, we'll tell you before anything happens and give you written costs.

How the two-year window works

The $1,132 cap spans two consecutive calendar years. If you use $400 this year, $732 remains available next year. Any unused balance expires at the end of the second year, and a new balance starts with the next eligibility period. In practice this means a family that books two check-ups a year rarely pays anything for routine children's dentistry.

Using it at Align

Bring your child's Medicare card to the appointment. We confirm the remaining balance with Medicare, bulk bill covered items directly, and keep you informed of the balance as you go. Nothing to claim, nothing to post.