All children under 18 and who are eligible for Medicare can access public dental services in NSW. Some children may also be eligible for the Commonwealth’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule.
What is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) gives eligible children and teenagers access to up to $1,000 in benefits for dental services over two calendar years.
Children and teenagers are eligible for the CDBS if they’re aged 2 to 17 years for any one day of the calendar year, are eligible for Medicare, and are part of a family that receives Family Tax Benefit Part A or the child receives an Australian Government payment from the list available through the Department of Human Services.
You don’t need to register your child for the CDBS. Families and teenagers will be advised by Medicare if they are eligible. You can check your child’s eligibility and CDBS balance through your Medicare online account at my.gov.au or by calling Medicare on 132 011.
If ineligible for the CDBS, your child will still be seen by the public dental service and it will not affect the care we provide your child.
What services are covered by the CDBS?
A range of services can be provided under the CDBS including:
- examinations
- x-rays
- cleaning
- fissure sealing
- fillings
- root canals and extractions.
Benefits are not available for orthodontic or cosmetic dental work, and cannot be paid for any services provided during a stay in hospital (including day surgery).
How can my child access the CDBS?
Your child can access dental care under the CDBS through either a private dental provider or a NSW public dental service.
Using the CDBS when your child visits a NSW public dental service is easy and convenient.
- If your child is 2-17 years old, public dental service staff will ask you to sign a form allowing us to claim benefits from Medicare for the services we provide. Those benefits will be used to strengthen public dental services and treat more people in need of dental care.
- No out of pocket costs. Even if the $1,000 cap is reached, or your child needs treatment not covered by the CDBS, there will be no charge for these services
- Continuity of care. Because you don’t have to worry about additional costs if your child reaches the $1,000 cap, you can continue to visit the public dental service regardless of the type or amount of dental care your child requires.
- Quality of care. Regardless of whether your child is eligible for the CDBS, they will still receive the same high standard of care that all our patients receive. NSW public dental services have highly trained staff, including dentists, dental therapists and oral health therapists, who are experienced in providing dental care to children.
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