Do kids get free dental treatment?
Updated: Feb 23, 2021
One of the most important things you can do for your kids is to create good oral health habits, and part of this is making sure they have a regular check-up with the dentist.
Unfortunately, for some families, worrying about the cost is enough to put them off taking their kids to the dentist.
The good news, however, is that for very many Australian families the cost of some dental treatments are covered by the Child Dental Benefit Scheme (CDBS).
Introduced in 2014, the CDBS provides up to $1000 towards basic dental services over 2 calendar years for eligible children aged from 2 - 17 years old.
Who is eligible for CDBS?
A child is eligible if they are aged 2‐17 years at any point in the calendar year, are eligible for Medicare, and receive a relevant Australian government payment, such as Family Tax Benefit Part A at any point in the calendar year.
Usually, if a child is eligible for CDBS a notification of eligibility will have been sent to the child or the child’s parent or guardian. This letter may be presented by the patient to the practice at the time of their appointment. If you don't have this letter Brisbane Dental can check your child's eligibility with the Department of Human Services on your behalf.
What services are covered by CDBS?
The CBS includes check-ups and other basic treatments such as examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals and extractions.
Unfortunately, CDBS does not cover more complex procedures such as orthodontic braces or cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening.
How do you make a claim under CDBS?
Before making a claim from kids free dental treatment it's important that you first find out if the child is eligible and, if so, that you have a sufficient CDBS balance to cover the cost of the treatment, and secondly, you need to confirm that that treatment being provided is covered by CDBS.
The easiest way to do this is to contact us and have a chat. We can check on the child's eligibility and available balance and advise what treatments are likely to be carried out.
For more information you can call us on 07 3236 2984 or email us at reception@brisbanedental.com.au.