Using the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) for your child’s dental care takes five steps, most of them done before you walk in. Here is a practical walkthrough for families in McKinnon, Bentleigh, Ormond and Caulfield South who want to use a CDBS dentist.
Step 1: Check your child’s eligibility
The child must be under 18 (aged 0 to 17), be eligible for Medicare, and the child or their parent/guardian must receive a relevant government payment. The most common is Family Tax Benefit Part A. Other payments exist, so it is best to check.
You can confirm eligibility through your Medicare online account in myGov or by contacting Services Australia. The McKinnon Dental Care children’s dentistry page also has an eligibility check request form if you would like us to help confirm it.
Step 2: Check the child’s remaining balance
The CDBS benefit is a capped amount over two consecutive calendar years. Eligibility is looked at each calendar year, but the capped amount does not start fresh every January. If your child has already used part of the benefit earlier in the two-year period, only the remainder is available until that period ends.
You can check the remaining balance in your Medicare online account through myGov or by contacting Services Australia. Knowing the balance helps you plan treatment and avoid surprises.
Step 3: Book the appointment
When you call or book online, say you want to use CDBS. Have your child’s Medicare card handy and check that your child is listed on it. A parent or guardian usually comes along, because they sign the CDBS consent form.
If you are booking online, add a note about CDBS so the team can prepare. If you are new to the clinic, mention whether it is your child’s first visit.
Step 4: At the appointment
The dentist examines your child first and then recommends treatment based on your child’s clinical needs. At McKinnon Dental Care, eligible children are bulk billed under CDBS, subject to Medicare eligibility and available benefits.
Many services can be fully bulk billed. Some complex or elective procedures may have an out-of-pocket fee. Examples include wisdom teeth surgery, orthodontic extractions and selected pulpotomies. If any extra cost applies, it is discussed with you and your consent is obtained before treatment proceeds.
Before any services are claimed, the parent signs a CDBS consent form. This confirms you understand what is being provided and how it is claimed.
Step 5: After the visit
Treatment may be split over more than one visit. Before you leave, ask for the next check-up to be booked. That is usually about every six months, but it varies with your child’s risk.
If more treatment is planned, keep an eye on the remaining balance. You can check it again through your Medicare online account or by contacting Services Australia.
What is and is not covered
CDBS covers a range of everyday dental services, including check-ups, routine cleaning, repairing cracked teeth, fillings and root canals.
It does not cover orthodontic treatment such as braces, any dental work done in hospital, or cosmetic procedures. If you are unsure about a specific treatment, ask the dentist at the appointment.
Common hold-ups
A few things can slow things down. The child may not be on the Medicare card, or the card may have expired. The eligibility letter may not have arrived yet, or eligibility may have changed. The balance may already have been used at another clinic within the two-year period. And some treatments are simply not covered.
Most of these are sorted with a call to Services Australia or a look in your Medicare online account before the visit.
Check eligibility and the remaining balance before you book. Tell the clinic you want to use CDBS, bring the Medicare card, and sign the consent form at the visit. Many services can be fully bulk billed; if a procedure has an out-of-pocket fee, it is discussed with you first.
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How do I know if my child is eligible for CDBS?
Does the CDBS balance start fresh every January?
What do I need to bring to a CDBS appointment?
Are all treatments bulk billed under CDBS?
This article by McKinnon Dental Care is general information only and not a substitute for personalised dental advice. Please book a consultation for advice specific to you.
