Despite announcements to the contrary, the Child Dental Benefits Schedule will remain operational into 2017.
On the day of Federal Parliament in 2016, after months of lobbying by the Australian Dental Association, the ALP, Greens and members of the Crossbench, the Government did not introduced legislation to close the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).
The CDBS is provided to eligible children who are between the ages of 2 and 17 years on any one day of the calendar year. Eligibility measures include, those who are receiving certain government benefits such as Family Tax Benefit Part A for at least part of the calendar year. If you or your child is eligible, you will receive a letter from Medicare letting you know.
The CDBS provides funding to support basic dental services. The CDBS is capped at $1,000 per child over 2 consecutive calendar years. Any portion of the $1,000 benefit not used in the first year can be used in the second year if you remain eligible. You cannot access any remaining benefit after the end of the second year.
Service covered including:
examinations
X-rays
cleaning
fissure sealing
fillings
root canals
extractions
Benefits aren’t available for orthodontic, mouthguards, splints or cosmetic dental work and cannot used to pay for any hospital services.
For more details information contact Medicare
To ensure this schedule continues, patients need to support the schedule and let their local member and Senators know that the scheme provides invaluable care to many children who may not otherwise be able to afford dental care. We support the CDBS and encourage parents of eligible children to use their benefit and support this great initiative.