Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) | Bracken Ridge Dental

Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)

Who is eligible for CDBS?

Children and teenagers in Australia may be entitled to free dental services if:

  • they are aged between 2 and 17 years old (on at least 1 day of the calendar year)
  • they are eligible for Medicare
  • they, their parent/guardian or approved care organisation receive certain Medicare payments at least once a year (such as Family Tax Benefit)

You can find out more and check your eligibility on the Services Australia website.

How much can I claim?

From 2021, CDBS covers up to $1,052 of general dental services spread over 2 consecutive calendar years.

However much of your allowance you claim, this amount will reset at the end of the second calendar year, if your child is still eligible.

What treatments are covered?

CDBS covers general check-ups, preventive care and basic treatments carried out at participating dental clinics. This includes:

  • oral health assessments
  • dental cleaning
  • x-rays
  • fissure sealing

What is not covered?

Not all dental treatments are covered by CDBS. For example, you will not be able to claim for:

Our dentists will make sure you know what is and isn't covered when we discuss your child's treatment options.

How to make a claim

We offer bulk billing for CDBS at Bracken Ridge Dental. This means we can process your claim for you on the day of your child's visit, so you won't be left out of pocket.

Let us know before your visit if you plan to claim your child's services on CDBS. Our staff can check how much balance you have remaining and whether this will cover all of your costs.

You can also claim your benefit from Medicare by:

  • using the Express Plus Medicare mobile app
  • signing in to your online Medicare account
  • completing a Medicare claim form

Can I claim on CDBS and health insurance?

You can't claim the same dental service on CDBS and a private health fund. If your CDBS allowance does not cover your total treatment cost, you will need to cover the balance.

However, if a service is not covered by CBDS, you can check whether your health insurance covers it. We also offer interest-free payment plans if you need some help managing your bill.