Dental benefits for kids (CDBS)
4-minute read
Key facts
- Visiting the dentist regularly is an important part of good dental care.
- The Australian Government’s Child Dental Benefit Schedule (CDBS) covers the cost of basic dental services for eligible children aged 0 to 17 years.
- The CDBS provides eligible children access to a capped benefit for a range of basic dental services.
- You can use CDBS payments to help pay for your child’s dental treatment at a public or private dentist.
- If you see a private dentist, ask about out-of-pocket costs.
What is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule, often known as the CDBS, was introduced by the Australian Government to help families access preventative dental care and general dental treatment for children aged 0 to 17 years.
The CDBS provides eligible children with a capped benefit over a 2 calendar-year period.
This cap is used to claim individual benefits for a range of basic dental services, at both public and private dental clinics. Many dental clinics will bulk bill this treatment.
When you book an appointment, let your dentist know that you want to use the CDBS, and ask how much funding you have available under your CDBS cap.
Services Australia manages the payments of CDBS benefits.
Who is eligible for the CDBS?
You don’t need to apply or register for CDBS. Services Australia will notify you if your child is eligible, either electronically or by post. Your child may be eligible for the CDBS if during the relevant calendar year:
- they are eligible for Medicare on the day they get dental treatment, and
- they are less than 18 years old for at least 1 day of the calendar year, and
- they receive or are part of a family that receive an eligible payment from Services Australia at least once
Public and private dentists
All public dental clinics provide dental treatment for children who receive CDBS payments. The service will be bulk billed and there will be no out-of-pocket costs.
You can also use CDBS payments to pay for some or all of your treatment at a private dentist.
You can use all the money at once or spread it out over the 2 calendar years, however once the benefit cap has been reached, no further benefits are payable in that benefit cap period.
You may need to pay some out-of-pocket costs if you choose a private dentist. Make sure you check how much the procedure is likely to cost and if there is likely to be any additional work needed. Ask your dentist to explain all the costs to you before your child starts treatment.
If you have private health insurance, you cannot claim a payment from your health fund and claim for a CDBS payment for the same treatment.
What is covered by the CDBS?
If your child is eligible, the CDBS will cover part or the full cost of some basic dental services for children including:
- teeth cleaning
- x-rays
- fissure sealing
- fillings
- root canals
- extractions
- partial dentures
Before your appointment, check what each service will cost and if the CDBS covers all or part of the costs.
The CDBS does not cover:
- orthodontics
- cosmetic dental work
- any dental services in a hospital
Where can I find a public dentist?
To find a dentist who bulk bills, use the healthdirect Service Finder to find dentists in your area.
Resources and support
To find more information on the Child Dental Benefits Schedule:
- visit the Department of Health’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule
- call Services Australia on 132 011
- ask your dentist about the CDBS
It is important to start looking after your baby’s teeth as soon as they come through. Visiting the dentist regularly is one part of good dental care.