Advantages of the Child Dental Benefits Scheme in Modern Era

Child Dental Benefits Schedule: The Child Dental Benefits Scheme (CDBS) is a scheme run by Medicare that affords eligible children up to $1,000 over 2 calendar years to pay for a variety of dental services. It’s for those families who are already getting other benefits, such as Family Tax Benefit A payments.

If your child is qualified, the CDBS will cover dental services consists of examinations, routine cleaning, repairing cracked teeth, fillings and root canals. It doesn’t provide benefit for orthodontic treatment (like braces to straighten crooked teeth), any dental work that requires to be done in the hospital, or cosmetic dental procedures (such as replacing missing teeth). 

child dental benefit scheme

All dentists do not provide services under the CDBS. Make sure you confirm with the dentist before you book an appointment.

Who is eligible?
The CDBS is for children aged 2 to 17 who will be benefitted for Medicare and who also get at least one of the following benefits:

• Family Tax Benefit Part A
• Career Payment
• Disability Support Pension
• Parenting Payment

Special Benefit

• Youth Allowance
• Provide under the Veterans’ Children Education Scheme (VCES) if the child is 16 years or older
• Provide under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme if the child is 16 or older
• In some cases, CDBS payments are made to parents, guardians or approved care organizations.

Eligibility is examined at the beginning of the calendar year. You or your child have to fulfill the requirements for at least one day of the year. If you or your child become qualified during the calendar year (for example, if your child turns 2 during the year), they will get a payment for the whole year. Any money you don’t spend in the first year will be carried over to the second year.

Before you start

• Ensure your child is eligible.
• Check your balance by using your Medicare online account through my Gov. You can also call the Medicare general verifying.
• Discuss to a private or public dentist. Let them know you or your child are able the benefits.
• Discuss the child’s treatment, costs and if there are anything restrictions with the dentist. You should do this before you get the services.
• Sign a form and provide consent to the services and the cost, your dentist will provide it to you.
• Have your dentist do the service.

When you need to claim

If your dentist:

• Bulk bills, you don’t require to submit a claim
• Doesn’t bulk bill, you must pay the bill and claim your benefits from them
• Don’t forget, you can’t claim from them and as a private health insurer for the same dental service

Public versus private dentists

Children who receive CDBS payments can get treatment in any public dental clinic. The claim will be bulk-billed and you don’t need to spend from your pocket.

You can also this CDBS payments to pay for some or all of the treatment at a private dentist. You can use all of the $1,000 at once or spread it out over the 2 calendar years.

You may still require to pay some out-of-pocket costs if you select a private dentist. Ensure yourself to understand how much the procedure is going to cost and whether there is likely to be any additional work required. Your dentist should make you understand all the expenses to you before they start treatment. They will check whether your child is eligible to receive CDBS payments and how much is remaining in their balance. If you have private health insurance, you will not be able claim payment from your health fund and for a CDBS payment for the same treatment.