The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is a Medicare funded program providing up to $1052 worth of dental treatment for eligible children aged 0-17 over two calendar years.

If you are a family who holds a Health Care Card, receives a Centrelink payment or Family Tax Benefit A, your child(ren) may be eligible for the CDBS.

You may have received a letter from the Department of Human Services letting you know you are eligible for the CDBS.

If you are unsure, it’s quick and easy to check your eligibility. Simply ask at the reception of your dental clinic. Alternatively you can call Medicare on 132 011 (7 days a week, 24 hours a day) or visit www.humanservices.gov.au.

If your eligibility is confirmed, make an appointment with a dentist of your choice.

Eligible children may have up to $1052 of dental treatment over a two-year period.

It begins at the start of the calendar year and any money not spent in the first year is carried over to the second year.

You cannot claim benefits from both private health insurance and the CDBS for the same services.

A range of services are covered by the CDBS. These include:

• Dental check up

• Cleaning

• X-Rays

• Fillings

• Fissure sealing

• Extractions.

• Orthodontics (braces)

• Treatment under general anaesthetic

• Cosmetic dental treatment (such as teeth whitening)

• Mouthguards.