Did you know that around two in three eligible Australian families aren't taking advantage of free government-funded dental care for their children? That's hundreds of thousands of kids missing out on check-ups, fillings, and other essential treatments — all at no cost to their parents.
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is one of Australia's most valuable but underutilised health programs. If your child is eligible, it could save your family over $1,000 on dental care over two years.
Here's everything you need to know.
What Is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is an Australian Government initiative that provides financial support for basic dental services for eligible children aged 0 to 17. It's administered through Medicare and Services Australia.
Under the CDBS, eligible children can access up to $1,158 worth of dental benefits over two consecutive calendar years (2026 cap, indexed annually on 1 January). Most participating dental practices will bulk-bill directly to Medicare, meaning no out-of-pocket cost for families.
Is Your Child Eligible?
To qualify for the CDBS, your child must:
Be aged 0 to 17 for at least one day of the calendar year
Be eligible for Medicare
Be receiving an eligible government payment, OR have a parent, carer, or guardian receiving an eligible payment at least once during that calendar year
Eligible government payments include:
Family Tax Benefit Part A
Parenting Payment
Youth Allowance
ABSTUDY Living Allowance
Disability Support Pension
Carer Payment
And several other Centrelink payments
💡 Tip: You'll usually receive an eligibility letter from Services Australia automatically. You can also check your child's eligibility and available balance by logging into your Medicare account at my.gov.au, or by calling Medicare on 132 011.
What Dental Services Are Covered?
The CDBS covers a wide range of basic dental services, including:
Dental examinations and check-ups
X-rays
Scale, clean, and polish
Fissure sealing
Fillings
Root canal treatment
Extractions
Mouthguards (in some cases)
What's NOT covered:
Orthodontic treatment (braces, aligners)
Cosmetic dental work
Dental services performed in a hospital
Specialist services
How Does the $1,158 Cap Work?
Understanding the two-year structure is important so your family gets the most from the scheme:
The two-year period starts on 1 January of the calendar year in which your child first becomes eligible and uses a covered service.
You can use the full amount in year one, but that leaves nothing for year two.
Any unused balance can carry over into year two — but only if your child remains eligible.
If you don't use the full amount within the two-year period, leftover funds are forfeited.
Once the two-year period ends (and your child remains eligible), a new period begins with a fresh cap.
The cap is indexed each year on 1 January — but the new rate only applies to children whose first eligible service falls within that calendar year.
How to Use Your Child's CDBS Benefits
Using the CDBS is simple:
Step 1: Check eligibility: Log into myGov, call Medicare on 132 011, or ask your dental practice to check on your behalf.
Step 2: Find a participating dentist: Most private and all public dental clinics can provide treatment under the CDBS. Always confirm before booking — you can use dentalappointments.com.au to quickly find and book a CDBS-registered dental practice near you.
Step 3: Book your appointment: Let the dental practice know your child is eligible for the CDBS when you book.
Step 4: Attend and get treated: The dentist will assess your child and provide eligible treatment within your available cap.
Step 5: Claim: Most practices bulk-bill directly to Medicare, so there's nothing more to do. If your dentist doesn't bulk-bill, you'll pay upfront and then claim through Medicare via myGov, the Express Plus Medicare app, or by visiting a service centre.
Top Tips to Maximise Your Child's Dental Benefits
Don't wait — book as early in the calendar year as possible so you have time to use the full balance.
Spread treatment across both years for ongoing care (e.g. a check-up each year plus any treatment as needed).
Check your balance regularly via myGov so you're never caught off guard.
Ask your dentist to plan treatment within your benefit cap to avoid unexpected costs.
Preventive care first — regular check-ups and cleans now can prevent costly dental issues later.
Multiple children in your family? Each eligible child gets their own separate $1,158 cap.
Public vs. Private Dentists — What's the Difference?
Both public and private dental clinics can provide CDBS-covered treatment:
Private dentists: Most will bulk-bill directly, meaning no gap payment. Always confirm before your appointment. You'll often get more flexibility in appointment times and shorter waiting periods.
Public dental clinics: Always free for CDBS-eligible children. You'll need to sign a CDBS Bulk Billing Patient Consent Form. Waiting times can be longer.
If your child has exhausted their CDBS benefits, many public dental clinics still offer free or low-cost dental care for children.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my child turns 18 during the year?
Your child must be 0–17 for at least one day of the calendar year to be eligible. If they turn 18, they remain eligible for that calendar year.
Can I use the CDBS for orthodontics or braces?
No. Orthodontics, cosmetic procedures, and hospital-based dental services are not covered. Speak to your dentist about private health fund options if your child needs orthodontic work.
My child has never been to the dentist — is that okay?
Absolutely! In fact, the CDBS is a great reason to book that first appointment. Early dental visits set up lifelong good habits and catch issues before they become expensive problems.
What if I've lost my eligibility letter?
No problem. Check your eligibility and balance anytime through myGov or by calling Medicare on 132 011.
Can both separated parents use the CDBS for the same child?
No. The benefit cap applies per child, regardless of which parent books the appointment.
Ready to Book Your Child's Dental Appointment?
Don't let your child's free dental benefits go to waste. Use dentalappointments.com.au to find CDBS-participating dental practices near you and book an appointment today — it only takes a minute.
Healthy smiles start with a single appointment. 😊
Disclaimer: Benefit amounts and eligibility criteria are subject to change. The cap figure referenced in this article is the 2026 indexed rate. Always verify current details via Services Australia at servicesaustralia.gov.au or by calling Medicare on 132 011.
Tags
