The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is a new child dental benefits programme. It gives eligible children access to up to $1000 in benefits per child for dental services over two consecutive calendar years.
If your child doesn’t use the full $1000 for dental services in first year, they can use the balance in the second year if they’re still eligible.
You don’t need to register for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. Eligible families and teenagers will get a letter from the Australian Government. The letter will generally be sent to the person receiving the government payment.
Services covered
Services available include:
- examinations
- x-rays
- cleaning
- fissure sealing
- fillings
- root canals
- extractions
Orthodontic services, cosmetic dental work and services provided in a hospital aren’t covered.
Paying for the services provided
Bulk Billing - For the services that are eligible to be bulk billed, you don’t need to pay a gap for the services or submit a claim. The payment comes from your $1000 benefit cap.
More information on claiming is available at humanservices.gov.au Search for Medicare services.
If we charge more than the amount you get back from Medicare, you must pay the difference. Out-of-pocket costs don’t count towards the Medicare Safety Net or the Extended Medicare Safety Net thresholds.
You can’t claim payment for the same dental services from both a private health insurer and Medicare under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.
Eligibility
Children and teenagers are eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule if they’re aged 2 to 17 years for any one day of the calendar year, are eligible for Medicare, and are part of a family that receives Family Tax Benet Part A or the child receives an Australian Government payment from the list available at humanservices.gov.au/childdental
Your child’s eligibility will be determined each calendar year.
You can check your child’s eligibility and balance through your Medicare online account at my.gov.au or by calling 132 011.
Accessing the Child Dental Benefits Schedule
Once you know your child is eligible, make an appointment for your child and let us know you’ll be using the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.
We will discuss your child’s proposed treatment and the amount of benefits from the scheme and the remaining balance available for future treatment. You’ll also be asked to sign a consent form. You should only sign the consent form after you’ve discussed and agreed to the proposed treatment.
Remember to take your child’s Medicare card to the appointment.
Shared care arrangements
If your child is in equal shared care arrangements, both parties will be notied of the child’s eligibility for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. Regardless of which parent/carer organises the child’s dental care the $1000 benefit cap can’t be exceeded.
