Could your child be eligible for $1,000 of free dental?

The Child Dental Benefit Schedule offers $1,000 of dental

28 September 2022 3 minute read

A smiling child holding an X-ray of his mouth up

Your child’s life is full of firsts – from their first steps and first day at school to their first kiss and first driving lesson. But did you know that from the moment your bundle of joy grows their first baby tooth, they should be visiting the dentist regularly?

To help parents make sure their kids are given the best chance of a 1,000-watt smile, the government offers the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), giving access to $1,000 worth of dental servicesover two consecutive calendar years to each eligible child up to 17 years of age¹.

This means that your child’s dental appointments could cost you nothing.

And, it’s not just examinations that the CDBS will cover; it also provides access to a range of different dental services including x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals and extractions¹.

A mother chatting to a dentist as her daughter sits on her lap

Am I eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?

Because this benefit is means tested, to receive the CDBS a child must meet certain eligibility requirements.

They (or they’re part of a family who) receive relevant payments from the Australian Government like the Family Tax Benefit Part A or Parenting Payment (for the full list of eligible payments, visit the government’s CDBS page)
They must qualify for Medicare on the day of the service
They must be aged between 0 and 17 for at least 1 day of the calendar year

Not sure whether you meet the criteria? There’s a number of ways you can confirm:

Log into your myGov (in the Medicare section it will advise whether your children are eligible)
Call Medicare on 132 011
Call your local dentist who can enquire on your behalf

If your children are eligible to participate in the CSDB, they could receive up to $10261
worth of basic dental treatments over two consecutive calendar years² - all the more reason to familiarise your kids with the dentist’s chair!

Will I have to pay anything at the dentist’s surgery?

Once you’ve confirmed that your child is eligible, it’s time to find a local dentist. Start searching with nib First Choice network our community of specially selected health providers, who have promised they will deliver quality care and value for money.

We recommend you and your family visit your dentist every six months for a check-up and more regularly if you have a concern.

Keen to read more about looking after your teeth? Check out our article on 6 things you’re probably doing that are ruining your teeth.

¹This does not cover orthodontic, cosmetic dental work or dental services provided in hospital.
²The 2-year cap period starts when a child or teenager first gets an eligible dental service.