A lot of parents are surprised to hear that their child’s dental care might already be partly covered by Medicare. If you’ve heard the term before but never quite understood what it means, don’t worry. Many parents also experience the same thing.
Plenty of eligible families miss out simply because nobody’s explained it clearly. This guide covers exactly what the Child Dental Benefits Schedule covers, how much it’s worth in 2026, whether your child qualifies, and how to check before your next visit.
What Is the CDBS?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is a Medicare-administered benefit, not a separate application or a cash payment to you. It was introduced to make sure the cost of basic children’s dental care isn’t a barrier for families who are already receiving government support, and it works quietly in the background rather than requiring extra forms or applications on your part.
Any CDBS dentist who holds a Medicare provider number can claim the benefit directly on your behalf when your child’s treatment is provided, so there’s no separate paperwork for you to manage on the day.
Here’s what the CDBS is:
- Administered through Medicare, not a private insurer
- Paid directly to the treating dentist, not to parents
- Available at both public and participating private clinics
- Covers basic, preventive-focused dental care
- Doesn’t require a referral from a GP
Think of it as a dental-specific allowance attached to your child’s Medicare eligibility, rather than money that lands in your bank account.
Is Your Child Eligible?
Eligibility comes down to three things being true in the same calendar year, all of which are fairly common for Australian families rather than a narrow exception.
- Your child is aged 0 to 17 at any point during the year
- They’re eligible for Medicare
- You, or your child, receive an eligible government payment (most commonly known as Family Tax Benefit Part A)
If all three apply, your child is eligible for that calendar year, and it’s worth checking even if you’re not sure your payment qualifies. Eligibility is reassessed year to year rather than locked in permanently, so it’s worth checking again if your family’s circumstances change.
What’s Covered Under the CDBS
The benefit is designed around prevention and basic care rather than major or cosmetic treatment, which keeps it focused on the visits most families actually need.
- Check-ups and examinations to monitor development and catch issues early
- X-rays, where clinically needed, to see what isn’t visible on the surface
- Cleaning and scale to manage plaque and tartar buildup
- Fissure sealants to protect the chewing surfaces of back teeth from decay
- Fillings, root canals and extractions for teeth that need treatment
Orthodontic treatment, cosmetic work and anything done in a hospital setting fall outside the scheme, so it’s worth asking your dentist which category a recommended treatment falls into.
Why the CDBS Focuses on Prevention
The scheme is built around the idea that small, regular visits do more for a child’s long-term oral health than waiting until something hurts. Catching a small cavity or an early sign of decay is generally a much simpler visit than treating one that’s been left to progress, and it also means your child gets used to the dentist through calm, low-pressure appointments rather than emergency ones.
- Early detection means simpler, less involved treatment
- Regular visits help children build comfort with the dentist over time
- Preventive care like sealants and cleans can reduce the need for fillings later
- Good habits formed early tend to carry into adolescence and adulthood
A benefit that’s used consistently tends to go further than one saved up and used all at once.
CDBS vs. Bulk Billing: What’s the Difference
It’s a common mix-up, so it’s worth spelling out clearly. At our dental clinic in Buderim Family Dental, we operate on a private-billing model overall, which means general bulk billing is not something we offer across the board. CDBS is the exception, not the rule.
It’s a Medicare scheme specifically for eligible children, and it can allow eligible services to be bulk-billed under that scheme even though our general pricing isn’t structured that way.
- Our standard pricing applies to patients outside the CDBS scheme
- CDBS-eligible children can access bulk-billed care specifically through this benefit
- Whether a gap applies depends on the treatment and remaining balance
- It’s always worth confirming billing details with our team before your appointment
If you’re unsure whether your family’s situation falls under CDBS or general pricing, that’s exactly the kind of thing worth asking us before you book.
How Much Is Available, and How the Cycle Works
This is where the Child Dental Benefits Schedule dentist conversation usually gets specific, since the amount and the timing both matter. As of 2026, the benefit covers up to $1,158 per eligible child, and that figure is indexed on the first of January each year.
Here are a few important things for you to take note of when your child is eligible for CDBS:
- The $1,158 applies over two consecutive calendar years, not one
- The two-year period starts the first time your child uses an eligible service
- You can use the full amount in year one, or spread it across both years
- Any unused balance doesn’t carry over once the two years end
- A new two-year period can begin once the previous one closes, provided your child is still eligible
Because the cycle resets rather than tops up, it’s worth using regular six-monthly check-ups to make the most of it across the full two years rather than saving it all for one visit.
How to Check Eligibility and Claim
You don’t need to work this out on your own. There are a couple of straightforward ways to confirm where things stand before you book.
- Check via myGov under Medicare → History and Statements
- Call Services Australia directly on 132 011
- Ask our team to check your child’s eligibility and remaining balance for you
- Confirm before treatment starts, not after, so there are no surprises
- Ask specifically whether the visit will be bulk-billed or involve any gap payment
Every family’s situation is a little different, so it’s always worth confirming the details with us directly rather than assuming based on a previous visit or another child’s eligibility.
Book Your Child’s CDBS Check-Up With Buderim Family Dental
The CDBS exists to make sure cost isn’t the reason a child misses out on basic dental care, and understanding how it works is the first step to actually using it. If your child hasn’t had a dental visit yet this cycle, now’s a good time to check their eligibility and get something booked in. Our Kids’ Dentistry team can talk you through your child’s eligibility and what their benefit covers before you commit to anything.
Book an Appointment, or call us on (07) 5356 9599 to check your child’s CDBS eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the CDBS actually cover?
Basic dental services like check-ups, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealants, fillings, root canals and extractions. It doesn’t cover orthodontics, cosmetic treatment or hospital-based dental care.
How much is the CDBS benefit worth?
As of 2026, up to $1,158 per eligible child, available over a two-year period rather than resetting annually.
Does the benefit reset every year?
No. It runs on a two-calendar-year cycle from the date your child first uses it. Once that period ends and your child is still eligible, a new two-year cycle begins.
How do I check if my child is eligible?
You can check via myGov under Medicare, call Services Australia on 132 011, or ask our team to check for you before you book.
Will I have anything to pay out of pocket?
It depends on the treatment and your child’s remaining balance. Our team will let you know what to expect before any treatment goes ahead.