Can Your Child Use the CDBS in Sunbury? A Simple Guide for Parents

If your family receives Family Tax Benefit Part A, your child’s dental care could already be covered — here’s what you need to know.

Overview

A lot of Sunbury parents don’t realise their child could be eligible for government-funded dental care — and that the benefit has already been sitting there, ready to use. The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is a Medicare-funded program that helps eligible children access basic dental services at no cost. This guide explains who qualifies, what services are typically included, how to check your child’s status, and what questions to ask before you book. No confusing jargon. Just the practical stuff.

In This Article, You’ll Discover…

• What the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) actually is and how it works
• Exactly which children are eligible — and the three key criteria to meet
• What dental services are commonly covered under the CDBS benefit
• What’s not covered (this catches a lot of families off guard)
• How to check your child’s eligibility in under two minutes using myGov
• The right questions to ask your dentist before booking under CDBS
• How Sunbury Dental Group supports families using this government benefit

What Is the CDBS and Why Does It Exist?

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is a Federal Government program designed to reduce the cost of basic dental care for eligible Australian children. It’s funded through Medicare, which means — if your child qualifies — they can access a range of essential dental services without the full out-of-pocket cost sitting on your shoulders.

The program acknowledges something important: kids’ dental health directly shapes their long-term oral wellbeing. Getting a check-up at seven can genuinely prevent a much bigger problem at seventeen.

It’s not means-tested in a complicated way. The eligibility criteria are actually pretty clear.

Does Your Child Qualify? The Three Eligibility Criteria

To access the CDBS, your child needs to meet all three of the following requirements during the calendar year:

1. They’re between 0 and 17 years old for at least one day of that calendar year
2. They’re eligible for Medicare — meaning they hold a valid Medicare card as an Australian resident or citizen
3. Your family receives an eligible government payment — such as Family Tax Benefit Part A, Parenting Payment, Carer Payment, ABSTUDY, or Disability Support Pension

That’s it. If your household ticks all three boxes, your child is likely eligible. Eligibility is assessed automatically at the start of each calendar year by Services Australia — you don’t need to fill out a separate application.

One important detail: even if your child turns 18 mid-year, or your payment status changes during the year, eligibility is locked in for that entire calendar year. They must still hold a valid Medicare card on the day of service, though.

How Much Is the CDBS Benefit Worth?

The CDBS provides up to $1,132 in dental benefits spread across two consecutive calendar years. That benefit cap resets at the beginning of a new two-year period, as long as your child continues to meet the eligibility criteria.

Any unused funds don’t roll over indefinitely. If the two-year benefit period ends and there’s leftover balance, those funds expire. So it genuinely pays to use it — don’t let it sit there untouched.

Think of it as a dental budget that’s already been set aside for your child. Using it is simply a matter of booking the appointment.

What Services Are Typically Covered Under the CDBS?

The CDBS focuses on basic preventive and restorative dental care — the kind that keeps small problems from turning into expensive ones. Services commonly covered include:

• Examinations and check-ups — assessing your child’s teeth, gums, and jaw development
• Dental X-rays — identifying decay and issues that aren’t visible to the naked eye
• Scale and clean (professional cleaning) — removing plaque and tartar build-up
• Fluoride treatments — strengthening enamel to reduce decay risk
• Fissure sealants — protective coatings on back teeth to help prevent cavities
• Fillings — treating existing decay and restoring damaged teeth
• Extractions — removing teeth that can’t be saved or need to come out as part of treatment
• Root canal treatment — on baby and permanent teeth where clinically appropriate

That’s a solid range of care. For most children attending regular check-ups, the CDBS covers exactly what they need.

What the CDBS Does NOT Cover

This is where a few families get caught out, so it’s worth being clear upfront. The CDBS does not cover:

• Orthodontic treatment — braces, aligners, and retainers fall outside the scope of the scheme
• Cosmetic dental procedures — whitening and purely aesthetic treatments aren’t included
• Hospital costs — if your child needs treatment under general anaesthetic in hospital, the CDBS doesn’t cover those associated costs
• Services provided in a hospital setting, even if the dental procedure itself would otherwise be covered

If your child’s dentist recommends something that falls outside the basic services list, it’s completely reasonable to ask upfront whether that specific treatment is covered before it’s performed. A good dental practice will always clarify this with you.

How to Check If Your Child Is Eligible Right Now

Checking is quick and doesn’t require a phone call if you’d prefer to do it online. Here’s exactly how:

1. Log in to myGov at my.gov.au
2. Select Medicare from your linked services
3. Click “History and statements” then select “Child Dental Benefits Schedule”
4. Your child’s current eligibility status and remaining benefit balance will appear there

If you don’t have a myGov account linked to Medicare, you can call Services Australia directly on 132 150. Dentists can also check eligibility on your behalf when you arrive for an appointment.

It takes two minutes. If you haven’t checked recently, it’s worth doing today.

A Note About How the CDBS Works at Sunbury Dental Group

This is an important distinction to understand. Sunbury Dental Group is not a general bulk-billing dental clinic — meaning routine adult appointments are not bulk billed through Medicare (since Medicare doesn’t cover general adult dental care in Australia).

However, for children who meet the CDBS eligibility criteria, our team can process CDBS claims directly through Medicare on their behalf. The CDBS benefit is a government entitlement for eligible children — not a blanket “free dentist for everyone” arrangement.

When you contact us about your child’s appointment, let our team know you’d like to use the CDBS. We’ll confirm your child’s eligibility and explain clearly what any out-of-pocket costs (if any) may apply for treatment that exceeds the benefit balance or falls outside covered services.

What to Ask Before You Book

Walking in prepared makes the whole experience smoother. Before booking your child’s CDBS appointment, it’s worth asking:

• “Is my child confirmed as eligible for the CDBS this year?” — your dentist can check this for you
• “What is my child’s current remaining benefit balance?” — especially relevant if they’ve had treatment elsewhere previously
• “Which specific treatments can be claimed under the CDBS at this visit?” — so you’re clear before treatment begins
• “Will there be any gap fees, and if so, for which services?” — not every item covered by the CDBS is covered at the same rate everywhere
• “Do you process the CDBS claim directly, or do I need to claim through Medicare myself?” — most practices process it for you, but good to confirm

These aren’t difficult questions. Any dental practice accustomed to the CDBS will answer them confidently and clearly.

Why Kids’ Dental Health Deserves the Attention

It’s easy to think of baby teeth as temporary — and technically, they are. But they hold space for adult teeth, support speech development, and affect how your child chews and eats every single day. Untreated decay in baby teeth can spread and cause real pain.

Regular dental check-ups from an early age also build positive habits. A child who grows up comfortable at the dentist is far less likely to avoid it as an adult. And that matters enormously for their long-term health.

The CDBS exists precisely because preventive care for children has long-term value — not just for families, but for the broader healthcare system.

Conclusion

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is a genuinely valuable resource that many Sunbury families are already entitled to — but not everyone knows to use it. The key points to carry with you: your child must meet the three Medicare eligibility criteria, the benefit covers a solid range of basic dental services up to $1,132 over two years, and checking your child’s status takes about two minutes through myGov.

If you’re unsure whether your child is eligible or how the CDBS works at our practice, the simplest next step is to give us a call. We’ll help you figure it out — no pressure, no confusion.

This article provides general information about the Child Dental Benefits Schedule only and does not constitute financial, medical, or dental advice. CDBS eligibility criteria and benefit amounts are determined by the Australian Government and subject to change. Please check current entitlements with Services Australia or speak with your dental practice directly. Individual