Advertising feature
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Confused about the Child Dental Benefits Schedule? We’ve got you covered with our handy guide.
So how much dental work can my children have under the scheme?
On February 8, 2017, the Minister for Health and Minister for Sport, the Hon Greg Hunt MP, announced that the benefit cap entitlement under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule will be reinstated to $1,000 after earlier changes capped it at $700.
All eligible children will continue to have access to a benefit cap of $1,000 over a two calendar year period.
What is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is a dental benefits program for eligible children aged 2-17 years that provides up to $1,000 in benefits to the child for basic dental services.
Services that receive a benefit under the program include examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals, extractions and partial dentures.
Many of these services have claiming restrictions.
Services can be provided in a public or private setting.
Benefits are not available for orthodontic or cosmetic dental work and cannot be paid for any services provided in a hospital.
The payment of benefits under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule is administered through the Department of Human Services.
This advertising feature is sponsored by the following businesses. Click on the link to learn more:
Which children are eligible for dental services?
The Department of Human Services assesses a child’s eligibility from the start of each calendar year.
A child is eligible if they are eligible for Medicare, aged 2-17 years at any point in the calendar year and receive a relevant Australian government payment, such as Family Tax Benefit Part A at any point in the calendar year.
A notification of eligibility will be sent to the child or the child’s parent/guardian either electronically, or by post.
This letter may be presented by the patient to the practice at the time of their appointment.
Routine checks are performed throughout the year to determine newly eligible children. Most children will be notified of their eligibility at the beginning of the year.
How long does eligibility last?
Once a child has been assessed as eligible, they are eligible for that entire calendar year – even if they turn 18, or stop receiving the relevant government payment. However they must be eligible for Medicare on the day the service is provided.
What dental services are covered by the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule provides benefits for a range of basic dental services (see What is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule? above or check with your dentist).
Source: www.health.gov.au
