Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule — usually shortened to CDBS — is a Medicare scheme that helps cover the cost of basic dental services for eligible children. It is administered by Services Australia, not by your private health fund, and it sits separately from any extras cover you may also hold.

At Sandgate Family Dental we bulk-bill the CDBS for eligible children, which means the eligible portion of treatment is claimed directly through Medicare and there is no out-of-pocket cost to you for items covered under the scheme. For full details and to book, see our CDBS bulk-billing page or book an appointment online.

Who is eligible

The general rules for eligibility are:

The child must be aged 0 to 17 for at least one day in the calendar year.
The child must be eligible for Medicare.
The family must receive an eligible Centrelink payment — most commonly Family Tax Benefit Part A, but other payments can qualify too.

Eligibility is checked by Services Australia each year. Most eligible families receive a letter, but you can also confirm at any time through your Medicare online account, the Express Plus Medicare app, or by calling Services Australia. Our team can also do a quick eligibility check at the practice using your Medicare details.

What CDBS covers

CDBS provides a capped benefit per eligible child over a two-year period. The cap amount is reviewed annually — please check the current figure on the Services Australia website or ask our team before treatment, rather than relying on older figures circulating online.

Within the cap, CDBS pays for a wide range of basic dental services, including:

Examinations
X-rays
Cleans
Fluoride treatments
Fissure sealants
Fillings
Root canal treatment on baby and adult teeth (where appropriate)
Extractions

CDBS does not cover:

Orthodontic treatment such as clear aligners or braces
Cosmetic services such as veneers and whitening
Hospital treatment or general anaesthetic admissions
Dental implants

The two-year cap

The CDBS benefit is paid up to a capped amount per child, assessed over a two-year period rather than annually. Once the cap is reached, no further CDBS benefits are payable until the next eligibility period begins. The exact dollar figure of the cap is reviewed annually — we strongly suggest checking the current amount on the Services Australia website rather than relying on older estimates, as it has been adjusted upwards in recent years.

If your child has had CDBS treatment at another practice during the current period, that earlier amount counts towards the cap. We can request a balance check before treatment to confirm how much of the cap is still available.

How bulk-billing works at our practice

At Sandgate Family Dental we bulk-bill CDBS for eligible children. In practice that means:

You bring your child’s Medicare card to the appointment.
We confirm eligibility and remaining balance with Services Australia.
Eligible services are billed directly to Medicare.
For services within the cap, there is nothing for you to pay out of pocket.

If your child needs treatment that is not covered by CDBS — for example, orthodontic assessment, or treatment after the cap has been reached — we will discuss that with you first, in plain terms, before going ahead. Nothing outside CDBS is added to a treatment plan without your understanding.

CDBS and private health cover

CDBS and private health extras are separate schemes. Your fund cannot rebate the same item that Medicare has already paid in full, but the two can complement each other:

If the CDBS cap has been exhausted, eligible items may then be claimed through your private extras instead.
Items not covered by CDBS — such as orthodontics — can still be claimed under orthodontic cover on a private extras policy.

What to bring to a CDBS appointment

Your child’s Medicare card (or your card with their name listed)
Any previous dental records or X-rays, if available
Notes on any current concerns — pain, sensitivity, fillings overdue for check, sport-related knocks

If you are unsure whether your child is eligible, bring the Medicare card and we can run a check at reception.

Why we offer bulk-billed CDBS

Our team works with a lot of families on the Brisbane northside. Bulk-billing CDBS means eligible children can have their core dental care looked after every two years without the family having to budget for it upfront, which keeps small problems small and makes the dental chair a more familiar place. For more on our approach to seeing children, see our children’s dentistry page.

CDBS FAQs

Who is eligible for CDBS?

Children aged 0–17 for at least one day in the calendar year, whose family receives an eligible Centrelink payment (most commonly Family Tax Benefit Part A) and who are eligible for Medicare. Services Australia confirms eligibility each year.

How much can my child claim?

CDBS pays up to a capped benefit over a two-year period, and the amount is reviewed annually — check the Services Australia website for the current cap.

Is everything bulk-billed?

At Sandgate Family Dental we bulk-bill all items covered under CDBS for eligible children, within the cap. Treatment that sits outside CDBS — for example orthodontics, or services after the cap has been reached — is quoted separately, with your understanding and consent before we go ahead.

Does CDBS cover braces or aligners?

No. Orthodontic treatment, including clear aligners, is not covered by CDBS. It is usually claimed under separate orthodontic cover on a private extras policy.

What if my child needs treatment in hospital?

Hospital admissions and general anaesthesia for dental treatment are not covered by CDBS. Hospital cover and the anaesthetist’s fees are handled separately — see our wisdom-teeth cover page for an example.

How do I check if we are eligible?

Your Medicare online account or the Express Plus Medicare app will show current CDBS eligibility, or you can call Services Australia. We can also run a check at the practice using your Medicare details.

Can I use CDBS and my extras together?

Yes, but not on the same item. CDBS covers eligible items up to the cap; once the cap is reached, eligible items can then be claimed under your private extras instead.

Related information

Book your child’s CDBS appointment

If your child is eligible for CDBS, you can book a bulk-billed appointment at Sandgate Family Dental. Book online or phone the practice, and bring your child’s Medicare card on the day.