Dental Care for Eligible Children — With Nothing to Pay Out of Pocket

At Sandgate Family Dental, we believe every child deserves access to quality dental care. That’s why we bulk bill children’s dental services through the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) — a Medicare-funded program that covers a range of essential treatments for eligible children.

If your child qualifies, there are no upfront costs, no gap payments, and no claim forms for you to manage. We handle everything directly with Medicare so you can focus on what matters — your child’s health and comfort.

Our Sandgate dental team takes a gentle, patient approach with children of all ages. Whether it’s your child’s very first dental visit or a routine check-up, we take the time to make sure they feel safe, comfortable, and well looked after.

What Is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)?

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is a Commonwealth Government program delivered through Medicare. It provides eligible children with up to $1,158 in dental benefits over a two-year calendar period (current as of 2026 — this amount is set by the Australian Government and may change).

The benefit is designed to help families cover the cost of basic dental care for children and teenagers. It is separate from private health insurance and does not require a health fund membership to access.

Once a child is confirmed as eligible, the benefit can be used at any dental practice that accepts the CDBS. At Sandgate Family Dental, we bulk bill all CDBS services — which means eligible families pay nothing out of pocket for covered treatments, provided benefit balance remains. For more on how the benefit works alongside Medicare, see our guide to the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).

What's Covered Under the CDBS

The CDBS covers a range of basic dental services for eligible children, including:

Check-ups and examinations
Scale and cleans
Fluoride treatments
Fissure sealants
Dental X-rays
Fillings
Extractions

All of these treatments are bulk billed at our Sandgate practice for eligible children who have sufficient benefit remaining. There is nothing to pay on the day for covered services.

What’s not covered: Orthodontic treatment (such as braces or aligners), cosmetic dental procedures, and any dental services performed in a hospital setting are not included under the CDBS. If your child needs treatment outside the schedule, we’ll always discuss costs with you first — no surprises. See our payment options for ways to manage the cost of any care beyond the schedule.

Who Is Eligible for the CDBS?

Your child may be eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule if they meet all of the following:

Age: Between 0 and 17 years old at any point during the calendar year
Medicare: Covered under a valid Medicare card
Government payment: Your family receives an eligible payment such as Family Tax Benefit Part A, Parenting Payment, Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY, or certain other government benefits

Medicare typically sends a confirmation letter to eligible families at the beginning of each calendar year. The letter confirms your child’s eligibility and outlines their available benefit balance.

Not sure if your child is eligible? That’s completely fine — many families aren’t sure, and that’s one of the most common questions we receive. Our team can check your child’s eligibility and remaining CDBS balance before your appointment. Just give us a call on (07) 3269 6252 and we’ll look it up for you.

How Bulk Billing Works at Our Sandgate Practice

We’ve kept the process as simple as possible. Here’s what to expect:

Step 1 — Get in touch Call us on (07) 3269 6252 or book an appointment online. If you’re unsure about eligibility, mention the CDBS when you call and we’ll check before booking.

Step 2 — Bring your Medicare card On the day of your child’s appointment, just bring their Medicare card. If you’ve received a CDBS eligibility letter from Medicare, you’re welcome to bring it along — but it’s not essential. We can verify everything in our system.

Step 3 — We handle the claim After your child’s appointment, we submit the claim directly to Medicare on your behalf. There are no forms to fill in, no upfront payments to make, and no reimbursement to chase. For covered services within the benefit cap, there is nothing for you to pay.

If your child’s remaining balance is low or has been used at another practice earlier in the two-year period, we’ll let you know before any treatment begins so there are no unexpected costs.

What to Expect at Your Child's Dental Visit

We understand that visiting the dentist can feel like a big deal for children — especially younger kids or those coming in for the first time. Our Sandgate dental team has experience working with children of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers, and we take a calm, unhurried approach to every appointment.

During a typical CDBS visit, your child’s dentist will:

Carry out a thorough examination of their teeth, gums, and mouth
Take any necessary X-rays
Complete a professional clean and fluoride treatment if needed
Discuss any findings with you in plain, easy-to-understand language

If further treatment is recommended — such as a filling or fissure sealant — we’ll explain what’s involved, confirm it’s covered under your child’s remaining CDBS balance, and only proceed with your consent.

Parents are welcome to stay with their child during the appointment. There’s no rush, and we’re happy to answer questions at any stage. You can read more about what to expect at your first visit on our patient information page.

Bulk Billed Children's Dentist Serving Sandgate and Surrounding Suburbs

Sandgate Family Dental is located at 12 Lagoon St, Sandgate QLD 4017, in the heart of the Sandgate village precinct. We welcome families from across Brisbane’s northside, including:

Shorncliffe, Deagon, Brighton, Taigum, Boondall, Bracken Ridge, Fitzgibbon and surrounding areas.

Our practice is open Monday to Saturday, making it easy to find an appointment that works around school and work schedules. On-street parking is available nearby, and we’re a short walk from Sandgate train station.

If you’re looking for a children’s dentist in the Sandgate area who bulk bills under the CDBS, we’d be happy to help. Contact our team to find out more or check your child’s eligibility.

Check Eligibility and Book Your Child's Appointment

Ready to book? Here’s how to get started:

Call us on (07) 3269 6252 — we can check eligibility and book over the phone
Book online — request a time that suits your family
Not sure about CDBS? — no problem, just mention it when you contact us and we’ll check for you

We’re here to make dental care simple and stress-free for your family. If your child is eligible for the CDBS, there’s no reason to delay — regular dental check-ups are one of the best ways to protect their smile as they grow.

Frequently Asked Questions About CDBS Bulk Billing

Q: Is the CDBS the same as free dental care for kids? The CDBS is a Medicare benefit — not a blanket entitlement to free dental care. Eligible children receive up to $1,158 in covered services over two calendar years. If your child is eligible and has sufficient benefit remaining, there is nothing to pay at our practice for covered services. If the cap has been reached or a service falls outside the CDBS schedule, standard fees apply — and we’ll always discuss this with you first.

Q: Do I need to pay anything upfront? No. We bulk bill directly to Medicare for all CDBS-covered services. There are no upfront costs, no gap payments, and no claim forms for you to complete — as long as your child is eligible and has benefit remaining.

Q: How do I check if my child is eligible? Medicare usually sends an eligibility letter at the start of the calendar year. If you haven’t received one or you’re not sure, call our team on (07) 3269 6252 and we can check your child’s eligibility and remaining balance before your appointment.

Q: Can I use the CDBS at any dental practice? The CDBS can be used at any dental practice that accepts it, but not all practices offer bulk billing. Sandgate Family Dental bulk bills all CDBS-eligible services, meaning eligible children pay nothing out of pocket for covered treatments.

Q: What happens if my child’s CDBS balance has run out? If your child’s benefit has been fully used — whether at our practice or elsewhere — we’ll let you know before starting any treatment. We can discuss your options, including standard fees, health fund coverage, or waiting until the benefit resets at the start of the next two-year cycle.

Q: What should I bring to my child’s CDBS appointment? Just bring your child’s Medicare card. That’s all we need to verify eligibility and process the bulk bill claim. If you have a CDBS confirmation letter from Medicare, you’re welcome to bring it, but it’s not required.

Q: Does the CDBS cover braces or orthodontic treatment? No. The CDBS covers basic dental services only, such as check-ups, cleans, fillings, and extractions. Orthodontic treatment, cosmetic procedures, and hospital-based dental care are not covered under the scheme.

Important information: Eligibility for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is determined by the Australian Government through Medicare. Bulk billing applies to eligible children for services covered under the CDBS, within the child’s remaining benefit balance. If a child is not eligible, or if the benefit cap has been reached, standard fees apply. The benefit amount of $1,158 over two calendar years is set by the Australian Government and may be subject to change. Sandgate Family Dental can check eligibility on your behalf prior to booking. This page is intended as general information only and does not constitute medical or financial advice.