The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS scheme) helps eligible children access basic dental services through Medicare, with benefits of up to $1,158 for a child whose two-calendar-year benefit period starts in 2026. Eligibility is not automatic for every child aged 0–17: the child must meet Medicare, age and qualifying-payment requirements. This guide explains how to check eligibility, what services may be covered, how the benefit cap works and how to arrange a child’s dental appointment in Mornington.
Key Takeaways
- The CDBS scheme is available to eligible children aged 0–17, subject to Medicare and qualifying-payment requirements.
- The benefit cap depends on when the child’s two-calendar-year benefit period begins: $1,158 if it starts in 2026, or $1,132 if it started in 2025.
- Covered services can include examinations, X-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canal treatment and extractions, subject to program rules.
- CDBS does not cover orthodontic treatment, cosmetic dental work or dental services provided in hospital.
- Before treatment, confirm your child’s eligibility, remaining benefit balance, the services covered and whether any out-of-pocket costs apply.
What Is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is an Australian Government program administered through Medicare that helps eligible children receive basic dental care. It provides benefits for approved dental services up to a capped amount over a two-calendar-year period, subject to eligibility and service rules.
The scheme can help families manage the cost of preventive and restorative dental care. It does not mean that every dental service is free, and the amount available depends on the child’s benefit period and previous claims.
For the current rules, see the official Child Dental Benefits Schedule information from Services Australia.
Who Is Eligible for the CDBS Scheme?
A child may qualify for the CDBS scheme if they meet all three core requirements: they are eligible for Medicare, are aged 0–17 for at least one day in the calendar year, and they or an eligible parent, carer or guardian receive a qualifying government payment at least once during that year. Meeting the age requirement alone does not guarantee eligibility.
Qualifying payments include Family Tax Benefit Part A and certain other payments administered by Services Australia, as well as specified Department of Veterans’ Affairs education allowances for eligible teenagers. The precise rules depend on who receives the payment and the type of payment.
How to Check Your Child’s Eligibility
You can check your child’s CDBS status through your Medicare online account linked to myGov, or by contacting Medicare. Services Australia also sends an eligibility notification to eligible families, but you do not need to bring the letter to the dentist.
Your dental clinic can check eligibility and the available benefit amount when you attend. If you are unsure before booking, contact the clinic and ask what information it needs to confirm the appointment arrangements.
For the complete criteria, visit Who can get the CDBS.
How Much Does the CDBS Scheme Cover in 2026?
The CDBS benefit cap is up to $1,158 per eligible child when 2026 is the first year of their two-calendar-year benefit period. If the benefit period began in 2025, the cap is $1,132. The applicable cap is based on when the child first receives an eligible service, so not every child will have the same amount available in 2026.
| First year of the benefit period | Benefit cap |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Up to $1,132 |
| 2026 | Up to $1,158 |
The cap covers eligible services across the relevant two-calendar-year period. Any unused balance can be used in the following year of that period if the child remains eligible; it is not a fresh amount for every appointment.
The cap is a maximum benefit, not a guaranteed cash payment. The amount used depends on the eligible services provided, the relevant benefit amounts and any previous claims.
Check the latest rules at How to use the CDBS.
What Dental Treatments Are Covered by the CDBS?
The CDBS scheme can cover a range of basic dental services, including examinations, X-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canal treatment and extractions. Coverage depends on the applicable item rules and restrictions, so the dentist should confirm whether a proposed service can be claimed before treatment begins.
Services That May Be Covered
- Dental examinations and check-ups
- Dental X-rays
- Professional cleaning
- Fissure sealing
- Fillings
- Root canal treatment
- Extractions
- Partial dentures, where eligible under the schedule
Not every treatment or item is automatically covered simply because it appears in a general list. The dentist must assess the child’s needs and check the relevant CDBS item requirements.
What the CDBS Does Not Cover
The CDBS does not cover orthodontic treatment, cosmetic dental work or dental services provided in hospital. If your child needs braces, aligners, whitening or another excluded service, ask the dentist to explain the available treatment options and costs separately.
You can review the official list and restrictions on the Services Australia CDBS page.
Is Dental Care Free Under the CDBS Scheme?
Dental care can be provided at no out-of-pocket cost when the child is eligible, the service is covered by the CDBS, sufficient benefit remains and the dentist accepts the relevant Medicare benefit as full payment. However, the scheme does not guarantee that every appointment or treatment will be free.
Before your child receives treatment, ask the clinic to confirm which services are covered and whether you will need to pay a gap or other fee. Review the proposed treatment and cost information before consenting to care.
[EXAMPLE] If a child has enough CDBS benefit remaining for an eligible check-up and the clinic bulk bills that service, the family does not pay for that service. If a proposed treatment is excluded or the clinic charges more than the applicable benefit, an out-of-pocket cost may apply.
How Do You Use the CDBS at a Dentist?
Using the CDBS generally involves checking eligibility and the remaining benefit, booking with a dentist who can claim under the scheme, and confirming costs before treatment. You do not need to apply separately for the scheme if your child is eligible, and you do not need to present the eligibility letter at the appointment.
Follow these steps:
- Check eligibility and the balance. Use your Medicare online account linked to myGov or contact Medicare.
- Book a dental appointment. Tell the clinic that you want to use your child’s CDBS entitlement.
- Confirm treatment and fees. Ask which services are covered and whether any out-of-pocket costs will apply.
- Review the consent and cost information. Make sure you understand the proposed treatment and charges before agreeing.
- Ask how the claim will be processed. If the dentist bulk bills, you do not need to pay or make a separate claim. Other payment and claiming arrangements may apply if the service is not bulk billed.
For details, read How to use the CDBS.
Finding a CDBS Dentist in Mornington
Parents looking for a CDBS dentist in Mornington should confirm that the practice accepts CDBS claims, can check the child’s eligibility and benefit balance, and explains any costs before treatment. A child-friendly approach can also help make dental visits more comfortable and support positive oral-health habits.
The Peninsula Medical & Dental Clinic provides children’s dentistry in Mornington and states that it participates in the CDBS. Visit the Children’s Dentistry Mornington service page for information about the clinic’s children’s dental services.
Before booking, ask the team to confirm your child’s eligibility, the available benefit balance, which proposed services can be claimed and whether any out-of-pocket costs will apply.
Book a child’s dental appointment
Contact The Peninsula Medical & Dental Clinic on (03) 5925 9293 or use the clinic’s dental services page to find out how to book. The team can explain the clinic’s CDBS arrangements and the information needed for your child’s appointment.
Why Regular Dental Visits Matter for Children
Regular dental visits help a dentist monitor a child’s teeth and gums, identify concerns and discuss preventive care suited to the child’s needs. The CDBS can help eligible families access certain basic services, but it does not replace an individual dental assessment or guarantee that every treatment will be covered.
Parents can support their child’s oral health by encouraging regular brushing with age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste, following the dentist’s advice and arranging dental care when concerns arise. The dentist can recommend an appropriate review schedule based on the child’s oral health and risk factors.
For more information about the clinic’s approach, see Children’s Dentistry in Mornington and General Dentistry in Mornington.
FAQs
What is the CDBS scheme in Australia?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is a Medicare program that helps eligible children access certain basic dental services. Benefits are capped over a two-calendar-year period, and eligibility requirements apply.
Who is eligible for the CDBS scheme?
A child must be eligible for Medicare, aged 0–17 for at least one day during the calendar year, and meet the qualifying-payment requirement. Eligibility is not automatic for every child in that age group.
How much is the CDBS benefit in 2026?
The cap is up to $1,158 if 2026 is the first year of the child’s benefit period. If the period began in 2025, the cap is $1,132; the applicable amount depends on when the child first receives an eligible service.
Does the CDBS balance reset every year?
No. The benefit period runs across two calendar years, and any unused balance may be used in the second year if the child remains eligible. A new benefit period and cap are subject to the program rules.
Does the CDBS cover braces or orthodontic treatment?
No. The CDBS does not cover orthodontic treatment, cosmetic dental work or dental services provided in hospital. Ask the dentist about separate treatment options and costs if your child needs an excluded service.
Do I need to apply for the CDBS before booking a dentist?
You do not need to submit a separate application if your child is eligible. You can check eligibility through Medicare, and the dental clinic can check the child’s status and remaining benefit when you attend.
Can I use the CDBS at The Peninsula Medical & Dental Clinic in Mornington?
The clinic’s Children’s Dentistry Mornington page states that it participates in the CDBS. Contact the clinic on (03) 5925 9293 to confirm current arrangements, the services that can be claimed and any possible out-of-pocket costs.
References
For the most up-to-date program details, use these Australian Government resources:
- Child Dental Benefits Schedule — Services Australia
- Who can get the CDBS
- How to use the CDBS
- Eligible payments for the CDBS
Program rules and benefit caps can change. Check the official guidance and confirm the clinic’s current arrangements before relying on a particular benefit amount or assuming a service will be free.
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Child Dental Benefits Schedule. Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/child-dental-benefits-schedule
Services Australia. Child Dental Benefits Schedule. Available at: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/child-dental-benefits-schedule
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Oral health and dental care in Australia. Available at: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dental-oral-health/oral-health-and-dental-care-in-australia
Medicare Australia. Accessing Medicare Benefits for Dental Care. Available at: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/medicare
Dental Health Services Victoria. Children’s Dental Health. Available at: https://www.dhsv.org.au