How to Get the Most from the Child Dental Benefits Scheme (CDBS)A guide for families, teens, and the Greenbank community

emmanuelr131
Jul 24
3 min read

Updated: Aug 29

Child Dental Benefit Scheme, Greenbank Family Dental

What is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is an Australian Government initiative designed to make dental care more accessible for kids and teens. It provides up to $1,095 in Medicare-funded dental benefits over two calendar years for eligible children aged 0 to 17 years.

It covers essential treatments like check-ups, cleans, fillings, and more — at no cost when bulk billed. At Greenbank Family Dental, we help you make full use of your child’s CDBS allowance, so nothing goes to waste.

Who’s Eligible?

Your child may be eligible if:

They are aged 0–17 years at any time during the calendar year.
They are eligible for Medicare.
You or your child receive a relevant Centrelink payment (e.g. Family Tax Benefit Part A) during the year.

✅ Good news: You don’t need to apply — eligibility is automatically assessed each year by Services Australia.

What’s Covered?

CDBS includes most routine and preventive dental services:

✔ Covered: Dental check-ups & cleans, X-rays, fissure sealants, fillings, tooth extractions, root canal treatments.

❌ Not Covered: Orthodontics (e.g. braces), cosmetic procedures, dental treatment under general anaesthetic in hospital.

📌 These services are fully covered when you choose a dental clinic that offers bulk billing, like Greenbank Family Dental.

The Two-Year Window: Use It or Lose It

The two-year period starts on 1 January of the first year your child uses CDBS. Once the two years are up, any unused funds expire — they don’t roll over.

🎯 Example: If your child’s first CDBS appointment is in June 2025, their $1,095 cap is available until the end of 2026. Any unused funds at that point disappear.

“I Wish I’d Used It Sooner”: A Common Story at 17

At GFD, we often see 17-year-olds coming in just before their eligibility ends — wishing they’d used their benefits sooner.

One student told us:

“If I’d just booked that clean and check-up at 16, I could’ve caught this cavity earlier and saved myself so much trouble.”

They’re not alone. By 18, CDBS ends — and young adults (or their parents) often face out-of-pocket costs for treatment that could have been covered just a year earlier.

How to Use CDBS at Greenbank Family Dental

We’ve made it easy:

Check eligibility – confirm via myGov or simply ask our front desk (we can check in real time).
Book your appointment – let us know you’d like to use CDBS.
Sign the consent form – a simple form before treatment confirming what’s covered.
Enjoy no-gap treatment – we bulk bill all eligible CDBS treatments — no hidden fees, no paperwork.

Top Tips to Get the Most Out of CDBS

✅ Start early – don’t wait until your child turns 17. Early use prevents bigger problems later.

✅ Plan your cap – use the two-year cap for a mix of preventive care and any needed fillings or treatments.

✅ Schedule ahead – book six-monthly check-ups before the December cut-off.

✅ Use it for school readiness – great for school photos, exams, and interviews.

✅ Protect adult teeth – fissure sealants and fluoride treatments reduce decay risk in permanent teeth.

✅ Ask about your balance – we can check your child’s remaining funds before any treatment plan is confirmed.

Not Eligible for CDBS?

We believe every child deserves access to quality preventive care, whether or not they qualify for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. That’s why we’ve introduced special fixed children’s rates for routine check-ups and cleans:

Under 5 years — $90
Under 10 years — $110
Under 14 years — $140

This ensures that families without CDBS can still access affordable, transparent preventive care.

Public vs Private: Your Options in QLD

In Queensland, you can use CDBS at:

Private clinics (like Greenbank Family Dental)
School dental vans and public dental clinics (may require assigning benefits to Queensland Health and completing forms)

📍 At GFD, we offer personalised care, gentle service, and clear explanations of treatment — ideal for families who want to build trust and long-term habits.

The Long-Term Win: Investing in Their Smile

When kids access dental care early, they carry those benefits into adulthood:

✨ Stronger, healthier adult teeth💸 Fewer costly emergencies later🧠 Better understanding of dental habits and prevention😁 More confidence at school and beyond

Don’t miss this window — it’s one of the most valuable health benefits many families never fully use.