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The Child Dental Benefits Schedule, or CDBS, is an Australian Government initiative that will provide approximately $2.7 billion in Commonwealth funded benefits for general dental service for children aged 2-17 years of age.
It is estimated that 3.4 million children within the age bracket, and who meet the applicable means testing, will be eligible for the benefits each year. The means test that will need to be met will be the exactly the same as the previous Medicare Teen Dental Plan, which necessitates the receipt of government payments, such as the Family Tax Benefit Part A or other suitable payments.
What Treatments are included under the CDBS?
The government has provided itemised codes for treatments that are covered by the CDBS. These treatments include basic dental services, such as check-ups, x-rays, fillings and extractions. Services that are classified as high-end, such as orthodontic treatment, will not be covered by the CDBS.
The total benefit is capped at $1000 per child over a period of two years, with eligibility to be determined each year.
How will I be able to tell if I am eligible for the CDBS?
At the beginning of 2014, the Australian Government delivered letters to eligible children and their families that may be eligible for CDBS benefits.
Eligibility of any given child is determined each calendar year; however the funded benefits will be available for two calendar years. Based on government documents, a child is eligible to receive these benefits if they are aged between 2-17 years of age at least 1 day of the calendar year, meet all requirements and are eligible for Medicare, and are part of a family receiving Family Tax benefits Part A or one of the below listed government payments;
• Parenting Payment
• ABSTUDY
• Disability Support Pension
• Parenting Payment
• Special Benefit
• Youth Allowance
• Double Orphan Pension
• Veteran’s Children Education Scheme, if the child is 16 or over
• Carer Payment
• Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme, if the child is 16 or over
To ensure that all eligible children can use their CDBS entitled benefits, make sure that your details are up to date with Medicare and Centrelink.
Medicare can be contacted by calling 132 011.
Centrelink can be contacted on 136 150, for Family Tax Benefits Part A matters.
