Let’s face it. Visiting the dentist is not an activity we enjoy, but a necessity to keeping our teeth clean and healthy.
Did you know that dental checkups for children are recommended from as young as the age of two? In fact, as soon as soon as your young bub’s first teeth come through, six monthly check ups are advised in order to maintain their overall health.
And whilst dental hygiene can be expensive, the Department of Health Services, through our Medicare system, have made great inroads into covering the costs of basic dental services. This has been achieved through the implementation of the Child’s Dental Benefit Schedule (CBDS) – so there is really no excuse not to promote good dental habits for your child from a very young age.
Who Is Eligible for CDBS?
All children between the ages of 2-17 who are eligible for Medicare AND receive one of the following benefits are entitled to benefit from CDBS.
- Family Tax Benefit Part A
- ABSTUDY
- Double Orphan Pension
- Carer Payment
- Disability Support Pension
- Parenting Payment
- Special Benefit
- Youth Allowance
- Help under the Veteran’s Children Education Scheme (VCES) if the child is 16 or older
- Help under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme if the child is 16 or over.
Important to note: Eligibility for CDBS is based on meeting the age requirements and at least one of the above criteria for only one day a year. That means if you turn 18 on the 2 January or 2 on the 31 December, you will be eligible to be covered for the various services in the current calendar year!
To find out more about your child’s eligibility, please click here
What Services Does CDBS Cover?
Provided that your child is eligible for cover, they will receive up to $1000 in dental care every two years. This includes a range of services such as:
- Examinations
- X Rays
- Routine cleaning
- Root canal
- Fissure sealing
- Fillings
- Repairing cracked teeth
Services such as orthodontic work (braces), hospitalisation or cosmetic dentistry will not be covered by the scheme.
Whatever funds are left over from the first year will be carried over to the second year, provided that your child still remains eligible. Amounts not claimed at the end of the second year fall away, with your child having to wait again for a new two year period
How do I Register my Child?
No registration is necessary. As long as your child meets the criteria set out above, you will be notified by the Department of Human Services that you are eligible for the scheme.
How Does Bryan Levy & Associates Centre Support CDBS?
As an advocate for brighter smiles and healthy teeth, Bryan Levy & Associates are proud to support CDBS and undertake to ensure that all services offered through the scheme are offered by our team of dental practitioners.
Where our services are charged for privately, we will provide you with a detailed breakdown of costs and what out of pocket expenses can be expected.