If you have received a letter from the Australian government informing you that your family is eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), then the Charlestown Dental Care team would like you to know the excellent advantages of this program. We are excited to see your family and explain how the program works.
The first thing to know is that eligible children may access up to $1000 towards dental care over two consecutive calendar years. In addition, any benefit left after the first year can be rolled over into the second year, allowing for more comprehensive care.
What Treatments Are Covered by This Programme
Many preventive and maintenance-type services are covered under the programme, along with some more intensive treatments. Here is a list of some of the dental services included:
- Dental exams and cleans
- Dental x-rays
- Fissure sealing
- Tooth-coloured fillings
- Root canal therapy
- Dental extractions
You also should take note of those services not covered, including orthodontic care like clear aligners or traditional braces, along with purely cosmetic dental work (a tooth-coloured filling may have a cosmetic quality but is also a vital form of preventive care). If you require services provided in a hospital, those also are not covered under this programme.
How Do I Pay for CDBS?
The most popular form of payment is called bulk billing. This option allows us to do all the paperwork so that you don’t need to pay for covered services and submit a claim to be reimbursed. For more information on claiming, we encourage you to check humanservices.gov.au and search under Medicare services.
A few things you should note: If your child’s care exceeds the amount available, you will need to pay the difference. You also may not claim payment for the same dental services from a private health insurer and the CDBS.
To learn more, check these resources:
- humanservices.gov.au/childdental
- my.gov.au to check your child’s eligibility and balance through your Medicare online account
Accessing care is simple. Once you know your child is eligible, we invite you to make an appointment for your child and let us know you’ll be using the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.
We will help you track your treatment needs and how they relate to your programme’s balance. Then, to ensure you fully grasp your treatment options, we’ll have you sign a consent form. We also remind you to bring your child’s Medicare card to the appointment.
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule in Charlestown, NSW
We are enthusiastic about treating patients of all ages and want those who qualify to take advantage of the benefits offered under the CDBS. We encourage you to call our dental clinic and schedule your family’s appointments today to learn more.