At Diamond Dental Bundoora, we prioritise nurturing smiles from a young age. That’s why we’re proud to partner with the government’s Child Dental Benefits Scheme (CDBS) to make essential dental care accessible for all families. This program helps offset the costs of vital services, ensuring financial limitations don’t stand in the way of your child’s oral health.

Who Qualifies?

The CDBS offers benefits to children between 0 and 17 years old who:

• Have Medicare coverage.
• Receive a government payment at least once a year, or have a parent/guardian who does.

What Services Are Included?

The program covers a range of essential dental services, with a maximum benefit of $1,095 spread over two years (updated annually). Here’s what’s included:

What’s Not Included?

The CDBS does not cover:

Understanding the Two-Year Benefit Period

Each eligible child can claim up to $1,095 over two consecutive calendar years. Here’s a breakdown:

• The two-year window starts when your child becomes eligible and receives their first service in a calendar year.
• You can use the full amount in the first year or spread it out over two.
• Unused funds cannot be carried forward or used once your child is no longer eligible.

Example: Making the Most of the CDBS

Let’s look at Sarah and her son, Ben:

• In 2022, Sarah received government assistance, making Ben eligible for dental benefits starting January 1st.
• Ben remained eligible in 2023 as Sarah continued to receive benefits.
• Sarah used $840 of Ben’s $1,052 limit by December 31st, 2023. The remaining $212 couldn’t be used in 2024 because the two-year period ended.
• In 2024, Sarah’s continued benefits make Ben eligible for a new two-year period with a fresh $1,095 limit.

Claiming Benefits Made Easy

Claiming CDBS benefits is simple:

Finding Bulk Billing Dentists

Use the healthdirect website’s “find a health service” tool to locate bulk billing dentists in your area.