Medicare Child Dental Benefits Continues into 2017

Program information for families

The CDBS provides individual benefits for a range of services including examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals and extractions. Benefits are not available for orthodontic or cosmetic dental work and cannot be paid for any services provided in a hospital. On 15 December 2016, the Minister for Health announced changes to the benefits cap entitlement commencing 1 January 2017. Children commencing a new cap period in 2017 will have access to a benefit cap of up to $700 over a two calendar year period. Children who commenced a cap period in 2016 will continue to access the remainder of a benefit cap of up to $1,000 until 31 December 2017, provided the child is eligible for the CDBS in 2017. The CDBS has a means test, which requires receipt of Family Tax Benefit Part A or a relevant Australian Government payment. Families can check whether their child is eligible for the CDBS by contacting the Department of Human Services. General information about the program can also be found on the Department of Human Services website.