The Child Dental Benefits Schedule can cover up to $1,158 in basic dental services over two consecutive calendar years for an eligible child. It is not a yearly allowance, and it does not cover orthodontics, cosmetic work or dental services provided in hospital. The cap changed on 1 January 2026, so some older pages still show a lower figure, this guide uses the current amount published by Services Australia. Program rules can change, so check the child's current status and balance through Medicare before treatment.
What is the CDBS?
CDBS is an Australian Government program for eligible children aged 0 to 17. It pays benefits for specified basic dental services, up to the child's available cap.
A private dentist can participate, as can public dental services. Some providers bulk bill, meaning the scheduled benefit is accepted as full payment. Others charge their fee and the family claims the applicable benefit, which may leave a gap.
Who is eligible?
Services Australia states that a child must be aged 0 to 17 for at least one day in the calendar year, be eligible for Medicare, and receive an eligible payment at least once that year, or have a parent, carer or guardian who receives one.
Eligible payments include several Centrelink and Department of Veterans' Affairs payments. There is no separate application form for most families, Services Australia assesses eligibility and may send a letter or electronic notification. The safest check is the Medicare online account linked to myGov or the Medicare program line, rather than relying on a previous year's letter.
What is covered?
The current Services Australia coverage information lists examinations, X-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canal treatment and extractions. Item and time restrictions can apply, and the dentist should explain the proposed service and cost before treatment.
The CDBS does not cover orthodontic dental work, including braces, cosmetic dental work, or dental services provided in hospital.
How the two-year period works
The two-year period begins at the start of the calendar year in which the child is eligible and receives their first CDBS service. The full cap can be used in the first year, leaving no balance for the second.
If some remains, it may be used in the second calendar year while the child remains eligible. Any amount left after the two-year period does not roll forward, though a new period can begin later if the child is eligible again.
Because the cap is indexed, the amount attached to a period can depend on when the first eligible service occurred, so it is worth confirming the actual balance rather than calculating it from a general article.
How to use CDBS at a dentist
Using CDBS at an appointment generally follows the same sequence:
Check eligibility and balance
Use the Medicare online account in myGov, the myGov app or contact Medicare.
Ask whether the practice accepts CDBS
Participation and bulk billing are not automatic.
Request a treatment plan
Ask for services, item numbers, fees, expected benefits and any gap.
Give informed financial consent
The provider must discuss the services and costs before treatment. A parent or guardian may need to sign the relevant consent form.
Claim or allow bulk billing
If the practice bulk bills, it claims directly. Otherwise, the account may be paid and then claimed, subject to the benefit rules.
Check the remaining balance
This helps avoid planning later treatment against money that has already been used.
CDBS and bulk billing are not the same
CDBS makes the child eligible for scheduled benefits. Bulk billing is the way a provider chooses to charge for an eligible service.
A CDBS provider may not bulk bill, and the available benefit may not equal the practice fee. It is worth asking two separate questions: can we use CDBS here, and will this service be bulk billed with no gap?
Finding a CDBS dentist
The Dentist360 directory should let families filter for providers that state they accept CDBS. The listing should also show whether the practice says it currently bulk bills, but families must confirm both details at booking.
Useful booking questions include whether the practice accepts CDBS for new patients, whether it bulk bills examinations, X-rays and treatment, whether it can check the remaining balance, whether any service will have a gap, and what happens if the cap is reached during the plan.
Frequently asked
Services Australia currently lists $1,158 per eligible child over two consecutive calendar years. The cap is indexed and the amount attached to a child's period can depend on when it began.
It can be used in the second year of the active two-year period while the child remains eligible. It does not carry beyond that period.
No. Services Australia excludes orthodontic dental work, along with cosmetic work and hospital dental services.
Both appear in the covered service categories, subject to item restrictions, available balance, eligibility and the treatment proposed.
Yes, unless the provider bulk bills and accepts the CDBS benefit as full payment. The cost and likely benefit should be explained before treatment.
