Does the CDBS offer free dental treatment?

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule helps make dental care more affordable for eligible families. At Superior Smiles, we bulk bill covered dental treatments directly to Medicare, so there are no out-of-pocket costs for fully covered services within your child's available CDBS benefits. If additional treatment costs apply, we'll explain these before proceeding.

How much can I claim through the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?

Eligible children can receive up to $1,158 towards basic dental services over two consecutive calendar years for benefit periods beginning in 2026. You can use the full amount in the first year or carry the remaining balance into the second year, provided your child remains eligible. Unused benefits cannot be carried over beyond the two-year period.

What dental treatments are covered by the CDBS?

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule covers a range of basic dental services for eligible children, including regular check-ups, dental examinations, X-rays, professional cleaning, fillings, fissure sealants, root canal treatments and tooth extractions. Some treatments have claiming restrictions. Orthodontic and cosmetic dental treatments are not covered by the CDBS.

How much funding does each eligible child receive under CDBS?

Eligible children may receive up to ,158 in benefits over two consecutive calendar years if their benefit period begins in 2026. Children whose benefit period began in 2025 have a ,132 limit. We bulk bill eligible CDBS services up to the available benefit amount, so there are no out-of-pocket costs for covered treatment within that limit.

Child Dental Benefits Schedule | Perth | Superior Smiles Fremantle

Bulk Billing Dentist (CDBS) in Fremantle

We recognise that kids require additional support and specialised dental care, and we believe every child deserves a healthy smile. That’s why we participate in the Australian Government’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), designed to assist families with the cost of essential dental care. At our dental clinic in Hilton, within the City of Fremantle in Perth, we offer bulk-billed dental services to help make looking after your children’s teeth more affordable.

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is a Medicare dental program that provides eligible children aged 0–17 years with up to $1,158 towards basic dental services over two consecutive calendar years for benefit periods beginning in 2026. This includes preventative dental care such as regular check-ups, professional cleaning and X-rays, as well as treatments including fillings and extractions.

We understand that the cost of dental treatment can be a concern for families, and we don’t want that to stand in the way of your child’s oral health. As a bulk billing dentist in Fremantle, we can claim eligible treatments directly through Medicare, helping your family access the care your children need without out-of-pocket expenses for fully covered services.

What is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is a government-funded Medicare dental program that offers eligible children financial support, capped at $1,158, for basic dental services over two consecutive calendar years.

Who is eligible for the CDBS?

To be eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, your child must meet specific criteria:

Be aged between 0-17 years
Be eligible for Medicare
Receive or be part of a family receiving certain Australian Government payments, such as Family Tax Benefit Part A.

Bulk-Billed Dental Medicare CDBS dentist Fremantle Family Dental Hilton Perth

Does CDBS offer free dental?

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) helps make dental care more accessible for your little ones. While it doesn’t provide completely free care, it offers valuable support for essential services. Eligible children can access up to $ 1,158 over two consecutive calendar years.

As a Medicare dentist, we handle the CDBS claiming process for you, so there are no out-of-pocket costs while benefits are available. We want to make this as easy as possible for you.

If your child requires treatment beyond the $1,158 limit, we’ll inform you of the additional costs on the day. We’re committed to transparent, upfront fees, so there are no surprises.

We’re here to support your child’s dental health. If you have any questions or require additional information, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Additionally, private health insurance cannot be used in conjunction with CDBS for the same treatment.

Child eligibility Bulk-Billed Dental Medicare CDBS dentist Fremantle Family Dental Hilton Perth

About the CDBS

You can claim up to $1,158 for each child over 2 consecutive calendar years. You can use the full amount in the first year, but this will leave no funds for the second year. If you don’t use the full $1,158 in the first year, you can use it in the second year, but only if your child remains eligible.

The two-year period starts at the beginning of the calendar year in which your child both:

Becomes eligible
Gets their first dental service

If you don’t use the full amount within the two calendar years, you will not be able to use the remaining funds. You’ll have to wait for a new two-year cover period to start. You also won’t be able to use any remaining funds once your child is no longer eligible.

Is my child eligible for the CDBS?

Your child is eligible if you receive Family Tax Benefit Part A, Parenting Payment, or the Double Orphan Pension for the child.

Your child is eligible if they receive ABSTUDY, Carer Payment, Disability Support Pension, Parenting Payment, Special Benefit or Youth Allowance.

You or your child only needs to receive the government benefit at some point during the year to be eligible for the CDBS.

What is covered with CDBS?

Treatments that receive a benefit under the CDBS include (some services have claiming restrictions):

Regular Check-Ups (including scale, clean and polish)
Dental Examinations
X-Rays (Radiography)
Dental Fillings
Fissure Sealants
Root Canal Treatments
Tooth Extractions

Please note that benefits do not include children’s orthodontic or cosmetic dental services. However, if these are required, we can tailor a treatment plan to suit your child’s oral health, your lifestyle, and your budget, with interest-free payment plans available.

For more information regarding the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) and its eligibility:

Visit the Department of Human Services website
Call Medicare on 132 011.

Eligible children may receive up to $1,158 in benefits over two consecutive calendar years if their benefit period begins in 2026. Children whose benefit period began in 2025 have a $1,132 limit. We bulk bill eligible CDBS services up to the available benefit amount, so there are no out-of-pocket costs for covered treatment within that limit.

You can check your child’s eligibility and available benefits through your Medicare online account linked to myGov, or by contacting Medicare. We can also check your child’s eligibility and remaining benefit balance before treatment.