Visiting the dentist from a young age sets your child up for the best dental health outcomes possible. Not only will regular visits to the dentist help minimise the risk of them developing more serious dental issues in the future, but it will also help to make sure your child develops good dental care habits.
That’s why Alderley Dental is such a big supporter of the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). This program, run by Medicare, provides free access* to a range of dental services (up to the value of $1,026) for eligible kids aged up to 17 years of age.
Read on to find out more about the CDBS program.
Who is eligible for free dental care?
There is a strict set of criteria set by the Federal Government regarding who is eligible for free dental care under the CDBS program.
To access the CDBS, your child must be:
- Eligible for Medicare
- Aged 0-17 years old (for at least one day in the calendar year)
- Be receiving an eligible payment from Centrelink at least once a year, or have a parent receiving an eligible payment
The friendly reception staff at Alderley Dental can check your child’s eligibility for the CDBS over the phone (07 3856 2144), or if you prefer, you can check also check eligibility via your MyGov account.
What dental services are covered?
The program includes access to a range of general and emergency dental services up to a cost of $1,052 over two calendar years.
These services include:
- Routine dental check-ups
- X-rays
- Dental cleans
- Fillings
- Fissure seals
- Extractions
- Root canals
The CDBS does not cover any orthodontic work or cosmetic dental procedures.
How do I access free dental care for my child?
If you have confirmed that your child is eligible for CDBS, then the next step is to make an appointment with your preferred dentist. Some dentists will ask you to pay upfront and then claim your benefit from Medicare, while others will bulk bill.
At Alderley Dental, we choose to bulk-bill on the spot through Medicare, allowing you to access free dental services up to your child’s benefit allowance.
Before beginning any work, our dentist will take time to inform you of the costs of any treatment so that you can spend your allowance effectively, so there aren’t any surprises at the end of your appointment.
Kids get the VIP treatment at Alderley Dental
We love nothing more than seeing the children we look after grow up and develop life-long good dental habits. Our dentists do everything they can to make your child feel comfortable and at ease and treat their unique dental needs in a fun and caring way.
To make an appointment for your child, you can book online or call us on 07 3856 2144.
*Terms and Conditions apply. Please talk to our reception team on 07 3856 2144 to check if your child is eligible for the CDBS.
