Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) Explained: 2026 Guide

Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS): Your Complete 2026 Guide

Good dental health starts in childhood, yet the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that approximately one in four Australian children aged 5 to 10 has untreated decay in their baby teeth (AIHW, Oral Health and Dental Care in Australia, 2023). Cost should not be a barrier to children’s dental care — and for many families, it does not have to be. The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) provides up to $1,095 in dental benefits over two years for eligible children, covering the most common preventive and restorative treatments.

At Townsville Dental Clinic, we bulk-bill all eligible CDBS patients, meaning your child pays nothing out of pocket for covered services. This guide explains everything you need to know about the program in 2026: eligibility, covered services, how to check your balance, and how to get the most value from the benefit.

What Is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?

The CDBS is an Australian Government dental program introduced in January 2014 under the Dental Benefits Act 2008. It replaced the former Medicare Teen Dental Plan and expanded coverage to children from birth to age 17.

Key facts:

• Benefit amount: up to $1,095 per eligible child
• Benefit period: consecutive two calendar years (e.g., 2025–2026 or 2026–2027)
• Age range: 0 to 17 years (the child must turn the relevant age at some point during the calendar year)
• Funding source: Medicare (not private health insurance)
• Provider: any dentist, dental specialist, or dental practitioner who has been approved to provide services under the CDBS

The benefit cap accrues from the first calendar year in which your child becomes eligible and covers a rolling two-year period. Unused benefits do not carry over beyond the two-year cycle.

CDBS Eligibility: Who Qualifies?

Your child is eligible for the CDBS if both of the following conditions are met:

1. Age: The child is aged 0 to 17 years at any point during the calendar year.
2. Means test: The child or their family receives one of the following payments for at least one day in the calendar year:
   • Family Tax Benefit Part A
   • Youth Allowance
   • ABSTUDY
   • Disability Support Pension
   • Parenting Payment
   • Special Benefit
   • Carer Payment (where the child is a carer)

Family Tax Benefit Part A is the most common qualifying payment. According to the Department of Social Services, approximately 1.5 million Australian families receive FTB Part A, making a significant proportion of Australian children potentially eligible.

How to Check Eligibility

Medicare sends a letter to eligible families at the start of each calendar year confirming eligibility. If you did not receive a letter but believe you qualify, check through one of the methods above — letters can sometimes be delayed or sent to an outdated address.

What Services Does the CDBS Cover?

The CDBS covers a broad range of basic dental services. These are categorised below.

Covered Services

Services NOT Covered

• Orthodontic treatment (braces, aligners)
• Cosmetic procedures (veneers, whitening)
• Dental treatment performed in a hospital
• General anaesthesia or sedation fees
• Prosthodontic treatment (dentures, bridges)
• Dental implants (these are for adults only)

How Much Does Each Service Cost Under the CDBS?

When a dental practice bulk-bills the CDBS, the government pays the dentist directly according to the CDBS fee schedule. The patient pays nothing. The fees are set by the Department of Health and are not the same as the Australian Dental Association’s recommended fees.

Fees are approximate and based on the 2025–2026 CDBS fee schedule. Actual fees vary by item number.

A typical preventive visit — examination, two bitewing X-rays, scale and clean, and fluoride — totals approximately $160 to $210 against the CDBS balance, leaving substantial remaining benefit for the two-year period.

How to Maximise Your Child’s CDBS Benefits

Many families leave hundreds of dollars in CDBS benefits unused. Here is how to ensure you get full value from the program.

1. Book Regular Six-Monthly Checkups

Two preventive visits per year will use approximately $320 to $420 of the $1,095 cap annually, leaving budget for any fillings or other treatments that may be needed. Regular visits also catch problems early when they are cheaper and simpler to treat. See our guide on how often you should visit the dentist for evidence-based recommendations.

2. Get Fissure Sealants at the Right Time

Fissure sealants are one of the most effective preventive treatments available, reducing decay in sealed teeth by up to 80 per cent (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2017). The ideal timing is:

• Age 6–7: when the first permanent molars erupt
• Age 11–13: when the second permanent molars erupt

Sealing four first molars costs approximately $120 to $192 under the CDBS — a small fraction of the cap that can prevent fillings costing much more.

3. Check Your Balance Before Booking

Verify your child’s remaining balance before their appointment so you know exactly how much cover is available. If the balance is low, you can prioritise the most important services within the remaining amount.

4. Use CDBS Before Private Insurance

If your child has both CDBS eligibility and private health insurance, use the CDBS first. Bulk-billed CDBS services have zero gap payment, while private insurance typically requires a co-payment. Save your private insurance benefits for services not covered by the CDBS.

5. Do Not Wait Until the Cap Period Ends

CDBS benefits do not accumulate or carry over. If your child has $600 remaining and the two-year period ends in December, those benefits are lost. Schedule appointments well in advance to use the full entitlement.

Common Mistakes Parents Make with the CDBS

Not Knowing Their Child Is Eligible

Many families who receive Family Tax Benefit Part A do not realise their children qualify. According to the Department of Health, CDBS utilisation rates remain below 40 per cent of eligible children nationally. If you receive FTB Part A, your children almost certainly qualify — check today.

Assuming It Only Covers Older Children

The CDBS covers children from birth to age 17. While babies and toddlers may not need extensive dental work, the Australian Dental Association recommends a first dental visit by age one or within six months of the first tooth erupting. Early visits establish a dental home and allow for assessment of teething, oral hygiene habits, and developmental issues. Learn more about children’s dentistry at Townsville Dental Clinic.

Going to a Non-Bulk-Billing Practice

Not all dental practices bulk-bill CDBS. Some charge the full private fee and leave you to claim the CDBS amount back through Medicare, resulting in a gap payment. At Townsville Dental Clinic, we bulk-bill CDBS directly — your child pays nothing for covered services.

Not Tracking the Balance

Without checking the balance, you may arrive at an appointment only to discover the cap has been reached. This leads to unexpected out-of-pocket costs or deferred treatment. Always verify the remaining balance before booking.

What Happens When the CDBS Cap Is Reached?

Once the $1,095 benefit is exhausted within the two-year period, any additional dental treatment is charged at the standard private fee. Your options include:

• Private health insurance: If you have extras cover, use it to offset the cost. Most funds rebate $40 to $60 per examination and $80 to $140 per scale and clean.
• Payment plans: Townsville Dental Clinic offers flexible payment arrangements for families.
• Prioritise treatment: Your dentist can help prioritise the most urgent treatments within the remaining CDBS balance and schedule less urgent work for the next benefit period.

For a detailed breakdown of dental costs without insurance, see our dental cleaning cost guide.

CDBS vs Private Health Insurance for Children

For most eligible families, the CDBS provides better value for basic children’s dental care than private insurance alone. However, if your child is likely to need orthodontic treatment, a private extras policy with orthodontic cover may be a worthwhile addition.

Bulk Billing at Townsville Dental Clinic

Townsville Dental Clinic is a registered CDBS provider and bulk-bills all eligible children. Here is what to expect:

1. Booking: Call us or book online. We will check your child’s CDBS eligibility and balance at the time of booking.
2. Appointment: Your child receives their dental care as normal. There is no difference in the quality of care between CDBS and privately billed patients.
3. Payment: We bill Medicare directly. You sign a Medicare assignment form, and the benefit is deducted from your child’s CDBS balance. You pay nothing.
4. Receipt: You receive an itemised statement showing the services provided and the amount claimed against the CDBS.

We also provide comprehensive dental checkups for the whole family, so you can book your own appointment at the same time as your child’s visit.

Start Using Your Child’s CDBS Benefits Today

If your family receives Family Tax Benefit Part A, your children are very likely eligible for up to $1,095 in free dental care over two years. Do not leave these benefits unused — regular preventive dental visits are one of the most effective ways to protect your child’s oral health and avoid costly treatments later.

Families looking into custom mouthguards for their children’s sports can also discuss this at their next CDBS appointment.

Ready to book? Contact Townsville Dental Clinic to schedule your child’s next dental appointment. We will verify CDBS eligibility, check the remaining balance, and ensure your child receives the care they need at no out-of-pocket cost.