Does Medicare Cover Dental in Australia?

One of the most common questions Australians ask about healthcare costs is whether Medicare covers dental. The short answer is no — not for adults. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that approximately 30 per cent of adults delay or avoid dental treatment due to cost (AIHW, Oral Health and Dental Care in Australia, 2023). Understanding what Medicare does and does not cover is the first step toward planning and budgeting for your dental care.

At Townsville Dental Clinic, we help patients navigate their coverage options, including the CDBS for children, DVA entitlements for veterans, and payment plans for those without insurance or government support.

Why Medicare Excludes Most Dental Care

When Medicare was established under the Health Insurance Act 1973, dental services were deliberately excluded from the schedule. Unlike visits to a GP or specialist, dental consultations, examinations, and treatments do not attract a Medicare rebate. This applies to all routine and elective dental procedures including:

Check-ups and examinations
Dental X-rays
Scale and clean (prophylaxis)
Fillings, crowns, and bridges
Extractions
Root canal therapy
Dentures and dental implants
Orthodontic treatment

The sole exception for adults is dental surgery performed as part of a medically necessary public hospital admission — for example, removal of impacted wisdom teeth under general anaesthesia or jaw reconstruction following trauma. Even then, the dental component is covered as a hospital service, not as a standalone Medicare item.

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)

The most significant Medicare-adjacent dental program is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, which provides up to $1,095 per eligible child over a consecutive two-year period.

Eligibility requires:

The child is aged 0 to 17 during the calendar year
The family receives Family Tax Benefit Part A, or the child receives Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY, Disability Support Pension, or another qualifying payment

Covered services include:

Examinations and consultations
X-rays
Scale and clean
Fissure sealants
Fillings
Root canals on baby teeth
Extractions

Townsville Dental Clinic bulk-bills all eligible CDBS patients, meaning there is no out-of-pocket cost for covered services. You can check your child’s eligibility through your myGov account or by calling Medicare on 132 011. Read our full CDBS guide for details.

DVA Dental Entitlements for Veterans

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs provides dental coverage for eligible veterans, war widows, and widowers:

DVA Gold Card holders receive comprehensive dental coverage including preventive care, restorative treatment, dentures, implants (with prior approval), and emergency services.
DVA White Card holders may access dental treatment for conditions accepted as service-related.

DVA dental treatment must be provided by a registered DVA dental provider. Townsville Dental Clinic is a DVA-approved provider — contact us to arrange your appointment.

Public Dental Services in Queensland

If you hold a valid Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, you may be eligible for subsidised dental care through the Queensland Government Oral Health Program. Services are delivered through public dental clinics, including the Townsville Hospital Oral Health Service.

However, waiting times for non-emergency treatment can range from 6 to 24 months depending on demand and the category of care. Emergency dental (relief of pain) is prioritised, but restorative and prosthodontic work may involve a lengthy wait.

If you are on a waiting list and need treatment sooner, Townsville Dental Clinic offers competitive private fees and flexible payment plans to help bridge the gap.

Your Options If Medicare Does Not Cover You

For the majority of adult Australians, dental care is funded through one or more of the following: