Child Dental Benefits Scheme

Since January 2014, the previous “Medicare Teen Dental Plan” has been replaced by the new Federal Government dental scheme, the “Child Dental Benefits Schedule”. The scheme is designed to assist around 3.4 million children between the ages of 2 and 17. This scheme allocates $1056 towards any eligible child’s dental treatment over 2 calendar years for most dental services.

How can we can help your Child’s Dental Hygiene?

As a quality provider of General Dental services, the team at Dental One can arrange for a consultation to discuss the services available for your children to ensure they have the best oral hygiene.

At the time of the appointment, we’ll discuss your child’s treatment and any associated costs with you before providing the services. After this has been discussed, you will need to sign a consent form.

We will arrange to bulk bill you on the day for any services performed under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. This means no out of pocket for services performed under the scheme up to the available limit which is set as $1056 per eligible child over 2 calendar years.

Eligibility

Eligible families, teenagers and approved care organisations will receive a letter to confirm eligibility.

A child’s eligibility is assessed at the beginning of each year and lasts the whole calendar year. A child is eligible if they are aged 2–17 years for at least 1 day of the calendar year, are eligible for Medicare and are either part of a family receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A or one of the following Australian Government payments:

• Youth Allowance
• ABSTUDY
• Disability Support Pension
• Parenting Payment
• Special Benefit
• Carer Payment
• Double Orphan Pension
• Veteran’s Children Education Scheme, if the child is 16 or over
• Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme, if the child is 16 or over

Eligibility is determined each calendar year.

Benefits

In 2014, benefits for basic dental services are capped at $1,056 per child over 2 consecutive calendar years.

If you do not use all of your $1,056 benefit in the first year of eligibility, you can use it in the second year if you are still eligible. Any remaining balance will not be carried forward at the end of the second year.

Benefits will cover a range of services including examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals and extractions.

Benefits are not available for orthodontic or cosmetic dental work and cannot be paid for any services provided in a hospital.

Child Dental Benefits Schedule services will not count towards the Medicare Safety Net or the Extended Medicare Safety Net thresholds.