How Child Dental Benefits Can Work For Your Kid’s Dental Health
Dentistry on Solent is pleased to offer your family child dental benefits in accordance with the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. It is important to take care of your baby’s teeth as soon as they start to emerge, and the government makes provision for this under the schedule by offering dental allowances to more than 3 million local children.
What Is The Child Dental Benefits Schedule?
The scheme is offered by Medicare and makes provision for children between the ages of 2 and 17 to receive specific dental services up to a maximum of $1000 over a two-year period.
What Dental Services Are Covered By The CDBS?
The schedule aims at offering preventive dentistry services to keep your child’s teeth healthy and to prevent the development of tooth decay. The services available to eligible children include:
- General check ups and examinations
- Professional cleaning
- X-rays
- Tooth extractions
- Fillings
- Repairs to cracked teeth
- Root canal treatments
These services are available to a maximum of $1000 per child.
What Services Are Excluded By The CDBS?
The schedule does not include dental services that include
- Orthodontics and teeth straightening
- Cosmetic or elective procedures
- In-hospital or surgical treatments
Who Can Claim Under The CDBS?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is available to children on Medicare between the ages of 2 and 17, who also receive one of the following:
- Disability Support Pension
- Carer Payment
- Parenting Payment
- Family Tax Benefit Part A
- Special benefit
- Assistance under the Veteran’s Children Education Scheme
- Assistance under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act and Training Scheme
It is important to note that not all dentists accept the CDBS and you should check this with your dentist before going ahead with any treatments.
Children who qualify for the CDBS can have their treatment performed at a public dental clinic and not be expected to pay for any out of pocket costs. If you opt to have your treatments at a private dentist you may be expected to pay for the treatments upfront and claim the costs back from the fund afterwards. It is recommended that you check the cost of treatment beforehand and make sure that there will not be any additional expenses to cover.
What Are The Terms?
You should have funds available in your Medicare account to qualify.
You have a $1000 maximum allowance to be used over two years. Any balance remaining over the first year is carried into the second year.
If you have not used the benefit by the end of the second year, it falls away.
What Are The Benefits?
In addition to monitoring your child’s teeth and looking for early signs of cavities, your child will also receive regular feedback and information on good dental hygiene practices. Twice daily brushing and flossing is still the best way to manage tooth decay and regular contact with your dentist will ensure your child is keeping up with this.
The schedule makes it affordable for parents to manage their kids’ dental hygiene.
Call our practice today to find out more about kids dental benefits and how you can care for your family’s teeth.
