Child Dental Benefits Schedule services in Prospect: What’s covered at our clinic
Child Dental Benefits Schedule services in Prospect: What’s covered at our clinic
We know how important early dental care is for your child’s long-term gum and teeth health. It’s also incredibly vital for their ongoing confidence. At Prospective Smiles, we provide bulk-billed dental services under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) so that eligible families in Prospect and surrounding Adelaide suburbs can get high-quality care with little to no out-of-pocket costs.
Read on to find out exactly what the Child Dental Benefits Schedule encompasses, as well as how to check your child’s eligibility and how our team will support your child’s smile at every stage of their development.
What is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?
It’s a government-funded program that lets eligible children and teenagers enjoy essential dental services. Administered by Services Australia through Medicare, the CDBS provides up to $1,132 worth of dental care over a two-calendar-year period.
The schedule was created as a way to make dental care more accessible – and affordable – for families who would otherwise go without due to financial constraints. After all, every child deserves to have a healthy smile.
Who is eligible?
To qualify for CDBS, your child must:
Be aged between 0 and 17 years at any time in the calendar year;
Be eligible for Medicare; and
Receive (or have a parent, carer or guardian who receives) a relevant government payment, such as the Family Tax Benefit Part A.
CDBS eligibility is reassessed at the start of each calendar year. If your child becomes newly eligible, Services Australia will notify you via MyGov or mail. You don’t need to bring this letter to your appointment at our clinic, but feel free to do so if it gives you peace of mind.
What’s covered under CDBS?
The CDBS covers a huge range of clinically necessary dental services to prevent and treat oral health issues in children and teenagers. At our clinic, our CDBS-approved dentists provide most of these services, including:
Preventive care
Oral exams.
Cleaning (plaque and calculus removal).
X-rays.
Fissure sealing.
Fluoride treatments.
Restorative treatments
Fillings (adhesive or metallic restorations).
Tooth extractions (including surgical extractions).
Root canal therapy for primary or adult teeth.
Oral surgery and emergency care
Treatment for dental infections.
Abscess drainage.
Managing dental trauma (e.g. replantation or splinting).
These services are eligible up to the $1,132 benefit cap over two consecutive calendar years. If your child doesn’t use the full amount in the first year, the balance will carry over to the second – provided they are still eligible. However, things like orthodontic work, cosmetic dentistry and procedures in a hospital are not included under the CDBS.
How do I know how much is left?
You can contact Services Australia or speak to our friendly front-desk team. We’ll happily verify your child’s CDBS eligibility and what’s remaining in the benefit balance for you. This way, we can make sure we set up a treatment plan that works within your child’s benefit cap – so there are no surprises on the day.
We are all about clear communication and helping you make informed decisions. That’s why we explain everything involved in your child’s dental treatment – including what fees to expect and how we bill you – before starting any treatment.
Bulk billing vs private billing under CDBS
As a CDBS-approved dentist, Prospective Smiles bulk bills most services that are eligible under the program:
We accept the CDBS payment as full payment for the service; and
You won’t pay anything out of pocket, as long as there’s enough left in your child’s benefit cap.
In rare cases, where a particular service cost exceeds the benefit amount or falls outside the scope of the CDBS, we’ll always let you know in advance. You’ll get an informed financial consent form to review and sign before any privately billed treatment starts.
What happens when the benefit cap is reached?
Once your child’s benefit cap has been used up during the two-year period, no additional benefits are payable until a new period begins (if your child is still eligible).
As an example, let’s say your child has $100 remaining and receives a service worth $150. If bulk billed in this scenario, we can only claim the $100 and cannot charge you the difference. If privately billed, we can still provide the service but you’ll need to pay the $50 difference.
To avoid any surprises, we recommend checking the benefit balance before each visit – or let us handle it for you when you book.
Why early dental care matters
Tooth decay is unfortunately still one of the leading childhood diseases in Australia. When it’s not treated properly, it can cause your child to experience pain or infections, miss school days and even develop long-term issues with their adult teeth and self-confidence.
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is helping to break this cycle, especially for families on lower incomes. With it, children in Australia can get check-ups, early intervention and ongoing treatment without financial strain.
At our clinic, we believe that prevention is always better than cure. That’s why our CDBS appointments include:
Education on the right way to brush and floss.
Building trust in the dental chair.
Creating positive dental habits that last a lifetime.
Your child’s first visit with CDBS at Prospective Smiles
Here’s what you can expect when you first visit us at our friendly clinic:
Check eligibility and book: We’ll confirm your child’s CDBS eligibility and cap balance over the phone or in-person.
Friendly welcome: Our team sets a calm mood that helps kids feel safe and comfortable.
Full check-up: The first CDBS-covered exam usually includes a clean, fluoride treatment and X-rays (if required).
Education: We’ll explain what (if any) follow-up treatment is needed and whether it’s fully covered under the CDBS.
Bulk billing: You’ll sign a consent form confirming that you understand the treatment and billing process, and we’ll lodge the claim with Medicare on your behalf.
FAQs
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No. You can’t claim a benefit from both the CDBS and private health insurance for the same service. However, your private insurance can cover services not included under the CDBS (e.g. orthodontics and cosmetic work), which will be billed separately.
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As long as your child was eligible at any point during the calendar year and still has available benefits, they will stay covered until the end of that year.
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No. The benefit cap is per child and can’t be shared between siblings or other family members.
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Not at our clinic. We prioritise timely care – especially for children. Bookings are available throughout the week, including Saturdays.
Why choose Prospective Smiles?
We are a trusted CDBS-approved dentist in Prospect, Adelaide, led by a gentle, child-friendly approach from Dr Katherine da Silva and her team. You’ll get the full scope of general and preventive kids dental services, and the peace of mind that we’re highly experienced with CDBS processes – so we’ll handle all the paperwork for you.
It doesn’t matter if it’s your child’s very first visit or you’re returning for an annual check-up, we’re here to help make you and your family’s dental appointments as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
Book your child’s CDBS appointment today
Not sure if your child is eligible or how much they have left in their benefit cap? We can help. Reach out to our friendly team today and we’ll handle everything for you.
Visit us: 3/74 Prospect Road, Prospect SA
Call: (08) 8344 4745
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