Medicare Child Dental Benefits Schedule
Current two-year benefit caps for eligible children aged 0–17
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) can cover part or all of the cost of specified basic dental services, within your child’s available benefit balance.
- Your child must be eligible for Medicare, be aged 0–17 for at least one day of the calendar year, and meet the qualifying government-payment rules. Services Australia determines eligibility; a Medicare card alone does not establish entitlement.
- The cap is up to $1,158 per eligible child for a two-calendar-year period beginning in 2026, or $1,132 if the period began in 2025. Previous claims reduce the amount remaining. Annual indexation does not increase a period that has already started.
- Eligible basic services may include examinations, X-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canal treatment and extractions, subject to item and timing restrictions.
- Cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics and dental services provided in hospital are excluded.
- Check eligibility and your remaining balance through your Medicare online account linked to myGov, or call Services Australia on 132 011.
- Tell our team you wish to use CDBS when booking. Before treatment, confirm what the services cost, how much can be claimed, whether they will be bulk billed and any gap or private fees. If a service is bulk billed, you do not pay for that service.
Services Australia: current caps and using CDBS · Eligibility · Covered services.
Enhance Dental warmly welcomes children and cares for their dental health. Visit our Children’s Dentistry page for first visits, family appointments and more information.
Call (03) 9533 8488 to make an appointment and let us know if you wish to use CDBS.
Government information checked 3 November 2026. Confirm the child’s actual eligibility and balance before treatment.