Dental benefits for kids
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule covers a number of basic dental services.
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is a program that provides eligible children with benefits for basic dental services. The program covers a broad range of services and is an excellent resource when it comes to maintaining your children’s oral health. Read on to find out more about the program, what it covers, and how we can help…
What is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is a dental benefits program available for eligible children between the ages of two and 17 years old. The program provides up to $1013 in benefits for basic dental services, including examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals, extractions and partial dentures. It is important to note that the program does not cover orthodontic or cosmetic dental work.
Who is eligible?
A child is eligible for benefits if they are eligible for Medicare; aged between two and 17 years old at any point in the calendar year; and receive a relevant Australian government payment, such as Family Tax Benefit Part A at any point in the calendar year.
If your child is eligible, you will be sent a notification of eligibility electronically or by post. Routine checks are done throughout the year in order to determine newly eligible children, and most children will be notified of their eligibility at the beginning of the year and then on a fortnightly basis after that.
How does the benefit cap work?
The dental benefits that are available to eligible patients are capped over two consecutive calendar years. The two-year period begins from the calendar year in which the patient first receives dental services. If necessary, a patient can use their entire benefit cap in one year. If, however, they don’t use their benefit cap in the first year, the balance can be used in the following year provided the child is still eligible for the program.
What services are covered?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule includes benefits for a number of basic dental services. It is important to note that benefits can only be claimed for dental services that are provided out-of-hospital. There are also certain limits on individual services, the details of which can be discussed with your dentist. For example, only one metallic or adhesive restoration can be claimed per tooth per day, and IV sedation can only be claimed once in a twelve-month period.
Can private health insurance be used for the services?
If you have private health insurance that covers dental services, you may not claim a benefit from both your insurer and the Child Dental Benefits Schedule for the same dental service. It is also not possible to use your private insurance to top-up the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. You can, however, use your private health insurance to cover services that are not provided under the program. These services will then be billed separately.
How can we help?
At Mornington Peninsula Dental Clinic, we provide Child Dental Benefits Schedule services to eligible children between the ages of two and 17 years old. We cater to all children and love to help keep young smiles in good condition from an early age. Our children’s dental care is provided in a comfortable environment that is suited for the whole family.
Our children’s dental services include check-ups; x-ray; teeth cleaning; fluoride treatments; fissure sealants; oral health education; ortho ascent; growth monitoring; and sports mouthguards. We generally encourage our patients to bring their children in for their first dental appointment when their teeth first appear or by the time they turn one. This helps them to feel comfortable with dental visits and often helps to avoid fear and anxiety regarding dentists.
If you would like to find out more about our children’s dentistry services, please have a look here.
If you have a question regarding the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, or you would like to come in and see us please get in touch here or give us a call on (03) 5975 5944. We look forward to welcoming you and your children to our practice and helping to maintain your beautiful and healthy smiles.