Is my child eligible for CDBS? A 20-second check.
Answer three questions. Our team can confirm the details when you call.
Gentle children’s dentistry in Rockhampton
Children’s teeth need looking after from the moment they appear. Dilleen Dental has been caring for South Rockhampton families since 1995, and Dr Priyanka Rathi is especially experienced in caring for children and anxious patients. Our aim is simple: kids who feel relaxed at the dentist and grow up with healthy teeth.
We see children from their first tooth through to their teens, for check-ups, cleans, fluoride, fissure sealants, tooth-coloured fillings, sports mouthguards and practical advice on brushing, teething and diet.
Free dental care for eligible children: the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is an Australian Government program that covers basic dental care for eligible children aged 0 to 17. Dilleen Dental bulk bills eligible children under CDBS, which means no out-of-pocket cost to you for covered treatment.
Who is eligible
Your child can use CDBS in a calendar year when all of the following apply:
- They’re aged 0 to 17 for at least one day that calendar year
- They’re eligible for Medicare
- You or they receive an eligible Centrelink payment, such as Family Tax Benefit Part A, at least once that year
You don’t need to apply. Services Australia usually sends a letter when your child is eligible. If you’re not sure, call us with your child’s Medicare card handy and we’ll help you check.
What’s covered
Up to $1,158 per child over two consecutive calendar years (the cap is indexed each 1 January). Any amount not used in the first year can be used in the second, then it resets. Covered services include:
- Check-ups
- X-rays
- Cleaning
- Fissure sealants
- Fillings
- Root canal treatment
- Extractions
CDBS does not cover orthodontics, cosmetic treatment or any dental treatment in hospital.
To use CDBS at Dilleen Dental, let us know when you book and bring your child’s Medicare card. If any treatment falls outside the schedule, we’ll discuss the cost with you before going ahead.
Your child’s first visit
We recommend a first visit by age one, or within six months of the first tooth. Early visits catch problems before they hurt and help dental care feel like a normal, calm part of life.
- Meet the team
Your child sits in the chair (or on your lap), meets their dentist and gets a look at the tools. We go at their pace.
- A gentle look
We count teeth, check the gums and bite, and see how the jaw and adult teeth are developing.
- Practical advice for home
Brushing technique, fluoride toothpaste, bottles and sippy cups, snacks and drinks, dummies and thumb-sucking. Real answers for real routines.
Children’s dental services
- Check-ups and cleans, with fluoride to help strengthen enamel
- Fissure sealants on new adult molars to keep decay out of deep grooves
- Tooth-coloured fillings when decay does occur
- Digital X-rays when clinically required
- Custom sports mouthguards for football, hockey, martial arts and other contact sports
- Emergency care for knocked-out or broken teeth, the same day where possible. See emergency dentist
Tips for healthy kids’ teeth
- Brush twice a day with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste from 18 months. An adult should help until about age eight.
- Water and plain milk are the best drinks for a bottle or cup between meals.
- Keep sweet snacks to mealtimes. How often sugar is eaten matters more than how much.
- Start flossing as soon as two teeth touch.
- Wear a mouthguard for every training session, not just game day.
Common concerns by age
Babies and toddlers (0 to 3)
Teething, bottle and breastfeeding habits, dummies and thumb-sucking, and the first brushing routine. We check that teeth are coming through as expected and that there’s no early decay, which can start as soon as teeth appear if sweet drinks are given at night.
Pre-schoolers and primary (3 to 11)
Check-ups and cleans, fluoride, fissure sealants on the first adult molars (which arrive around age six), fillings when needed, and keeping an eye on how the adult teeth are coming through. Sports mouthguards start here.
Tweens and teens (12 to 17)
Sealants on the second adult molars, keeping an eye on wisdom teeth, and diet advice (sports drinks and energy drinks can do a lot of damage to teeth).
Fissure sealants explained
The chewing surfaces of back teeth have deep grooves that a toothbrush can’t fully reach. A fissure sealant is a thin protective coating placed into those grooves. It takes a few minutes per tooth, usually needs no drilling or numbing, and helps protect the teeth most likely to develop decay. Sealants are generally recommended on adult molars once they’ve fully come through, around ages six and twelve, and they’re covered under CDBS for eligible children.
Mouthguards for sport
A custom-fitted mouthguard, made from an impression or scan of your child’s teeth, fits closely, stays in place and is more comfortable than a generic guard. We make them for football, hockey, martial arts and other contact sports. Because children are still growing, mouthguards need replacing as their teeth change. More about sports mouthguards.