In the news
The Australian Dental Association (ADA) has applauded announcement by the Turnbull Government and its Health Minister, Greg Hunt, to reinstate the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) cap to $1,000.
The Australian Government has confirmed CDBS will continue in 2017! This is good news for many parents – the CDBS covers eligible children aged 2–17, particularly those who might have trouble affording dental care without the program.
If your children are eligible you should not let them miss out on the CDBS’s benefit for basic dental services. Oral health is critical to overall health, and developing good dental and oral health habits in your children is one way to ensure a healthy life in the future.
Dr. Sachdeva’s Dental Surgery offers dental treatments under this schedule. Some exclusions apply and eligibility is required. Feel free to contact us on (03) 9800 2338 to ask questions or make an appointment for your child.
The Good News
Going into 2017, it looked like the CDBS would be reduced to $700 over a two-year period, but on the 8th of February it was announced that the CDBS benefit cap entitlement under the CDBS would continue at $1,000. This means that all eligible children will continue to have access to a benefit cap of $1,000 over a two-year period.
Australian Dental Association president Dr. Hugo Sachs responded to the announcement:
“This is a terrific outcome. [The] announcement is an example of how the Senate, and the Australian Government have combined to support policy that has been proven to help these children access the care they need.”
Who is Eligible?
Children aged between two and seventeen years old can be assessed for eligibility. To be eligible, a child must qualify for Medicare, and they must be a part of a family who receives an applicable government payment, as listed below.
Eligibility is assessed at the beginning of each calendar year and is valid for the entire year. If you become eligible part way through a calendar year, you only get benefits under the CDBS from the date of Medicare eligibility.
Your children are eligible if the child’s parent, carer, or guardian receives:
- Family Tax Benefit Part A
- Parenting Payment, or
- Double Orphan Pension
- ABSTUDY
A child is eligible if they receive:
- Family Tax Benefit Part A
- Carer Payment
- Disability Support Pension
- Parenting Payment
- Special Benefit
- Youth Allowance
- Financial assistance under the Veterans’ Children Education Scheme (VCES) and can’t be included as a dependent child for the purposes of Family Tax Benefit because they are 16 years or older, or
- Financial assistance under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme (MRCAETS) and can’t be included as a dependent child for the purposes of Family Tax Benefit because they are 16 years or older.
You’ll get a letter to confirm the eligibility of your child for the CDBS if you are a parent or guardian of the child or on the list of approved care organisations. Older children who are receiving payments under their own name may also receive a letter.
To ensure that all eligible children can use their CDBS entitled benefits, make sure that your details are up to date with Medicare on 132 011 and Centrelink on 136 150.
What Services are Offered?
The CDBS covers a range of basic dental services:
- examinations
- clean, scale and polish
- fillings
- fissure sealing
- X-rays
- root canal treatment
- extractions
- emergencies
What are not covered are cosmetic, orthodontic, or services performed in a hospital.
Your Trusted Dentist in Wantirna South
If you are looking for a trusted and qualified dental practice in Wantirna South, please visit us at Dr. Sachdeva’s Dental Surgery. We offer a comprehensive range of dental services for you children and all the people in your life!
Dr. Sachdeva’s Dental Surgery is located on Stud Road, Wantirna South, and proudly serves the local community with a priority of delivering quality oral health in a professional, comfortable and convenient clinic setting.
Wantirna South dentist also serving local communities in Knox City, Boronia, Bayswater, Scoresby, Rowville, Ferntree Gully, Vermont, Vermont South, Burwood, Burwood East, Ringwood, Ringwood East, and Wantirna.
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