EK Dental Surgery Tips:
How Does the Child Dental Benefits Schedule Work?

According to a recent study, the dental health of Australian children is not what it might be.

The study revealed that 25% of Australian children, from first tooth until age 10, suffer from untreated tooth decay.

The survey, from the University of Adelaide, the first of its kind in 25 years, surveyed 24,000 children from ages 5 to 14.

Associate Professor Loc Do, the principal researcher on the project said, ” tooth decay affected a significant proportion of children.

Over 40 per cent of children aged 5 to 10 years had decay in their primary [baby] teeth. One-quarter of children in that same age group had never received treatment for their tooth decay.”

He concludes with a generalised statistic that outlines the severity of the problem, ” On average, Australian children aged 5 to 10 had 1.5 primary teeth with decay”.

The news was no better for children from ages 9-14. 33% of them had permanent teeth with decay, and one-seventh of them had not received treatment for decay in their permanent teeth.

Despite the fact that Australia targets children with its National Oral Health Plan (which is intended to ensure that every Australian child sees a dentist), one in nine children have never visited a dentist’s office.

At EK Dental Surgery, we are concerned about the oral health of Australia’s children, particularly those in the Glen Waverly area.

And if your child, or a child you know, may be one of these dentally undertreated kids, we’re here to share the news that the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) might be able to help that child receive the dental care they need and deserve.

Child Dental Benefits Schedule

The Commonwealth Child Dental Benefits Schedule is a dental benefits program supporting eligible children from 2–17 years of age.

It provides benefits over two years, of $1,000, to eligible child for essential dental services. It covers more than 3 million children, making them eligible for dental care funded through Medicare.

The CDBS:

• Offers benefits to children aged two to 17 years.
• Focuses on treatment for basic dental issues including prevention and treatment, with cosmetic and orthodontic items excluded.
• Can be used in private or public systems. i
• Caps benefits at $1,000 per eligible child over a two year period.
• Benefits are available from the beginning of each two year period.
• Once the complete amount of funds is spent, access to another $1,000 benefits will not occur until the new cycle.

Who is Eligible?

To be eligible, you must be:

• Between 2 and seventeen years old for one day of the calendar year.
• Medicare-eligible
• Receiving one of the payments on the list below.

If the child’s parent, carer, or guardian receives:

• Family Tax Benefit Part A
• Parenting Payment, or
• Double Orphan Pension
• ABSTUDY

If the child receives:

• Family Tax Benefit Part A
• Carer Payment
• Disability Support Pension
• Parenting Payment
• Special Benefit
• Youth Allowance
• Financial assistance under the Veterans’ Children Education Scheme (under specific circumstances)
• Financial assistance under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme (under specific circumstances)

You’ll receive a letter confirming your child’s eligibility if you’re a:

• Parent
• Guardian
• Approved care organisation
• Older children getting payments under their name may also receive a letter.

At EK Dental Surgery, we know that lists of eligibility requirements can be difficult to navigate. If you have any questions about CDBS, please feel free to call us!

What is covered?

The CDBS covers a range of essential dental services:

• Dental emergencies
• Examinations
• Tooth fillings
• Fissure sealing
• X-rays
• Root canal treatment
• Tooth extractions

More extensive dental treatments are not covered by the CDBS, including orthodontic and cosmetic treatment, or treatments given in a hospital.

Children’s Dentistry at EK Dental Surgery

EK Dental Surgery offers children’s dentistry services and more, and all available in the convenience and comfort of our office.

Caring for the oral health of children is quite different from caring for the oral health of adults or the elderly, and at EK Dental Surgery, we can do it all!

This includes working with patients who might have special needs. Give us a call for children’s dentistry and family dentistry of all kinds.

Please call our Glen Waverley dental practice on (03) 9887 8787 to set up an appointment for your child and take advantage of your benefits under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.

More about children’s dentistry at EK Dental Surgery

Reasons to Smile at EK Dental Surgery!

EK Dental Surgery offers a wide variety of prophylactic, restorative, and cosmetic dental procedures for the very young, the aged, and everyone in between!

We are a team of dedicated dentists and staff working to provide the best care possible. At EK Dental Surgery, we can help you achieve tip-top dental health and a movie-star smile!

EK Dental Surgery is conveniently located on Springvale Road in Glen Waverley.

Child Dental Benefits Schedule

Bulk bill for Commonwealth Child Dental Benefit Scheme for up to $1,000.

To request an appointment with us, call us on (03) 9887 8787 or make an appointment online.

We are located at 230 Springvale Road in Glen Waverley.