On 31st August 2016, the Australian Government announced its intention to close the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) from 1 January 2017.

The closure of this program is subject to the passage of legislation. Once the legislation has been agreed to by Parliament, confirmation of the program’s closure will be made available here.

The CDBS provides individual benefits for a range of services including examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals and extractions. Benefits are not available for orthodontic or cosmetic dental work and cannot be paid for any services provided in a hospital.

The total benefit entitlement is capped at $1,000 per child over a two calendar year period.

Eligible children will need to receive dental treatment before 1 January 2017 if they wish to access benefits under the CDBS before its intended closure. If the closure is agreed to, dental benefits will not be paid under the CDBS for any services provided from 1 January 2017. We strongly advise any parents who intend to utilise this scheme book their children in as soon as possible to allow time for necessary treatment to be completed by year end.