It’s really important for children to receive proper dental care from an early age. Not only will regular visits to the dentist help prevent dental problems, but it will also help to make sure your child develops good oral health habits.
That’s why The Dentists @ Belmore are involved in the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. This program provides free access to a range of dental services (up to the value of $1,026) for eligible kids aged up to 17 years of age.
Read on to find out more about the program.
Who is eligible for free dental care?
There is a strict set of criteria set by the Federal Government regarding who is eligible for the CDBS.
To access the free dental program, your child must be:
- Eligible for Medicate
- Aged 0-17 years old (for at least one day in the calendar year)
- Receiving an eligible payment from Centrelink at least once a year, or have a parent receiving an eligible payment
The friendly reception staff at The Dentists @ Belmore can check your child’s eligibility for the CDBS over the phone (by calling 02 9758 1248), or if you prefer, you can check this via your MyGov account.
What dental services are included?
The program covers a range of general and emergency dental services up to a cost of $1,052 over two calendar years.
These services include:
- Routine dental check-ups
- X-rays
- Dental cleans
- Fillings
- Fissure seals
- Extractions
- Root canals
The CDBS does not cover any orthodontic work or cosmetic dental procedures.
How do I access free dental care for my kids?
If you have confirmed that your child is eligible for CDBS, then the next step is to make an appointment with your preferred dentist. Some dentists will ask you to pay upfront and then claim your benefit from Medicare, while others will bulk bill.
At The Dentists @ Belmore, we choose to bulk-bill on the spot through Medicare, allowing you to access free dental services up to your child’s benefit allowance.
Before beginning any work, our dentist will take time to inform you of the costs of any treatment so that you can spend your allowance effectively, and there aren’t any surprises at the end of your appointment.
We love kids at The Dentists @ Belmore
We love nothing more than seeing the kids we look after growing strong, healthy teeth, and develop life-long good dental habits. Our team of gentle dentists is well-suited to managing your children’s unique dental needs in a caring and fun way.
To make an appointment for your child, you can book online or call us on 02 9758 1248. Our dental practice is located at Level 1, 400 Burwood Road in Belmore, with entry via Collins Street.