Medicare Bulk Billing – Child Dental Benefit Scheme
Comprehensive children’s dental treatment encompasses a range of preventive, restorative, and educational measures aimed at promoting optimal oral health from an early age. This approach involves not only addressing existing dental issues but also preventing future problems through regular check-ups, preventive care, and patient education.
- Preventive Care: This includes regular dental check-ups, cleanings, and fluoride treatments to maintain healthy teeth and gums and prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Dental sealants may also be applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from decay.
- Early Intervention: Prompt treatment of dental issues such as cavities, tooth decay, or misaligned teeth can prevent them from becoming more serious problems later on. This may include fillings, crowns, or other restorative treatments tailored to the child’s needs.
- Orthodontic Evaluation: Early evaluation of the child’s bite and tooth alignment can help identify any orthodontic issues that may require intervention. Early orthodontic treatment, if necessary, can help guide the growth of the jaw and teeth, reducing the need for more extensive orthodontic treatment later in life.
- Education: Teaching children proper oral hygiene habits, including brushing, flossing, and healthy dietary choices, is crucial for maintaining good oral health throughout their lives. Education sessions may also include discussions on the importance of regular dental check-ups and the effects of habits such as thumb sucking or pacifier use on dental development.
- Behaviour Management: Dentists may use various techniques to help children feel comfortable and relaxed during dental visits, such as positive reinforcement, distraction techniques, or sedation if necessary, to ensure a positive dental experience.
- Emergency Care: In the event of a dental emergency, such as a knocked-out tooth or severe toothache, children should receive prompt and appropriate dental care to prevent further damage and alleviate pain.
By providing comprehensive dental treatment tailored to the specific needs of children, dentists can help instil good oral health habits early on and lay the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Is my child eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Scheme (CDBS)?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is an Australian government initiative that provides eligible children with access to basic dental services. It aims to improve the oral health of children by providing financial assistance for essential dental care.
To be eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Scheme, a child must be:
- Aged between 2 and 17 years old for at least 1 day of the calendar year.
- Eligible for Medicare.
- Part of a family receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A or another relevant Australian Government payment.
Once a child meets these eligibility criteria, they are entitled to receive up to $1,095 in dental benefits over a two-calendar-year period. The benefits cover a range of dental services, including examinations, X-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canal treatment, and extractions.
Parents or guardians can check their child’s eligibility and remaining balance under the Child Dental Benefits Scheme by contacting the Department of Human Services.
The Child Dental Benefits Scheme helps ensure that all eligible children have access to essential dental services, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances, promoting better oral health outcomes from a young age.
How to book your child’s dental visit
To schedule an appointment with Newport Family Dentist, simply give us a call or use our convenient online booking system. Please provide your child’s Medicare Card details at the time of booking to assess eligibility and/or remaining balance.