This federally funded government dental scheme provides basic dental care for 2-17 year old’s who receive Family Tax Benefit A or other relevant Australian Government payments.

You may think that it is a waste of time for a 2-year-old to be taken to the dentist, but this visit is crucial for the future.

At 2 years of age, Dr Kathleen can assess whether there are good preventive measures in places such as morning and nighttime tooth brushing with fluoridated toothpaste, that your little one is eating regular meals and not snacking, and that their teeth are erupting as expected.

Bringing your toddler to the dentist is the best time to visit Yarra Valley Dental and get to know the building and the staff. As they grow up, this familiarity with the clinic and dentist ensure that dental care becomes a positive experience right from the beginning.

Dental trauma can occur unexpectedly and cause great distress. When your child has previously visited Yarra Valley Dental before for a general check-up, the whole experience becomes much more relaxed and manageable.

At Yarra Valley Dental, all dentistry treatments are Bulk Billed. However, we do require that you pay the Medicare fee on the day of your appointment and then claim back your entitlement through the Medicare App. Children’s dental treatment is bulk-billed through Medicare.

Children eligible for the CDBS pay $0 with no out of pocket costs.

At the start of every visit, we check your eligibility for the Child Dental Benefits Scheme and the balance remaining. This is to ensure that all treatment is fully covered with no out of pocket expense to you.

There is also NO wait list to access the Child Dental Benefits Scheme. Your child can have the next available appointment. Click here to book an appointment now.

What dental treatments are available under the Child Dental Benefits Scheme?

Dental check-ups and cleaning teeth

It is vital that children have a checkup at 2 years which is why the Child Dental Benefits Schedule begins at this age. The reason it starts at 2 years is that this is the time when children’s teeth first erupt into the mouth.

Fissure sealants and Fillings

Fissure sealants are placed on the chewing surfaces of the permanent molar teeth and are used to protect the teeth from decay. Sealants fill in the natural groove of the tooth with dental resin which is set using a UV light. Dental sealants do not require the tooth to be cut and hence no needle or drill is required. They are natural and tooth friendly.

Dental X-rays

This included dental radiographs (x rays) which are used to diagnose decay between the molar teeth at the back. The dose used is very low and the benefit far exceeds the pain and trauma that can come from an undiagnosed dental abscess.

Did you know that a dentist cannot see decay affecting the sides of the teeth without dental x rays?

Dental decay starts where the teeth meet especially where there is crowding, too much sugar is being consumed and the teeth are not being regularly flossed.

Extractions

Unfortunately, teeth that are grossly decayed sometimes need to be extracted. This treatment is covered under the CDBS with subsequent extractions performed on the same day, at a reduced cost.

The tooth is well anesthetized before extraction and checks are made beforehand to ensure the young patient is comfortable and ready.

Sometimes extractions are performed under General Anesthesia. When this service is required, it cannot be billed under the Child Dental Benefit Scheme.

Root canals

When a tooth has been decayed into the centre or greatly traumatized, a root canal is required. This requires removing all the soft inside part of the tooth, cleaning it out and filling it with rubber or other suitable material.

Generally, only adult teeth undergo a root canal, but occasionally baby teeth do too if there is no adult successor.

* Child Dental Benefits are not available for orthodontic or cosmetic dental work and will not be paid for any services provided in a hospital operating theatre.

Payment for Treatment Under the CDBS

At Yarra Valley Dental all treatment under the scheme is charged at the price set by Medicare. That means that one 100% of what is paid on the day can be claimed back into your nominated bank account by Medicare.

It is easier to claim for services provided by downloading the Medicare app on your mobile device. The Medicare App is linked to my Gov.

The app will lead you through the steps to claim, which involves taking a photo of the services provided and adding in the details of treatment and fees paid.

If you do not have the Medicare app on your phone – it is recommended that you download this ahead of your visit so that you can get your refund processed directly after the appointment.

Some dental clinics undertake the administrative tasks for you. We have elected not to take on this task being a small practice but in kind, we only charge the amount set by Medicare so that you are not out of pocket.

So, in effect, we make a reduced profit on dental treatments but ask you to undertake the administrative tasks that we would otherwise have to do.

And sure, there will be practices that do both – conduct the admin for you and bulk bill but do they:

• take the time with you and your child to make the dental visit relaxed fun and engaging?
• conducting a thorough and extensive examination of all your child’s needs?
• provide comprehensive advice on prevention?
• provide a hygiene pack?
• have 23+ years experience as a clinician?
• Create a warm and inviting space so that your children actually enjoy their dentist visits?

Every financial year Medicare under-takes an audit of who is still eligible for the CDBS and who is not. Although you may not be eligible this is, you may be next year and vice versa.  

If you want to know whether you are eligible and what funds remain available to you can call us, and we can check for you.

Alternatively, you can go onto the MyGov website and check for yourself!

Use it Or Lose It

As with any government assistance, the uptake is monitored and if the scheme is not utilised, it may be withdrawn.

In the past, the scheme was reduced from $1000 for each child over a two-year period to $700!

One of the biggest obstacles to uptake is parental lack of awareness of the scheme, eligibility and knowing that you can visit your friendly local dentist at Yarra Valley Dental instead of having to wait for a place at a community health centre!

So, don’t leave it too late, take advantage of the Child Dental Benefits Scheme now. Make an appointment for your children to have a checkup with Dr Kathleen de Castella at Yarra Valley Dental.

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