Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) at Appin Dental Surgery
Your child could be eligible for up to $1,158 in free dental care through the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), and Appin Dental Surgery bulk bills every eligible service.
We are a CDBS dental provider right here on Appin Road, serving families across Appin, Wilton, Douglas Park, Picton, and the wider Wollondilly region. If your child qualifies, their check-ups, cleans, fillings, fluoride treatments, and more are covered by Medicare with zero out-of-pocket costs.
What is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is a federal government program funded through Medicare. It gives eligible children aged 0 to 17 access to basic dental services at no cost to you, if you visit a bulk billing dentist like us.
Here's how it works:
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Eligible children receive up to $1,158 in dental benefits over two consecutive calendar years (2026-2027 cap, indexed on 1 January each year).
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The two-year period starts the calendar year your child first receives a CDBS dental service.
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The program is administered under the Dental Benefits Act 2008 and the Dental Benefit Rules 2026.
At Appin Dental Surgery, we bulk bill Medicare directly for all CDBS services, so there is nothing to pay at the time of your child's appointment.
Important: The CDBS does not cover orthodontic treatment (braces or aligners), cosmetic procedures (whitening, veneers), or any dental treatment performed in a hospital. Services must be provided in a private or public dental setting.
Want to know if your child is eligible? Call our Appin clinic and we will check for you.
Is Your Child Eligible for the CDBS?
Services Australia assesses CDBS eligibility automatically at the beginning of each calendar year. You don't need to apply. Your child qualifies if they meet all three of these conditions:
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Aged 0 to 17 for at least one day during the calendar year
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Eligible for Medicare
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Part of a family receiving a qualifying government payment, such as:
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Family Tax Benefit Part A
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Parenting Payment
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Double Orphan Pension
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Youth Allowance
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ABSTUDY
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Disability Support Pension (for teenagers 16+)
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Carer Payment
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Special Benefit
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Veterans' Children Education Scheme (if receiving certain supplements)
If your child is eligible, Services Australia will send a notification by post or through your myGov account.
How to Check Eligibility: Accessing CDBS in Wilton
You can confirm your child's eligibility and check how much of their $1,158 benefit cap remains through any of these methods:
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MyGov: Log in, go to Medicare, select "History and statements," then "Child Dental Benefits Schedule"
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Medicare phone line: Call 132 150
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Ask us: Call Appin Dental Surgery on (02) 9068 1369 and our team will check for you while you're on the phone
We recommend checking the balance before every visit, especially if your child has already received some CDBS services this calendar year.
Covered Services and Benefits
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule covers a wide range of preventive and basic dental treatments. Here's a clear breakdown:
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The total benefit cap of $1,158 (2026-2027) covers two consecutive calendar years. Any amount your child doesn't use in year one rolls into year two, as long as they remain eligible.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Child's Two -Year CDBS Benefit
Your child's CDBS benefit of $1,158 covers two consecutive calendar years, starting from the year they first receive a CDBS dental service. If they don't use the full amount in year one, the leftover balance rolls into year two, as long as they're still eligible.
However, any unused funds expire at the end of that two-year window. They don't carry over into a new cycle. Around two-thirds of eligible Australian families never claim their CDBS entitlements at all, which means thousands of dollars in free dental care goes unclaimed every year.
The smartest approach
Book regular six-monthly check-ups and cleans. This uses a small portion of the benefit each visit, catches problems early (before they get expensive), and keeps your child's teeth in good shape without rushing to use everything at the last minute.
Example: Two check-ups, two cleans, fluoride treatments, and a set of X-rays per year typically costs well under half the $1,158 cap, leaving plenty of room for fillings or sealants if anything comes up.
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How to Use the CDBS at Appin Dental Surgery
Getting your child's dental care bulk billed through the CDBS at Appin Dental Surgery takes three simple steps:
Tell Us When You Book
When you call or book online, mention that you would like to use the CDBS. We will prepare everything so your visit goes smoothly.
Bring Your Medicare Card
On the day, bring your child's Medicare card. Our team will verify CDBS eligibility and check the remaining balance right at reception, so you know exactly what's covered before we start.
Sign the CDBS Consent Form
Before any treatment begins, we'll explain the proposed services and costs, then ask you to sign a CDBS consent form. This is a government requirement for all CDBS services.
No Bills, No Stress
We bulk bill Medicare directly for every eligible service. You won't pay anything at the time of the appointment. If your child needs a service that falls outside the CDBS (like orthodontics), we'll explain this clearly before proceeding, so there are never surprises.
If your child's benefit cap is close to running out, we will let you know upfront and discuss options with you.
Why Wollondilly Families Choose Us for Children's Dental
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QIP Accredited - We are the only Quality Innovation Performance (QIP) accredited dental practice in the Wollondilly region. This means our systems, safety protocols, and patient care standards are independently verified and reviewed.
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30+ Year Legacy - Appin Dental Surgery carries forward over 30 years of dental care experience established through our sister clinic, Bradbury Dental Surgery. Your family's dental health is backed by decades of real-world clinical expertise.
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Dr Shelly, 19+ Years Experience - Dr Gurinder Matharu (Shelly) leads our clinical team with more than 19 years of hands-on experience across QLD and NSW. She's AHPRA registered, uses only TGA-approved materials, and follows NHMRC infection control guidelines.
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Rated 5.0 on Google - We currently hold a perfect 5.0-star rating from 95+ Google reviews. Parents consistently praise our gentle, child-friendly approach and stress-free environment.
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Local and Convenient - Located at 69 Appin Road, Appin NSW 2560, we're just minutes from Wilton, Douglas Park, Picton, Menangle, and Tahmoor. Families across Wollondilly and the Macarthur region (Camden, Campbelltown, Ambarvale) trust us with their children's dental care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Up to $1,158 per eligible child over two consecutive calendar years. At Appin Dental Surgery, all CDBS services are bulk billed with nothing to pay.
Children aged 0 to 17 who are eligible for Medicare and part of a family receiving a qualifying government payment like Family Tax Benefit Part A.
Yes. Fillings, check-ups, X-rays, cleans, fluoride, fissure sealants, root canals, extractions, and partial dentures are all covered.
Orthodontics (braces, Invisalign), cosmetic treatments (whitening, veneers), and any dental work done in a hospital or under general anaesthesia.
No. Services Australia checks eligibility automatically each year and sends a letter or myGov notification if your child qualifies.
After the two-year period ends, a new $1,158 cap starts if your child remains eligible. Unused funds don't carry over beyond the two years.
No. You can't claim both for the same service. Most families use CDBS first since it's fully bulk billed with zero gap.
Yes. We bulk bill all eligible CDBS services directly to Medicare. We're at 69 Appin Road, Appin, serving families across Wollondilly and Macarthur.
Your child's Medicare card. We'll check eligibility and remaining balance at reception before any treatment starts.
Yes. Nitrous oxide (happy gas) is covered once per 12-month period under the CDBS.
