This is a quick-reference guide to CDBS eligibility and covered services for 2026. If you are looking for a comprehensive guide including how to use the CDBS at Ivy Dental, booking process, and tips for making the most of the benefit, see our full CDBS parent's guide.
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) provides eligible children aged 0 to 17 with up to $1,158 in dental benefits over a two-calendar-year period. It covers basic preventive and restorative dental care.
Ivy Dental bulk-bills CDBS-covered items at our Everton Park and Nundah locations, meaning $0 out of pocket while the planned items are covered by the remaining Medicare balance.
What CDBS usually covers
The CDBS covers dental services that are clinically necessary for children. This generally includes:
- Examinations and assessments
- X-rays
- Professional cleaning (scale and clean)
- Fissure sealing
- Fillings
- Root canal treatment on baby and permanent teeth
- Extractions
These are the core preventive and restorative services most children need during regular dental care. For standard check-up costs outside the CDBS, see our pricing page.
Services outside the CDBS
The CDBS is for basic dental services. It does not cover orthodontic, cosmetic, or hospital-based dental treatment. If your child needs a service outside the CDBS, or the remaining balance will not cover the full plan, we explain this before treatment proceeds.
How eligibility works
CDBS eligibility is determined by Services Australia, not by the dental practice. To be eligible, a child must:
- Be aged 0 to 17 at any point during the calendar year
- Be eligible for Medicare
- Be part of a family receiving an eligible Australian Government payment (such as Family Tax Benefit Part A) for at least one day in the calendar year
Services Australia sends a letter to eligible families at the start of each calendar year confirming eligibility and the remaining benefit balance. You can also check eligibility through your Medicare online account via myGov or by calling Services Australia.
Why the cap amount can change
The CDBS cap is indexed periodically by the Australian Government. This means the total benefit amount may increase over time to keep pace with costs. The current cap should be verified against the Services Australia website, as the figure published here reflects the most recent confirmed amount at the time of writing.
The two-year period is based on calendar years, not the date of first use. Any unused balance from the first year carries over to the second year of the cycle, but does not carry beyond the two-year period.
How CDBS eligibility is checked
You can confirm your child's eligibility in three ways:
- Log into your Medicare online account via myGov
- Call Services Australia on 132 011
- Ask our reception team when you call to book. We can check eligibility on the spot.
Services Australia sends an eligibility letter to qualifying families at the start of each calendar year. The letter confirms the remaining benefit balance for the current two-year period.
How Ivy handles CDBS appointments
When you book a CDBS appointment at Ivy, we verify eligibility and remaining balance before treatment begins. If your child is eligible and the required services fall within the remaining cap, there is $0 out of pocket. We bulk bill directly through Medicare.
If your child needs services that are not covered by the CDBS, or if the remaining balance is insufficient to cover the full treatment plan, we will discuss this with you before any work is done.
We recommend using the CDBS benefit for regular preventive care: check-ups, cleans, and fissure sealing. These services fall under general dentistry and are available at Everton Park and Nundah. Preventive visits are clinically more effective and make better use of the available benefit. Waiting until a problem develops means more of the benefit goes toward treatment rather than prevention.
Tips for maximising the CDBS benefit
- Book regular check-ups every six months to catch issues early
- Request fissure sealants for permanent molars as they come through. This is one of the most effective preventive treatments for children.
- Track your remaining balance through Medicare online so you can plan ahead
- Do not leave the benefit unused. Any remaining balance at the end of the two-year period does not carry over.
What happens when the cap runs out
If your child's $1,158 benefit has been fully used within the two-year period, we always tell you before any additional treatment proceeds. Payment plans may be available to approved applicants for larger treatments.
Next step
Call us to confirm your child's eligibility and book their next appointment. If you are unsure whether they qualify, we can check during the booking process or you can verify through your myGov Medicare account.
Book a CDBS appointment at Ivy Dental | Call (07) 3266 7120
For a comprehensive guide including booking tips and how to maximise the benefit, see our CDBS parent's guide. For more on children's dental care at Ivy, see our kids dentistry page.
