Fees & payment
CDBS: free dental care for eligible children
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is a Medicare programme that covers basic dental care for eligible children aged 0 to 17. Dr Justin Lee is a long-standing registered CDBS provider at Westfield Belconnen.
The 2026 benefit
$1,158 per eligible child
Spread across two consecutive calendar years, for two-year periods beginning in 2026. If your child's period started in 2025, the earlier $1,132 cap applies. The amount is indexed by the Australian Government each 1 January.
Who is eligible
Services Australia assesses eligibility, not the practice. To qualify, a child must meet all three of these:
- 1
Aged 0 to 17
For at least one day of the calendar year in which treatment happens.
- 2
Eligible for Medicare
On the day the dental service is provided.
- 3
Receiving a qualifying payment
The child, or their family, receives a payment such as Family Tax Benefit Part A.
Not sure? Check through your Medicare online account via myGov, or call the practice on (02) 6251 5100 and reception can check your child's eligibility and remaining balance before the appointment.
What CDBS covers
- Examinations and check-ups
- X-rays
- Scale and clean
- Fissure sealants
- Fillings
- Root canal treatment
- Extractions
- Partial dentures
Some services have claiming restrictions or frequency limits set by Medicare.
What it doesn't cover
- Orthodontic treatment (braces, aligners)
- Cosmetic dental work
- Any dental treatment provided in hospital
If your child needs treatment outside CDBS, you'll get a clear quote before anything goes ahead.
How it works at the practice
- 1Book an appointment and mention you'd like to use your child's CDBS benefit.
- 2We confirm eligibility and check the remaining balance before treatment starts.
- 3Dr Justin examines your child and explains what's needed, in plain language.
- 4You'll be told upfront what CDBS covers and whether anything falls outside it.
- 5The claim is submitted to Medicare directly, so there's no paperwork for you.
Any unused balance is lost at the end of the two-year period, so it's worth booking a check-up rather than letting it expire.
CDBS questions
CDBS is administered by Services Australia. Benefit amounts and eligibility rules are set by the Australian Government and can change, so please confirm your own circumstances with Services Australia. See also Fees & Payment.