In an ambitious move to improve children’s oral health nationwide, the Australian Government has announced a major expansion of the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) for 2025. Starting September 1, 2025, eligible families will receive up to $1,052 per child over two years, effectively doubling the existing benefit cap. This increase aims to close the treatment gap for children from low-income families and help cover essential services like check-ups, fillings, root canals, and even X-rays at no out-of-pocket cost when using bulk-billing dental providers.
Who Can Claim This Boosted Dental Benefit?
Eligibility for the expanded scheme remains largely the same, but more families are expected to qualify thanks to adjusted income thresholds. If you receive Family Tax Benefit Part A, Parenting Payment, or Youth Allowance, your child likely qualifies. The child must be between 2 and 17 years old at any time during the year and be enrolled in Medicare. The government estimates over 3.4 million children will benefit from this increase many of whom previously delayed treatment due to affordability concerns.
Why Is This Expansion Happening Now?
The boost to the dental scheme comes amid concerning data, reports show a sharp rise in untreated dental issues among children, especially in regional and rural areas. With inflation driving up health service costs and families cutting back on routine care, the government is using the CDBS expansion as a preventive health strategy. Officials argue that dental neglect can lead to serious health consequences later in life and this increase is a practical way to intervene early, reduce hospital admissions, and lower long-term healthcare spending.
What Services Does the Scheme Cover Now?
With the increased cap, the list of fully covered treatments now includes basic check-ups, scaling and cleaning, fluoride treatments, fillings, fissure sealing, extractions, root canals, and X-rays. The higher limit also means children can receive multiple treatments within a year without hitting the maximum threshold too quickly. For families using bulk-billing dentists, there are no gap fees at all, making it truly cost-free. It’s also worth noting that no referral is needed to visit a dental clinic under the CDBS just book directly with your provider.
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If your child has used the scheme before, there’s no need to reapply. The new benefit limit will be automatically applied from September 1. You’ll get a notification from Medicare, or you can check your remaining balance through your MyGov account. If you haven’t yet used the scheme, call your local dental clinic and ask if they offer CDBS services they can check eligibility using your child’s Medicare number. The government also recommends that parents book appointments early, as demand is expected to surge once the new limits kick in.
Could This Be the End of School Dental Worries?
The 2025 expansion of the Child Dental Benefits Scheme is being hailed as a smart investment in public health and economic savings. It offers relief for parents worried about expensive treatments and ensures that financial pressure is no longer a barrier to healthy smiles. With over $700 million committed to the initiative, the government is making it clear: oral health is no longer optional it’s essential.