How CDBS Dental Benefits Help Your practices and Community
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS dental) is a Medicare-funded program that supports basic dental care for eligible children. For dental practices, participating in CDBS is more than just meeting public health needs. It is a valuable opportunity to grow your patient base and deliver meaningful community service.
By offering bulk billed CDBS dental services, your practices can support local families, attract new patients, and maintain a consistent Medicare-backed revenue stream. This guide will help you understand how to implement and optimise CDBS in your practice to benefit both your patients and your business.
Already offering CDBS services? Learn how to improve your outreach with our guide on How CDBS Eligibility Checks Help Dental Practices Reach More Families.
Why Partner with Dental Stars for CDBS Implementation?
Running CDBS effectively requires more than just checking eligibility. Dental Stars supports practices across Australia with:
✅ End-to-End Admin Support: From eligibility checks to claims submission, we handle the admin so your team can focus on patient care.
✅ Expert Virtual Assistants: Trained in Australian dental systems, our remote team can manage CDBS billing, reporting and communication tasks efficiently.
✅ Faster Workflows: We help you build smart systems to verify eligibility, track usage, and streamline compliance.
✅ Stronger Patient Growth: With our help, you can better market your bulk billed services to reach more families in your area.
Now let’s break down exactly how CDBS works and how your practice can benefit.
Common CDBS Questions
| Question | Answer |
| What is CDBS dental? | A Medicare scheme offering up to $1,095 in free dental care over two years for eligible children. |
| Who is eligible? | Children aged 0 to 17 in families receiving Centrelink payments such as Family Tax Benefit Part A. |
| Is it bulk billed? | Yes. Participating practices must bulk bill the services so families pay nothing out of pocket. |
| What treatments are included? | Exams, X-rays, cleans, fillings, extractions and root canals. |
| How do practices check eligibility? | Use HPOS or integrated practice management software to confirm eligibility on the day of the visit. |
What Is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is an Australian Government initiative that gives children access to essential dental services without cost barriers. Eligible families receive up to $1,095 over two calendar years for services that focus on prevention, early intervention and basic dental care.
CDBS-funded services include:
- Dental check-ups
- Scale and clean
- Fluoride application
- X-rays
- Fillings
- Extractions
- Root canal therapy
Treatments must be medically necessary and provided in a private dental setting.
Why Should Practices Offer CDBS Services?
Providing CDBS dental services is good for patients, but it also offers practical benefits for your practice.
1. Attract More Families to Your practices
Many parents are actively looking for bulk billed dental care for their children. Promoting CDBS services can help you bring in families who may become long-term patients beyond the benefits period.
See our Dental Marketing Support services to attract more eligible families
Also read: How CDBS Eligibility Checks Help Dental Practices Reach More Families
2. Build Community Trust
practices that support public health programs like CDBS often become trusted names in their local community. This builds a positive reputation among schools, daycares and neighbourhood organisations.
3. Create Reliable Revenue with Medicare Billing
Unlike private health insurance claims or delayed payments, Medicare reimburses CDBS claims directly into your business account, often within a few working days.
4. Support a Stronger Recurring Patient Base
When children have positive experiences through CDBS appointments, they are more likely to return for regular check-ups even after the benefits are used. Their parents and siblings may also become patients, which increases overall practice retention and revenue.
Who Is Eligible for CDBS?
A child qualifies for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule if they meet all the following:
- Aged between 0 and 17 for at least one day of the calendar year
- Eligible for Medicare
- Part of a family receiving Centrelink payments such as:
- Family Tax Benefit Part A
- Parenting Payment
- Carer Payment
Refer to the Department of Health website for complete eligibility criteria.
How to Check Eligibility:
- Use the HPOS system (Health Professional Online Services)
- Check via your practice management software with CDBS integration
- Ask the parent if they received a letter from Medicare confirming eligibility
Always verify eligibility on the day of service. It can change throughout the year based on family benefit status.
What Treatments Does CDBS Cover?
Included Services:
- Examinations
- Cleans and fluoride treatments
- Diagnostic X-rays
- Fissure sealing
- Fillings
- Tooth extractions
- Root canal therapy
Excluded Services:
- Orthodontic work (e.g. braces or aligners)
- Cosmetic treatments (e.g. whitening, veneers)
- Hospital-based general anaesthesia procedures
Refer to the ADA Schedule of Dental Services for billing codes and treatment classifications.
How to Bill CDBS Successfully in Your Practice
Follow these essential steps to ensure compliant and efficient Medicare billing.
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Confirm the child’s eligibility using HPOS or your software system on the day of the appointment.
Step 2: Obtain Informed Consent
Have a signed consent form from the parent or guardian before providing any treatment.
Step 3: Deliver the Treatment
Only provide services that are covered and necessary, ensuring they are itemised correctly.
Step 4: Submit the Claim
Lodge claims electronically via your dental software or manually using HPOS.
Streamline your workflow with Dental Stars Admin Support
Step 5: Receive Payment
Expect payment from Medicare within two to five business days, depending on the claim system used.
Addressing practices Concerns About CDBS
| Concern | Recommended Response |
| CDBS takes time to manage | Automate eligibility checks and assign a dedicated staff member to oversee billing |
| Not all staff know how to bill correctly | Provide regular team training or use third-party billing support |
| Families are unaware of their eligibility | Use SMS, emails and social media to raise awareness in your community |
| Risk of exceeding benefit limits | Use tracking within your software to manage available funds and discuss treatment plans early |
How to Market CDBS Services for Growth
Online Promotion:
- Build a dedicated CDBS landing page targeting keywords like “Medicare kids dental” and “bulk billed children’s dentist”
- Run Google Ads and Facebook Ads targeting parents in your area
- Share educational social media content on eligibility and services
- Include CDBS in your email newsletters
In-practices Marketing:
- Add posters and brochures to your reception area
- Train front desk staff to ask families about eligibility
- Promote CDBS in local schools and daycare centres
- Include it in your welcome packs and new patient materials
Operational Tips for Streamlined CDBS Implementation
- Create a CDBS workflow checklist for your front desk team
- Use your software’s reporting tools to monitor usage and remaining balances
- Automate follow-ups for families close to using their full benefit
- Schedule treatments strategically to maximise the two-year cap
Pro Tip: Assign a CDBS coordinator or champion within your team to oversee eligibility checks, consent forms and claim accuracy.
Compliance and Record-Keeping for Medicare Audits
To stay compliant, ensure your practice:
- Keeps signed consent forms for at least two years
- Documents all practical notes linked to CDBS claims
- Uses accurate item numbers in accordance with ADA coding standards
- Does not charge any out-of-pocket fees for CDBS services
- Is prepared for audits with clear treatment records and billing logs
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can we charge a gap if costs go beyond the CDBS cap?
No. All CDBS services must be fully bulk billed with no additional fees charged to patients.
2. Can patients use CDBS at multiple practices?
Yes. The benefit cap is per child, not per practice. Make sure to check how much has already been used.
3. What if the child needs more treatment than the benefit allows?
You can offer a private quote once the CDBS cap is reached and discuss affordable payment plans.
4. Is it legal to advertise CDBS services?
Yes. You can advertise as long as you comply with AHPRA guidelines and do not mislead patients or promise outcomes.
5. What tools make CDBS easier to manage?
Dental4Windows, Praktika, Core Practice and other Australian dental systems offer CDBS claim support, item tracking and automated eligibility checks.
Final Thoughts
CDBS offers more than just Medicare funding it’s a tool for growing your patient base, supporting your community and building lasting dental relationships. With the right systems and support, your practice can manage claims confidently and deliver consistent care.
Get Expert Help from Dental Stars
If your team needs help making CDBS easier and more efficient, Dental Stars can:
Train your staff on CDBS processes
Provide virtual assistants to manage admin work
Help you attract more eligible families
Optimise your systems for billing, tracking and consent
Contact us today to streamline your CDBS services and grow your practice.