CDBS eligibility checks allow Australian dental practices to quickly identify children who qualify for Medicare-funded dental care. This enables practices to provide bulk-billed services, reduce financial barriers for families, and attract more patients through proactive outreach.
Why Work With Dental Stars for CDBS Eligibility Checks?
If you’re looking to make CDBS checks faster and more reliable, Dental Stars can manage the entire workflow for you. Our experienced virtual dental assistants help practices across Australia by:
- Running CDBS checks via HPOS in real time
- Automating the patient intake process
- Reducing front-desk workload and errors
- Monitoring balances and improving recall follow-ups
By outsourcing to Dental Stars, your practice can save hours of admin time each week while improving patient access and satisfaction. Learn more about how we help.
What Are CDBS Eligibility Checks and Why Do They Matter?
For many Australian families, cost is the biggest barrier to accessing dental care for their children. Fortunately, the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) offers financial support for eligible families through Medicare. But to truly take advantage of this program, dental practices must conduct CDBS eligibility checks, a simple yet powerful tool that connects practices with families who may not know they qualify for subsidised care.
In this blog, we explore how CDBS eligibility checks work, the benefits for dental practices, and how your practices can use them to reach more families in need. We also look at ways to improve operational efficiency and patient trust.
What Is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is a Medicare program that provides up to $1,095 over two calendar years for basic dental services for eligible children aged 0 to 17 years.
Covered services include:
- Examinations
- X-rays
- Cleaning
- Fillings
- Fissure sealing
- Extractions
- Root canals
These services must be bulk billed and performed by eligible dental practitioners.
Learn more about eligibility criteria from Services Australia.
What Are CDBS Eligibility Checks?
CDBS eligibility checks are quick verifications that allow dental practices to confirm whether a child qualifies for CDBS-funded care.
How to Perform a CDBS Eligibility Check
- Use HPOS (Health Professional Online Services) via PRODA
- Check in real-time using the patient’s:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Medicare number
Families can also check their own eligibility by calling Medicare on 132 011 or logging into myGov.
Tip: Automate your CDBS eligibility checks during the booking process or at the initial consultation to streamline patient onboarding.
Why CDBS Eligibility Checks Are a Game-Changer for Dental Practices
1. Attract More Families, Especially Those Who Need Care Most
Many parents are unaware their child qualifies for CDBS. By proactively offering eligibility checks, your practices can:
- Educate families about Medicare dental benefits
- Build trust by offering transparent, no-gap options
- Convert interest into appointments with less financial resistance
Example: A suburban practice in Brisbane added an online form for quick CDBS pre-checks and saw a 25% increase in new paediatric bookings within three months.
2. Reduce Appointment Cancellations and Boost Treatment Uptake
Cost concerns often lead to late cancellations or delays in treatment. When parents know upfront that services are bulk billed under CDBS:
- They’re more likely to follow through with treatment
- They may book comprehensive check-ups and preventive care rather than reactive visits
✅ Better attendance means improved patient outcomes and more consistent revenue.
3. Strengthen Community Relationships and Improve Your Reputation
Offering eligibility checks, especially during community events or through local schools, positions your practices as:
- A trusted, family-friendly provider
- A Medicare-savvy practice that’s easy to work with
- A valuable community health partner
Outreach idea: Run a “Free CDBS Check Day” with giveaways and oral health education to raise awareness.
Common Questions About CDBS Eligibility Checks
Who is eligible for CDBS?
To qualify, a child must:
- Be aged 0–17 years for at least one day of the calendar year
- Be eligible for Medicare
- Receive, or be part of a family receiving, an eligible Australian Government payment (e.g. Family Tax Benefit Part A)
Can you bulk bill all services under CDBS?
Only basic dental services are covered. Cosmetic or orthodontic treatments are not included. Practices must provide an informed financial consent form to parents before treatment begins.
How often should eligibility checks be done?
Each calendar year, eligibility may change depending on age and government payment status.
Is there a risk of breaching compliance?
No, provided you use HPOS and retain documentation. Make sure your Medicare provider number is linked to your practice location and staff are trained on CDBS billing rules.
Implementation Guide: How to Integrate CDBS Checks Into Your Practice
Step-by-Step Workflow
- During Booking
Ask parents if they have a Medicare card and receive government benefits. Offer to pre-check eligibility via phone or email. - Before the Appointment
Use HPOS to confirm CDBS status and record the remaining balance. - When the Patient Arrives
Provide the consent form and explain what’s covered. Reassure parents about bulk billing. - After Treatment
Bulk bill the service through Medicare and update patient records with the claim details.
Related Reading:
A Complete Guide to CDBS Dental Benefits for Your Practice
Looking for a full breakdown of how to maximise CDBS in your practices? This comprehensive guide walks you through eligibility rules, billing steps, consent forms, and how to stay compliant with Medicare while delivering high-value care to families.
The Business Benefits of CDBS Checks for Dental Practices
| Benefit | Description |
| Increased Patient Volume | Attract Medicare-eligible children through bulk billing and no-gap promotions |
| Revenue Stability | CDBS covers up to $1,095 per child over two years |
| Operational Efficiency | Streamlined admin with bulk billing workflows |
| Brand Trust | Build a family-first reputation in your community |
| Marketing Advantage | Promote your CDBS services across digital platforms |
Real-World Experience: Dental Stars’ Support for CDBS Workflows
At Dental Stars, we’ve helped dozens of practices across Australia implement smart CDBS workflows with the support of trained virtual assistants and front-desk tools.
Our team can:
- Run eligibility checks via HPOS
- Set up automated workflows
- Train staff on compliance and consent
- Monitor eligibility and CDBS usage
Testimonial:
“Dental Stars helped us automate our CDBS checks and reduce admin work by 40%. We’ve never had so many happy parents coming through our doors.”
— Lisa T., Practice Manager, Sydney
See how our virtual dental assistants services support admin workflows
FAQs: CDBS Eligibility Checks for Dental Practices
1. Can our reception staff perform CDBS checks?
Yes. As long as they are trained and have access to HPOS via PRODA, reception staff can perform checks in minutes.
2. What if a child has already used part of their CDBS cap?
HPOS will display the remaining balance. You can plan treatment to stay within the limit or discuss payment options if further care is needed.
3. Do we need consent to bill under CDBS?
Yes. The parent or guardian must sign a consent form before each new course of care.
4. Can we advertise CDBS services online?
Absolutely. Many practices see great results by promoting bulk-billed kids’ dental services on Facebook, Google, and their websites. Just ensure your messaging is accurate.
5. Is the program available to practices nationwide?
Yes. Any eligible dental provider in Australia can participate in the CDBS program, regardless of location or practice size.
Partner With Dental Stars to Maximise CDBS Success
CDBS eligibility checks are more than an admin task they are a gateway to better access for families and greater growth for your practice. But you don’t have to manage it all alone.
With Dental Stars, you get:
- Support from dental trained virtual assistants
- Accurate real-time eligibility checks
- Workflow automation
- Less admin, more bookings, and happier families
Talk to us today about building CDBS into your practice with confidence.