Dental bills can add up quickly when you have children. Checkups, cleans and the odd filling all come with a cost. Many Australian families do not realise they may already have help available. The Australian Government runs a scheme that pays for basic dental care for eligible children and teenagers.
That scheme is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, often shortened to CDBS. It sits within Medicare and is managed by Services Australia. This guide explains who can use it, what it pays for and what it leaves out. It also covers a few practical points that help families get the most from it.