THIS government benefit could cover $1,132 of your grandchild’s dental bills—here’s how

Millions of Australian families have a hidden dental benefit waiting for them—yet most don’t even know it exists.

It’s been around for more than a decade, quietly offering free dental care to children from low-income families.

Many grandparents could be giving their grandchildren a gift they never had themselves—without spending a cent.

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) provides up to $1,132 over two years for children and adolescents aged 0-17 from families receiving eligible government payments.

Despite its availability since 2014, uptake has remained stubbornly low, with only around 600,000 of 2.4 million eligible children accessing the scheme.

Confusion around accessing the program is a major barrier, according to the Australian Dental Association, but research suggests deeper issues persist.

Social determinants such as transport, work schedules, and health literacy continue to impede families from claiming free dental care.

The CDBS isn’t just about check-ups.

Families can use the full $1,132 for a range of services including examinations, X-rays, cleanings, fissure sealing, fillings, root canal treatments, extractions, and emergency care.

Teeth whitening, braces, and cosmetic procedures are not covered.

The program operates on a ‘use it or lose it’ basis, resetting every two years for families who maintain eligibility.

If a family used part of their benefit one year, the remainder could be used the following year, provided they continued receiving eligible government payments.

To qualify, children must be under 18 and their family must receive payments such as Family Tax Benefit Part A, Parenting Payment, or other eligible Centrelink payments.

Families regain a fresh two-year benefit period if they regain eligibility after a break.

Awareness alone is not enough.

Families need help finding participating dentists, booking appointments, and managing logistical challenges such as time off work or transport.

Dental caries remain the most prevalent disease burden for Australian children aged 5-14, making CDBS an important tool for preventing lifelong oral health problems.

For grandparents, guiding eligible family members to access the benefit could be one of the most valuable gifts they provide.

The two-year cycle of the program allows families to plan strategically, beginning with a comprehensive examination and clean to catch issues early and keep treatment costs lower.

Even families who have used the benefit before should check for a new two-year eligibility period, as the program resets for families who regain eligibility.

For a program running more than a decade, continued low uptake demonstrates that availability alone is insufficient.

Families require guidance to navigate the system, particularly those facing social and economic challenges that make them eligible in the first place.

Accessing free dental care through government programs can sometimes feel complicated, even when the benefits are available and well-intentioned.

Challenges like long wait times and limited coverage highlight why ongoing policy discussions around public dental services are so important.

For a closer look at how the government is responding to these issues, consider this related story.

Have you or your family accessed the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, and how did it help your children?