Half the parents who walk into our reception with a CDBS letter look slightly apologetic about it. They should not. CDBS is a Medicare-backed scheme designed to make sure kids do not skip dental care because of cost, and at Warragul Dental Care, we bulk bill the full eligible amount. So for routine treatment, you and your kid walk in and out without paying a thing.
For the past forty years, we have been looking after kids’ teeth in Gippsland, from first-tooth visits at 12 months old all the way through to braces at fifteen. CDBS just makes that journey a lot easier on the family budget.
What Is CDBS and How Does It Work?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is a Medicare-administered programme that helps cover the cost of basic dental services for eligible children aged 0 to 17. If your child is covered, the government pays a capped amount over a 2-year period directly to the dentist. At WDC, we bulk bill the full eligible CDBS amount, so for routine work covered by the scheme, you walk in and out without paying a thing.
You do not need to apply. If your family is eligible, Services Australia will send you a letter confirming your child’s coverage and the cap amount. For the current dollar figure, check the Services Australia website, since the amount is indexed regularly.
Is Your Child Eligible?
Eligibility depends on three things, and your child needs all three.
First, aged between 0 and 17 years. Second, eligible for Medicare. Third, receiving certain government benefits, most commonly Family Tax Benefit Part A.
If you are not sure, the easiest way to check is to log into your myGov account and look for any CDBS letter in your Medicare correspondence. We cannot confirm eligibility for you (only Services Australia can do that), but our front desk will gladly explain what we can offer once your child is confirmed.
What CDBS Actually Covers
CDBS covers most of the routine dental care a kid actually needs. Examinations and check-ups. X-rays where clinically necessary. Professional cleans. Fluoride treatments. Fillings. Extractions. Root canal work on baby teeth where needed.
The scheme does not cover orthodontics (braces or Invisalign) or cosmetic treatment, but for the day-to-day care that keeps kids’ teeth healthy, the scheme covers a lot.
What to Expect on Your Kid’s First Visit
Every child’s first visit is free, whether they are CDBS-eligible or not. We do this because we have learned over forty years that a good first visit sets up a lifetime of stress-free trips to the dentist.
Here is what happens. You arrive, your child gets to play in the kid’s corner. We give them a quick tour so the chair, the lights, and the equipment feel familiar before anyone goes anywhere near their mouth. The dentist checks teeth (or just counts them, depending on age), Dogtor Bruce or Dogtor Dave drops by if your child likes dogs, and they leave with a treasure box pick.
For most kids, that is the appointment. No drama, no tools waved about, no tears. From there, CDBS-covered visits are bulk billed and your child is set up for healthy teeth for life.
A Few Tips for a Smooth First Visit
A bit of prep at home goes a long way. Here are the small things parents tell us actually help.
Bring your child along with you when you come in for your own check-up if you can. Let them see the chair, the lights, the team, and Dogtor Bruce if he is on duty that day. Familiarity beats surprise every time.
Avoid using dental-trip language as a punishment. “You will have to go to the dentist if you do not brush” plants the wrong seed. Frame the visit as a normal part of looking after teeth, like getting a haircut.
Schedule the appointment for a time when your child is at their best. Mornings tend to work well for younger kids, after-school slots for older ones who would rather not pull out of school early.
And bring your CDBS letter if you have it, so we can confirm everything on the day without paperwork hold-ups.
Why Kids Actually Like Coming to WDC
At WDC, kid-friendly is more than a tagline. Here is what that actually means in practice.
- Dogtor Bruce and Dogtor Dave, our therapy dogs, are around for nervous kids who would rather snuggle a labrador than think about teeth.
- A kid’s corner with toys to make the wait less long.
- A treasure box for after the visit (this is genuinely the most important thing for any child under ten).
- A private bathroom for easy nappy changes if you have a smaller one in tow.
- A team who loves kids, and who can adjust the language, pace and tone for whatever your child needs that day.
For older kids who need braces, we also do all the orthodontic work in-house with Invisalign or traditional braces, so there are no extra clinics to drive to.
Ready to Book Your Kid’s First Visit?
If you have been hunting for a bulk billing kids dentist in Warragul, you have found one. Book your child’s free first visit online, bring along your CDBS letter if you have one, and let us start a friendship with the dentist that lasts your kid a lifetime.
