Children's dental care under the CDBS
Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) — Bulk Billed Children's Dental in Hilton, Adelaide
Eligible children can access covered basic dental care under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule at Sleek Dental, subject to the child's available benefit balance and the schedule's rules.
Last reviewed: July 2026
CDBS at Sleek Dental
1. CDBS dental care for eligible children
If your child is eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, covered basic dental care can be bulk billed at Sleek Dental with no out-of-pocket cost, up to the child's available benefit balance. Sleek Dental is a registered CDBS provider in Hilton, Adelaide, and bulk bills eligible CDBS services in full.1, 2
The CDBS is an Australian Government benefit that helps eligible children and teenagers access clinically relevant basic dental care. A child may have access to up to $1,158 where 2026 is the first year of their two-year benefit period. The amount available depends on when the benefit period began, the child's remaining balance and the services covered by the schedule.2, 3
Covered care
2. What dental care can the CDBS cover?
The CDBS can cover a range of basic dental services for an eligible child. At Sleek Dental, the clinician first assesses the child's oral health and recommends care according to individual clinical need. Having an available benefit does not mean that every service is needed or covered.2
Depending on the assessment, CDBS rules and the child's available balance, covered services may include:
- a dental examination or check-up;
- dental X-rays when clinically relevant;
- professional cleaning;
- fissure sealing to help protect suitable teeth;
- fillings;
- root canal treatment;
- tooth extractions; and
- partial dentures.2, 4
Sleek Dental provides the range of basic services covered by the schedule within each practitioner's professional scope. Item limits, time restrictions, clinical relevance, consent requirements and the child's available benefit balance still apply. We explain the proposed care and billing arrangement before treatment.
Eligibility
4. Who is eligible for the CDBS?
Services Australia determines eligibility. A child must meet all three of the following criteria for the relevant calendar year:1, 5
| Age | The child is aged 0 to 17 for at least one day in the calendar year. |
|---|---|
| Medicare | The child is eligible for Medicare. Medicare eligibility must also exist on the date of service. |
| Qualifying payment | The child receives an eligible Australian Government payment at least once during the year, or a qualifying parent, carer, guardian or approved care organisation receives one. |
Families do not need to apply or register separately for the CDBS. Services Australia assesses eligibility and may send an eligibility letter. Eligibility is assessed for each calendar year, so being eligible in a previous year does not automatically establish eligibility in the current year.2, 5
Before you book
5. How to check eligibility and the remaining balance
Open Medicare online
If Medicare is linked to your myGov account, sign in and open your Medicare online account.
View the CDBS balance
Go to History and statements, then select Child Dental Benefits Schedule to view the available balance.6
For general Medicare enquiries, families can call the Medicare general enquiries line. The published service hours are 7:00 am to 10:00 pm local time Monday to Friday, and 7:00 am to 7:00 pm local time Saturday and Sunday.7
When booking with Sleek Dental, tell our reception team that you intend to use the CDBS. We will confirm the proposed treatment, likely charge and billing arrangement before care.2, 6
Benefit period
6. How the two-year benefit period works
The CDBS benefit period covers two consecutive calendar years. It starts in the calendar year when the child first receives an eligible CDBS service. The available cap can be used in the first year where clinically relevant care, item rules and the child's balance allow.2, 3
Any unused balance can carry into the second year only if the child remains eligible. A balance left at the end of the second year cannot be used for services in a later year. After that period has ended, a new benefit period can begin only if the child is eligible in a following year.2
The cap is indexed on 1 January each year, but a higher indexed cap applies only when the child's first eligible service starts a new benefit period in that year. This means a child whose benefit period began in 2025 may have up to the 2025 cap of $1,132, while a child whose benefit period begins in 2026 may have up to $1,158.3, 6
Each eligible child has an individual benefit cap. Unused benefits cannot be shared between siblings or other family members.2
A remaining balance should not determine whether treatment is needed. Recommendations are based on the child's clinical needs, and we explain the proposed care before treatment.
Flexible appointments
7. Appointments that suit family schedules
CDBS appointments are available across Sleek Dental's opening hours: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, Monday to Saturday. Families can ask about after-school and Saturday appointments, subject to current availability.
Every practitioner working at Sleek Dental holds a Medicare provider number and can provide CDBS services within their professional scope. Families are not restricted to one CDBS day or one nominated practitioner.
The clinic is at 74 Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Hilton, with families also visiting from nearby Brooklyn Park, Underdale, Thebarton, West Richmond and Adelaide's inner-western suburbs. Families from Netley, Keswick, Ashford, Kurralta Park, Plympton and Glandore can ask about the same after-school and Saturday appointment times.
A calm first step
8. What happens at a child's first visit?
Before the appointment, it can help to give your child a simple, honest explanation: they are visiting the dental team to have their teeth and mouth checked, and the clinician will explain what is happening. Avoid promising that nothing will feel unfamiliar; instead, invite your child to ask questions.
At the visit, the clinician will ask about the child's health, dental history and any current concerns. They will use age-appropriate explanations, examine the teeth and gums, and discuss whether any X-rays, cleaning or other care is clinically relevant. No particular treatment is assumed before assessment.
We allow time for questions and adjust the pace where clinically appropriate. If your child feels nervous, tell us when you book. Depending on the assessment, consent, available appointment time and the child's needs, recommended treatment may occur at that visit or be planned for a later appointment.
Parent and carer FAQs
9. CDBS questions from parents and carers
Is the CDBS the same as free dental for kids?
No. “Free dental for kids” is a common search phrase, but the CDBS is not universal free dental care. It is a Medicare-funded benefit for eligible children and covers specified basic services within the child's available balance and the schedule's item rules. Sleek Dental bulk bills eligible CDBS services in full when the child has sufficient available benefits, so there is no out-of-pocket cost for those covered services. If care is not covered or cannot be funded from the available balance, we will explain any separate private-billing option and fee before treatment. We will not charge a gap for a service submitted to Medicare as bulk billed.2, 4
How do I know if my child is eligible?
Services Australia determines eligibility. The child must be aged 0 to 17 for at least one day in the calendar year, be eligible for Medicare, and receive an eligible Australian Government payment or have a qualifying parent, carer, guardian or approved care organisation receive one. You can check through the Medicare online account linked to myGov, or call Medicare general enquiries. Eligibility is assessed for each calendar year.1, 5, 6
How much is the benefit and how long does it last?
The benefit is up to $1,158 where 2026 is the first year of the child's two-year benefit period. A period that began in 2025 has a cap of up to $1,132. The period covers two consecutive calendar years from the year of the child's first eligible service. Unused benefits may carry into the second year if the child remains eligible, but any balance left after the second year cannot be used later.2, 3, 6
Do I have to pay anything upfront?
For an eligible CDBS service that is covered by the child's sufficient available balance, Sleek Dental bulk bills Medicare directly, so the family does not pay upfront for that service. We check the available benefits and explain the proposed care and billing arrangement before treatment. If care is not covered or cannot be funded from the available balance, we will explain any separate private-billing option and fee before you consent. We will not charge a gap for a service submitted to Medicare as bulk billed.2, 6
What if my child needs treatment beyond the benefit cap?
CDBS benefits cannot be used beyond the child's available balance. If the assessment identifies clinically relevant care that the available benefits cannot fund, we will explain which care is recommended, what the CDBS can cover, and any separate private-billing option and fee before you decide how to proceed. We will not charge a gap for a service submitted to Medicare as bulk billed. Care is recommended according to clinical need, not for the purpose of using a benefit balance.2
Can my children share one benefit cap?
No. Each eligible child has an individual CDBS entitlement. A remaining balance cannot be transferred to a sibling or another family member.2
Does the CDBS cover braces?
Can I book after school or on a Saturday?
Yes. CDBS appointments are available during Sleek Dental's opening hours of 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, Monday to Saturday. Ask about an after-school or Saturday time when booking; specific times remain subject to appointment availability.
Do I need to bring anything to the appointment?
Tell us when booking that you intend to use the CDBS and have the child's Medicare details available. Bring any information the clinic requests, along with relevant medical, medication or dental information. Our reception team can confirm what is needed and check eligibility and the available balance before care.
What if my child is nervous about the dentist?
Tell us when you book and let the clinician know what has helped your child in other healthcare settings. We use calm, age-appropriate explanations, allow questions and adjust the pace where clinically appropriate. We cannot promise how a child will feel, but we can plan the visit with their needs in mind. You can also read our information about gentle dental care for nervous patients.
Where is Sleek Dental and is there parking?
Sleek Dental is at 74 Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Hilton SA 5033. Use the directions link for the current route. For current parking and accessible-entry guidance, call 0434 393 877 before the appointment and our team will confirm the most suitable arrival option.
Ready to ask about eligibility?
10. Book a CDBS appointment in Hilton
If you believe your child may be eligible, book online or call Sleek Dental on 0434 393 877. Tell us that you intend to use the Child Dental Benefits Schedule so our reception team can check the child's eligibility and available balance before care.
If you are unsure whether your child is eligible or which appointment to choose, call the clinic before booking. We can explain the next step, but Services Australia makes the eligibility decision.
Official CDBS information
For current eligibility, benefit and coverage rules, refer to Services Australia and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
- Services Australia — Child Dental Benefits Schedule
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing — CDBS Guide
- Services Australia — CDBS features for health professionals
- Services Australia — What's covered by CDBS
- Services Australia — Who can get CDBS
- Services Australia — How to use CDBS
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing — Medicare general enquiries