Recently, I was chatting to an educator at a Child Care Centre.
We were talking about how expensive it is going to the dentist and taking children to the dentist. The educator wanted to take her 3 year old daughter to the dentist but said she couldn’t afford it. The educator didn’t know about the DENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM for all ACT children up to the age of 14 years.
It’s really important to take your child to the dentist but sometimes the cost stops people from making an appointment.
The Dental Service offered by the Dental Health Program include:
Check-ups
Cleaning
Fillings
Extractions
Preventive dental care
Emergency dental treatment
and all these services are provided by Oral Health Therapists and dentists who have been trained to provide dentistry for children.
Who can use the service?
Our dental services are available to:
all children under 5 who live in the ACT
all children between 5 and 14 years who live or attend school in the ACT
young people living or attending school in the ACT under the age of 18 who are covered by a current Centrelink Concession card.
Cost
Standard fees apply for our services:
Children aged 5 to 14 – $69.10 per child per “Course of Care”
Children under 5 years (who require treatment) – No fee
Children under the age of 18 years who are listed on a Health Care Card or Pension concession card – No fees for general treatment
Copayments apply for children for items such as space maintainers, splints and if eligible orthodontic services.
Child Dental Benefits Scheme
The Child Dental Benefits Scheme (CDBS) is a government initiative that provides access to benefits for basic dental treatment in children. This includes dental check-ups, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings and extractions.
Check with your local GENERAL DENTIST to see if they are part of this government scheme.
The DENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM (ACT GOVERNMENT) does offer Child Dental Benefits Scheme.
Benefits are available to children who are eligible for Medicare and part of a family who receive Family Tax Benefit Part A or another Australian Government payment. Total benefit entitlement is capped at $1,000 per child over a 2 calendar year period.
Please access your Medicare online account through MyGov to confirm your child’s eligibility and balance amount. You can also contact the Medicare general enquiries line on 13 20 11.
Check the website for more information
Dental | Health (act.gov.au) https:/health.act.gov.au/services/dental
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