Dental care

Public dental clinics

You may be able to get free or low-cost dental care through a public dental clinic. Check if you’re eligible and find a clinic near you on your state or territory government website.

Private dental clinics

Most dental care in Australia is provided privately, and you usually need to pay. If you have private health insurance, your dental costs may be covered or reduced depending on your cover. Learn about private health extras cover on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.

You can find a private dental clinic near you using the Service Finder on the healthdirect website.

Dental help for your child

Child Dental Benefits Schedule

If you get some Centrelink payments, you may get help to pay for basic dental services through the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).

Services Australia will send you a letter if your child is eligible.

Find out more about the Child Dental Benefits Schedule on the Services Australia website.

Check your CDBS balance

You can check your child’s CDBS balance before their dentist appointment.

If your Medicare online account is linked to myGov, you can check their balance online.

Once you’ve signed in, select History and statements and then Child Dental Benefits Schedule.

If you haven’t linked Medicare to your myGov account, find out how to link Medicare. 

Claim dental services

You can claim for your child’s dental services at the dentist, if they bulk bill. Find out what’s covered through the Child Dental Benefits Schedule on the Services Australia website. 

If your dentist can’t claim on your behalf, you can claim in your Medicare online account through myGov. 

If you haven’t linked Medicare to your myGov account, find out how to link Medicare. 

Find out more about how to claim on the Services Australia website. 

More information about dental care

You can find more information about dental health, costs and dental care on the healthdirect website.