Medicare dental program offers $1000 for children’s treatment
Eligible families will be able to access $1000 for their children’s dental treatments. Experts hope this will free up the staggering number of hospital beds taken up by preventable dental surgery.
Central Coast
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Preventable dental surgeries are taking up valuable hospital beds across the Central Coast, according to the Australian Dental Association (ADA).
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare statistics have revealed that more than 1000 hospital bed days were taken up in 2017-18 in the Gosford and Wyong districts due to dental-related conditions.
These figures have prompted the ADA to urge people to stay on top of their dental hygiene in 2020 and receive regular check ups and treatments before conditions escalate.
Many coast parents are eligible for a Medicare-funded program for their children’s dental treatment.
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) offers eligible Australian children aged two to 17 up to $1000 of subsidised treatment, including extractions, fillings and cleaning, over a two-year period.
This is open to families who receive Family Tax Benefit Part A or certain other Centrelink eligible payments.
Latest Department of Health statistics reveal that only a third of eligible NSW children access the scheme every year.
Australian Dental Association NSW president Dr Kathleen Matthews said notification letters would be sent to parents of eligible children in early 2020.
“Most people know it’s important to visit their dentist, but cost can be a huge barrier to accessing treatment,” Dr Matthews said.
“Almost two million Australians, including hundreds of thousands of children, miss out on treatment every year due to high fees. Any help you can get for dental bills is great, which is where the CDBS is so handy.
“Teeth are so important to overall wellbeing, while poor oral health can also contribute to debilitating health conditions such as diabetes and obesity. If you want to help safeguard your children’s oral health and save money, don’t miss out when your notification letter arrives.”
Parents can check their eligibility for the service at www.humanservices.gov.au