The short answer: Medicare does not cover dental treatment for adults. Unlike GP visits, specialists, and hospital care, dental services fall outside Australia’s universal healthcare system. The only exception is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), which covers basic dental services for eligible children.
This guide explains exactly what Medicare does and doesn’t cover for dental, how the CDBS works, and how to access public dental services if you don’t have private health insurance.
What Medicare covers for dental
For the vast majority of Australians, Medicare covers nothing for dental treatment. There is no Medicare rebate for dental checkups, fillings, extractions, crowns, implants, braces, or any other dental procedure for adults.
The exceptions are:
- Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) — basic dental services for eligible children aged 0–17
- Dental surgery in hospital — if dental treatment is medically necessary as part of a hospital admission (e.g., jaw surgery after an accident), the hospital component may be covered by Medicare. The dental component itself is still not covered.
- Cleft palate treatment — Medicare covers some orthodontic and surgical dental treatment for patients with cleft lip and palate through approved providers.
Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)
The CDBS is a Medicare program that provides up to $1,095.44 per child over two consecutive calendar years (2024–2025 cap; indexed annually) for basic dental services. It was introduced in 2014 to help Australian families access dental care for children.
Eligibility
Your child may be eligible if they meet all of the following:
- Aged 0–17 at any point during the calendar year
- Eligible for Medicare
- The family receives one of the following payments for at least one day of the calendar year: Family Tax Benefit Part A, Parenting Payment, Double Orphan Pension, ABSTUDY, Youth Allowance, Veterans’ Children Education Scheme (if 16+), or Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme (if 16+)
You’ll receive a letter from Services Australia if your child is eligible.
What CDBS covers
- Dental examinations
- X-rays
- Cleaning (scale and clean)
- Fluoride treatment
- Fissure sealing
- Fillings
- Root canal treatment (on children’s teeth)
- Extractions
- Partial dentures
What CDBS does not cover
- Orthodontic treatment (braces, Invisalign)
- Cosmetic procedures (whitening, veneers)
- Dental implants
- Treatment in a hospital or operating theatre
- Crowns
How to use CDBS
- Check your eligibility by calling Services Australia (132 011) or logging into your myGov account.
- Find a dentist that bulk-bills under the CDBS — not all dentists participate. Ask before booking.
- At a bulk-billing CDBS dentist, there is no out-of-pocket cost. At a non-bulk-billing dentist, you pay upfront and claim the CDBS rebate back from Medicare.
- Keep track of your child’s remaining benefit balance through myGov or by calling Services Australia.
Public dental services
Each Australian state and territory runs public dental clinics that provide low-cost or free dental treatment to eligible patients. These services are separate from Medicare and are funded by state/territory governments.
Who’s eligible
Eligibility varies by state but generally includes:
- Holders of a Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
- Children under 18 who are dependants of concession card holders
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (priority access in some states)
What to expect
- Wait times: Varies dramatically by state and service type. General treatment wait times range from 2 months to 2+ years. Emergency dental is usually seen within 24–48 hours.
- Cost: Many services are free for concession card holders. Some states charge a small co-payment ($20–$50 per visit).
- Services available: Basic services (checkups, cleans, fillings, extractions) are widely available. Complex services (root canals, crowns, dentures) vary by state and clinic. Cosmetic and orthodontic services are generally not available.
State-by-state public dental access
- NSW: Provided through Local Health Districts. Call your nearest Community Health Centre. Wait times vary from weeks to 12+ months.
- VIC: Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV) runs public dental clinics and partners with community health centres. Call the dental waitlist line: 1300 360 054.
- QLD: Oral Health Services through Hospital and Health Services. Apply through your nearest HHS.
- WA: Dental Health Services (DHS). Priority given to emergency care and children.
- SA: SA Dental Service. Call 1300 008 222.
- TAS: Oral Health Services Tasmania. Call 1800 001 123.
- ACT: ACT Dental Health Program. Call (02) 6205 1283.
- NT: Oral Health Services. Provided through community health centres.
Alternatives if you don’t have insurance
If you’re not eligible for public dental and don’t have private health insurance, these options can help reduce dental costs:
- University dental clinics: Universities with dental schools (e.g., University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, UQ, UWA, University of Adelaide) offer supervised dental treatment at 30–50% below private practice rates.
- Payment plans: Many private practices offer interest-free payment plans through services like Afterpay, Zip, or DentiCare, spreading the cost over 3–24 months.
- Dental schools of TAFE: Some TAFE colleges offer low-cost dental hygiene services through their training programs.
- Charitable programs: Organisations like the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Give a Smile Foundation, and some Rotary clubs provide free dental care in specific circumstances.
Common questions
Why doesn’t Medicare cover dental?
When Medicare was introduced in 1984, dental was excluded to keep the system financially sustainable. Dental has remained excluded despite ongoing advocacy from health organisations. The CDBS was introduced in 2014 as a partial measure for children.
Will Medicare ever cover dental for adults?
There are ongoing campaigns to include dental in Medicare. Some political parties have proposed Medicare-funded dental care, but as of 2026, no concrete legislation has been passed for universal adult dental coverage.
Can I go to the hospital emergency department for dental pain?
Yes, but hospital EDs can only provide pain relief and antibiotics for dental problems. They cannot perform dental procedures like fillings, extractions, or root canals. You’ll be referred to a dentist for definitive treatment.
Is the CDBS the same as the old Medicare Teen Dental Plan?
No. The Teen Dental Plan (2008–2013) was replaced by the CDBS in 2014. The CDBS covers a broader age range (0–17 vs 12–17) and more services, but with an eligibility requirement linked to family payments.
How do I find a dentist that bulk-bills under the CDBS?
Ask when booking whether the practice bulk-bills CDBS patients. Not all dentists participate. Public dental clinics typically accept CDBS, and many family-focused private practices do too.
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