Child Dental Benefits Schedule Cap – How Does It Work?

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule Cap – How does the $1000 benefit cap work?

What is a Benefit Cap?
The amount of dental benefits available to eligible patients is capped at $1,000 per eligible patient over two consecutive calendar years. This maximum amount of dental benefits is known as the benefit cap.

Does this Benefit Cap work with allsmiles Dental Centre?
Allsmiles Dental Centre are pleased to provide expert dental care services for children, which can as of January 1st 2014 come under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. Allsmiles Dental Centre will bulk bill for these services. The amount of dental benefits available to eligible patients is capped at $1,000 per eligible patient over two consecutive calendar years. This maximum amount of dental benefits is known as the benefit cap and the two consecutive calendar years is known as the relevant two year period.

When does the relevant two year period commence for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?
The relevant two year period commences from the calendar year in which the patient first receives an eligible dental service. For example, if the patient’s first dental service is on 15 May 2014, the relevant two year period will be the entire 2014 calendar year and, if the patient is eligible the following year, the entire 2015 calendar year.  If the patient is eligible in 2016 or a later year they will then have access to a new benefit cap.

Can the entire benefit be used within one year?
A patient’s entire benefit cap from the Child Dental Benefits Schedule can be used in the first year if needed. If the entire benefit cap is not used in the first year, the balance can be used in the next year if the child is still eligible.

What happens to the leftover balance at the end of the relevant two year period?
Any balance remaining at the end of the relevant two year period cannot be used to fund services that are provided outside that period. A new benefit cap will become available only if the relevant two year period has elapsed and the child is eligible in a following year.

How can allsmiles Dental Centre help you with checking for eligibility of your child for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?
All Smiles Dental Centre are happy to check on your behalf your child’s eligibility and can also inform you of the remaining balance you have to cover your child’s dental care. A patient’s benefit cap can only be used for eligible services provided to that patient: family members cannot share their entitlements.

Allsmiles services that come under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?
Allsmiles Dental Centre can help you with the following services that come under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule:

• Examinations
• X-rays
• Cleaning
• Fissure sealing
• White fillings
• Root canals
• Extractions
• Partial dentures
• Other services may also be included, please check with reception when making a booking

Contact us
Contact us online or phone today on 07 5572 8872 about our services and the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. We will return your enquiry as a priority and look forward to discussing in greater detail how allsmiles Dental Centre can care for your children’s dental care needs. We have a practice in Mermaid Waters.

Allsmiles Dental Centre is a bulk billing dentist for services provided that come under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. Allsmiles will let you know exactly what services and treatments can and cannot come under this new medicare scheme.

Allsmiles Dental Centre now has an app for mobile, which can keep you up to date with news like the Child Dental Benefits Schedule and also exclusive offers for holders of the allsmiles mobile app. Here are two download links where you can retrieve the app from:

Download via Apple
Download via Google