Easter is just around the corner, and while the Easter Bunny is busy filling baskets with treats, there’s another little surprise that Aussie families might be missing out on: up to $9,800 in dental savings. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it’s not, and it’s all thanks to a little-known Centrelink program that could help save your family a bunch of money on dental care.
Centrelink’s Hidden Benefit: How You Could Save on Dental Care
It’s called the Child Dental Benefit Schedule (CDBS), and it could save your family a significant chunk of change over the years. In fact, eligible families can access up to $1,158 every two years for dental services like check-ups, fillings, and x-rays. By the time your child turns 17, that’s a potential total of $9,800 in savings.
It sounds almost too simple, right? But here’s the catch: while around 2 million children are eligible for the CDBS, only about half of them actually use it. That means many families are sitting on thousands of dollars in dental benefits that they simply never claim. If you’re reading this and thinking, “Hmm, I’ve never heard of this,” you’re not alone.
Why Are So Many Families Missing Out?
The CDBS isn’t exactly something that’s widely advertised, and that’s part of the problem. Many parents don’t even know they’re eligible for the benefit. To qualify, your child needs to be between the ages of 0 and 17, enrolled in Medicare, and the family needs to be receiving an eligible Centrelink payment, explains Yahoo Finance. That’s it! Pretty straightforward, but many families miss the mark by not taking the time to check if they qualify.
And let’s be real, who has the time to sift through government programs when you’re already juggling work, school, and, you know, life? Plus, the process can feel a little bit daunting. But the truth is, if you have children and receive Centrelink payments, chances are you’re eligible, and you might not even know it.
What Does It Cover?
So, what exactly does the CDBS cover? The program helps with many basic dental services like regular check-ups, cleaning, fillings, x-rays, and even root canals. Essentially, it’s designed to make dental care more affordable for families. However, it doesn’t cover things like orthodontics or cosmetic procedures (sorry, no free braces).
What’s more, you don’t have to rely on public dental clinics to use the benefit—you can actually take your child to private dentists who participate in the program. That opens up a lot of options, which is great if you’re looking for more flexibility in terms of where you go for dental care.
Use It or Lose It
One of the most important things to note about the CDBS is that the benefit doesn’t roll over. If you don’t use it within the designated period, it’s gone. So, if you’re eligible, make sure you don’t miss out on those savings! It’s a pretty straightforward way to save on dental care without jumping through too many hoops.
With Easter approaching, it’s a great time to think about your child’s smile—and not just because of the chocolate. If you haven’t already, check if your family qualifies for the CDBS. It could save you a lot more than just the cost of Easter eggs.
