New funding scheme for dental treatments for children launched on 1st January

Dental care is, of course, as important for children with Down syndrome as for any child - and as costly. 

Eligible families should have received written notification of a new federally funded scheme (through the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services) to provide selected dental treatment for children 2 - 17 yrs from 1st January 2014. The Australian Government Department of Health's website introduces the scheme with a link to further information for families:

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) will commence on 1 January 2014 and will provide access to benefits for basic dental services to around 3.4 million children aged 2-17 years. It will replace the existing Medicare Teen Dental Plan (MTDP). 

The total benefit entitlement will be capped at $1,000 per child over a two calendar year period. The CDBS will have a means test, which requires receipt of Family Tax Benefit Part A (FTB-A) or a relevant Australian Government payment. 

The CDBS will provide individual benefits for a range of services including examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals and extractions. Benefits will not be available for orthodontic or cosmetic dental work and will not be paid for any services provided in a hospital 

Information for familiesFurther information for families on the CDBS is available from the Department of Human Services website.