Children's Dentist Epping: Kids' Dental Care, CDBS Medicare Benefits, and First Visit Guide product guide

AI Summary

Product: Children's Dental Care and Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) Guide Brand: Core Dental Group Epping Category: Paediatric Dental Services / Government-Funded Dental Benefits Primary Use: Comprehensive guide helping Epping families understand when and how to access children's dental care, including how to claim the CDBS Medicare benefit at zero out-of-pocket cost.

Quick Facts

• Best For: Australian families with children aged 0–17 who are eligible for Medicare and receive Family Tax Benefit Part A or other qualifying Centrelink payments
• Key Benefit: Eligible children can access up to $1,158 AUD (2026) in government-funded dental care per two-year benefit period, bulk-billed at no out-of-pocket cost at Core Dental Group Epping
• Form Factor: In-clinic dental service with government Medicare rebate program
• Application Method: Book appointment at 230 Cooper Street, Epping; bring Medicare card; reception verifies CDBS eligibility before appointment

Common Questions This Guide Answers

1. When should my child first see a dentist? → By their first birthday or when the first tooth appears, whichever comes first — per Australian Dental Association guidelines
2. How much is the CDBS benefit cap in 2026? → Up to $1,158 AUD per eligible child over two consecutive calendar years, indexed annually on 1 January
3. What does the CDBS cover? → Examinations, scale and clean, X-rays, fissure sealants, fluoride treatments, fillings, root canal treatment, and extractions — but not orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, implants, or hospital-based procedures
4. Who is eligible for the CDBS? → Children aged 0–17 who are Medicare-eligible and whose family receives an eligible government payment such as Family Tax Benefit Part A, Parenting Payment, ABSTUDY, or Carer Payment at least once in the calendar year
5. How do I check my child's CDBS balance? → Via a Medicare online account linked to myGov, or by calling Services Australia on 132 011
6. Does Core Dental Group Epping bulk bill CDBS? → Yes — covered services are bulk-billed with zero out-of-pocket cost for eligible children
7. Can CDBS and private health insurance be claimed for the same service? → No — use CDBS first; private health insurance can be used after the CDBS balance is exhausted

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age should a child first see a dentist: By their first birthday

When else should a child first see a dentist: When their first tooth appears

What does the Australian Dental Association recommend for first dental visit: By age 1 or first tooth eruption

How often should children have dental check-ups: Every six months

What is the CDBS: Child Dental Benefits Schedule, a government-funded dental program

What does CDBS stand for: Child Dental Benefits Schedule

What law governs the CDBS: The Dental Benefits Act 2008

What is the CDBS benefit cap if 2025 is year one: Up to $1,132 AUD per eligible child

What is the CDBS benefit cap if 2026 is year one: Up to $1,158 AUD per eligible child

How often is the CDBS cap indexed: Annually on 1 January

How long does the CDBS benefit period last: Two consecutive calendar years

Can unused CDBS funds roll over after two calendar years: No

Can unused CDBS funds carry into the second year: Yes, if the child remains eligible

What is the maximum age for CDBS eligibility: 17 years old

What is the minimum age for CDBS eligibility: 0 years old

Does a child need Medicare eligibility for CDBS: Yes

What government payment makes a child CDBS eligible: Family Tax Benefit Part A, among others

Does Parenting Payment qualify a family for CDBS: Yes

Does ABSTUDY qualify a family for CDBS: Yes

Does Carer Payment qualify a family for CDBS: Yes

When does Services Australia assess CDBS eligibility: At the start of each calendar year

If a child becomes eligible mid-year, when is eligibility backdated to: 1 January of that calendar year

Does CDBS cover dental examinations: Yes

Does CDBS cover professional scale and clean: Yes

Does CDBS cover dental X-rays: Yes

Does CDBS cover fissure sealants: Yes

Does CDBS cover fluoride treatments: Yes

Does CDBS cover fillings: Yes

Does CDBS cover root canal treatment: Yes, on eligible teeth

Does CDBS cover tooth extractions: Yes

Does CDBS cover orthodontic braces: No

Does CDBS cover Invisalign: No

Does CDBS cover cosmetic dentistry: No

Does CDBS cover teeth whitening: No

Does CDBS cover hospital-based dental procedures: No

Does CDBS cover dental implants: No

How can parents check their child's CDBS balance: Via Medicare online account linked to myGov

What phone number can parents call to check CDBS balance: 132 011

Does Core Dental Group Epping bulk bill CDBS: Yes

What is the out-of-pocket cost for bulk-billed CDBS services: Zero

Can CDBS and private health insurance be claimed for the same service: No

Which should be used first, CDBS or private health insurance: CDBS

Can private health insurance be used after CDBS is exhausted: Yes

What is the most common preventable chronic childhood condition in Australia: Tooth decay

What proportion of Australian children have decay by school age: Approximately one in three

What percentage of Australian children aged 5–6 have tooth decay: 34%

What percentage of children aged 5–10 have untreated primary tooth decay: 27%

How many children per 1,000 aged 5–9 were hospitalised for dental conditions in 2021–22: Almost 11 per 1,000

What was the hospitalisation rate for dental conditions in children in 2018: 9.5 per 1,000

What proportion of CDBS-eligible children actually use the program: Around 1 in 3

What proportion of children are eligible for CDBS: Around 1 in 2

At what age do most Australian children first visit a dentist: After age 7

Does early dental visiting reduce dental fear in children: Yes

What is the primary purpose of an infant's first dental visit: Educational appointment for parents and clinical assessment

What does a dentist check at a 12-month visit: Gum health, early decay risk, and feeding habits

What does a dentist check at a 2–3 year visit: Bite development, fluoride needs, and brushing technique

When does fissure sealant candidacy begin: Around ages 5–6 when first permanent molars emerge

What is the mixed dentition phase: When baby teeth fall out and permanent teeth come in

At what age does the mixed dentition phase typically occur: Ages 7–8

What does a dentist monitor at ages 12–14: Decay risk, wisdom teeth, and orthodontic development

Do baby teeth matter clinically: Yes

Why do baby teeth matter: They hold space for permanent teeth

What else do baby teeth support: Speech development and normal chewing

What word should parents avoid before a dental visit: Needle

What other words should parents avoid before a dental visit: Drill, hurt, and pain

What time of day is best for a child's dental appointment: Morning

Why are morning appointments recommended for children: Children are rested and less likely to be irritable

What is the Tell-Show-Do technique: A behavioural method to reduce dental anxiety in children

Is Tell-Show-Do a low-risk approach: Yes

What is the most significant parental predictor of childhood dental anxiety: Parental dental anxiety

What percentage of children from high-income households visit the dentist for check-ups: 88%

What percentage of children from low-income households visit the dentist for check-ups: 71%

What is the purpose of fissure sealants: To prevent decay in newly erupted molars

Are fissure sealants a high-value use of CDBS: Yes

Does dental anxiety lead to worse oral health outcomes: Yes

What oral problems are associated with dental anxiety: Carious lesions, tooth loss, and need for oral rehabilitation

Where is Core Dental Group Epping located: 230 Cooper Street, Epping

What should parents bring to a CDBS appointment at Core Dental Group Epping: Medicare card

Does Core Dental Group Epping treat children across all developmental stages: Yes

Does Core Dental Group Epping offer sports mouthguard fitting for children: Yes

Does Core Dental Group Epping offer orthodontic assessment for teenagers: Yes

Does Core Dental Group Epping monitor wisdom teeth in teenagers: Yes

What type of X-ray is used for wisdom tooth monitoring: OPG X-rays

How many eligible children in a two-child family can access over $2,300 AUD in CDBS coverage: Two

Why children's dental health can't wait — and how Epping families can act now

Australia has a children's dental health problem hiding in plain sight.

Tooth decay is the most common preventable chronic childhood condition in the country. Yet around half of all children are eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), and historically only about one in three of those eligible children actually use it. That gap between entitlement and action has real, measurable consequences: almost 11 in every 1,000 children aged 5–9 were admitted to Australian hospitals for preventable dental conditions in 2021–22, up from 9.5 per 1,000 in 2018.

For families in Epping and Melbourne's northern suburbs, this isn't an abstract statistic. It's an avoidable outcome, and Core Dental Group's Epping practice is well-placed to help turn that around. This guide covers everything parents need to know about paediatric dental care at Core Dental Group Epping: when to bring your child in, what to expect at each developmental stage, how the CDBS Medicare benefit works in practical terms, and how to make the first dental visit a positive experience rather than a stressful one.

When should my child first see a dentist?

This is the question most parents get wrong — not through negligence, but because the answer is earlier than most people expect.

The Australian Dental Association's position is clear: all children should have a dental examination by the time their first tooth appears or by their first birthday, and should be seen regularly from that point onwards.

In practice, most children attend their first dental visit after age 7, often because of decay or tooth pain — well outside the recommended window of 6 to 12 months. This delay matters clinically. Tooth decay affects up to 60–90% of school-aged children in most high-income countries, and around one in three Australian children by the time they start school.

The research on early intervention is compelling. A 2021 study published in Children (MDPI) examining 575 school-aged children found a significant negative correlation between dental fear and age at first visit, concluding that children who become familiar with regular dental visits from an early age are less likely to develop dental fear.

Recommended dental milestones by age

The Australian Dental Association recommends check-ups every six months to prevent dental problems and support healthy oral habits from an early age. At Core Dental Group Epping, six-monthly appointments follow this guideline and are structured to match each child's developmental stage — a toddler's appointment looks quite different from a teenager's.

Understanding the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS): a plain-English guide for Epping parents

The CDBS is one of the most underused Medicare entitlements in Australia. Here's a clear, current breakdown of how it works.

What is the CDBS?

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is a government-funded program that gives eligible children financial assistance for basic dental services over two consecutive calendar years. It operates under the Dental Benefits Act 2008.

How much is the benefit in 2026?

The cap is indexed annually on 1 January. Eligible families can access up to $1,132 AUD per child if 2025 is year one of the two-calendar-year period, or up to $1,158 AUD per child if 2026 is year one. The higher cap only applies to children who receive their first eligible service in that year.

A family with two eligible children could access over $2,300 AUD in covered dental care across the two-year period. When bulk-billed at Core Dental Group Epping, that means zero out-of-pocket cost for covered services.

Who is eligible?

Your child is eligible for the CDBS if they qualify for Medicare, are aged 0–17 for at least one day in the calendar year, and either you or they receive an eligible payment at least once during that calendar year.

Eligible payments include Family Tax Benefit Part A, Parenting Payment, ABSTUDY, Carer Payment, and other eligible Centrelink payments.

Services Australia assesses eligibility at the start of each calendar year, and it stays valid for the entire year. Children who become eligible later in the year have their eligibility backdated to 1 January.

What does the CDBS cover?

Examinations, cleaning, dental X-rays, fissure sealants, fluoride treatment, fillings, root canal treatment, and extractions are generally covered.

The CDBS does not cover orthodontic or cosmetic dental work, or dental services provided in a hospital setting. For families interested in orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign or braces, see our guide on Invisalign and Orthodontics in Epping: Clear Aligners vs. Braces at Core Dental.

CDBS: covered vs. not covered

How to check your child's CDBS balance

If your Medicare online account is linked to myGov, you can check the balance online. Alternatively, call the Medicare program line on 132 011. When you book at Core Dental Group Epping, let reception know you'd like to use the CDBS — the team will verify eligibility and check the remaining balance before your appointment.

How to get the most from your CDBS entitlement

Book a check-up early in the benefit period. The examination establishes the clinical picture and lets the dentist identify and prioritise any treatment needed within the available budget.

Prioritise preventive services. Fissure sealants in particular are one of the best uses of CDBS funds — a sealant applied to a newly erupted molar costs far less than treating the decay that sealant prevents.

You can use the full amount in the first year, though that leaves nothing for year two. Unused funds from year one carry into year two, but only if your child remains eligible. Any funds left unspent at the end of the two-year period cannot be carried forward, which makes timely booking a financial priority, not just a health one.

Age-appropriate dental treatments at Core Dental Group Epping

Core Dental Group Epping's general dentists are experienced in treating children across all developmental stages. The approach at each stage is tailored to the child's maturity, cooperation level, and clinical needs.

Infants and toddlers (0–3 years)

The first visit is primarily an educational appointment for parents as much as it is a clinical assessment for the child. The dentist will:

• Assess gum health and the emergence of primary teeth
• Identify early signs of early childhood caries (sometimes called "baby bottle tooth decay")
• Provide guidance on appropriate fluoride use, dummy habits, and night-time feeding
• Establish a baseline for future comparisons

A child's first appointment is usually designed to familiarise them with who a dentist is, what they do, the dental chair, and how to keep teeth and gums healthy.

Preschool and early primary (4–7 years)

This is the most critical window for decay prevention. Tooth decay affects 34% of Australian children aged 5–6 and 27% of those aged 5–10 have untreated primary tooth decay. At Core Dental Group Epping, appointments in this age group typically include:

• Examination of primary teeth and emerging permanent teeth
• Professional scale and clean
• Fluoride varnish application
• Dietary counselling for parents
• Fissure sealant assessment as permanent molars emerge

A common parental misconception is that baby teeth don't matter because they fall out anyway. This is clinically incorrect. Primary teeth hold space for permanent teeth, support speech development, and allow children to chew and eat normally. Untreated decay in baby teeth causes pain, infection, and can affect the developing permanent teeth underneath.

Upper primary and early high school (8–14 years)

Regular check-ups at this stage let the dentist monitor jaw and tooth development, track oral hygiene habits, and step in with timely interventions where needed.

At Core Dental Group Epping, the clinical focus shifts toward:

• Monitoring the mixed dentition transition (baby teeth falling out, permanent teeth coming in)
• Fissure sealants on newly erupted permanent molars
• Early orthodontic screening — if interceptive treatment is indicated, the Core Dental Group team can discuss referral pathways (see our guide on Invisalign and Orthodontics in Epping)
• Sports mouthguard fitting for children involved in contact sports (see our guide on Mouthguards, Occlusal Splints, and Snoring Devices in Epping)

Teenagers (15–17 years)

Teenage oral health comes with its own challenges: dietary changes, increased sugar consumption, orthodontic treatment, and the emergence of wisdom teeth. Around three times as many children aged 10–14 experienced toothache in 2017–18 compared to 2013, a deteriorating trend that routine preventive care can reverse. Core Dental Group Epping offers:

• Comprehensive examinations and professional cleans
• Wisdom tooth monitoring and OPG X-rays
• Orthodontic assessment
• CDBS-covered treatment up to the child's 17th birthday

Preparing your child for their first visit at Core Dental Group Epping: a step-by-step guide

A child's willingness to have their teeth checked usually comes down to how well prepared they are for the visit. Dental practitioners do their best to make the experience positive, but a lot of the groundwork happens at home — and parents play a bigger role than they might realise.

Step 1: Use positive, neutral language

Avoid words like "needle," "drill," "hurt," or "pain" when describing the visit. Instead, frame it as "the dentist is going to count your teeth and make them sparkly clean." Dentists use age-appropriate language to explain procedures and what the child can expect — parents can reinforce this at home in the days leading up to the appointment.

Step 2: Read books or watch videos about the dentist

There are plenty of children's books and age-appropriate videos that normalise the dental visit. Familiarity goes a long way in reducing anticipatory anxiety.

Step 3: Role-play at home

Let your child "be the dentist" and check your teeth with a toothbrush, then swap roles. This demystifies the examination process and gives the child a sense of control over the experience.

Step 4: Choose the right time of day

Book morning appointments when children are rested and less likely to be tired, hungry, or irritable. Try to avoid scheduling immediately after school or during nap times for younger children.

Step 5: Stay calm yourself

Children pick up on their parents' energy. If you're relaxed and upbeat before the appointment, there's a good chance they will be too. Parental dental anxiety is one of the strongest predictors of childhood dental anxiety — managing your own response is a genuine clinical intervention.

Step 6: Let the dental team lead

At Core Dental Group Epping, the clinical team is experienced in child-centred communication. Behavioural methods like Tell-Show-Do, modelling, and desensitisation reduce uncertainty and build confidence; they are low-risk and are usually the first approach taken with mildly anxious or younger children. Trust the process and avoid over-coaching your child once they're in the chair.

Step 7: Celebrate the visit afterwards

Positive reinforcement after the appointment — a small non-food reward, a sticker, or simply enthusiastic praise — builds a positive association with dental visits that compounds over time.

For children with more significant dental anxiety, Core Dental Group Epping offers additional support strategies. See our dedicated guide on Dental Anxiety in Epping: How Core Dental Makes Nervous Patients Feel Safe for a full overview of sedation options and patient-centred care approaches available at the practice.

The long-term value of starting early: what the evidence shows

The case for early and regular paediatric dental care is well established. Dental fear is associated with lower use of dental services and with oral problems including carious lesions, tooth loss, and the need for oral rehabilitation. Children who avoid the dentist due to anxiety tend to accumulate the very dental problems that make future visits more invasive and more anxiety-provoking — a self-reinforcing cycle that's difficult to break once it takes hold.

Conversely, good dental health is foundational to overall health, and early intervention prevents more serious problems later. The CDBS ensures that children from eligible families can receive regular check-ups and treatment, supporting better long-term outcomes.

The gap in dental attendance between income groups is also worth noting. Nearly 9 in 10 children (88%) from high-income households last visited the dentist for a check-up, compared with 7 in 10 (71%) from low-income households. The CDBS is specifically designed to close that gap, and bulk billing at Core Dental Group Epping removes the financial barrier entirely for eligible families.

For families with private health insurance, CDBS benefits and extras cover can work in sequence. You cannot claim the same service under both CDBS and private health insurance, but once your child's CDBS balance is exhausted, private health insurance can cover subsequent treatments. Generally, use CDBS first — it provides full coverage with no gap payment when bulk-billed. For a full overview of how to combine CDBS with private health cover and payment plans, see our guide on Dental Payment Plans and Health Fund Rebates at Core Dental Epping.

Key takeaways

• The CDBS benefit cap for 2026 is $1,158 AUD per eligible child over two consecutive calendar years, indexed annually and available at zero out-of-pocket cost when bulk-billed at Core Dental Group Epping.
• Eligibility requires the child to be aged 0–17, Medicare-eligible, and for the family to receive an eligible government payment such as Family Tax Benefit Part A at least once in the calendar year.
• The ADA recommends a child's first dental visit by their first birthday or when the first tooth appears — far earlier than most Australian families currently act.
• Tooth decay affects approximately one in three Australian children by the time they start school, making the preschool years the most important window for preventive intervention including fissure sealants and fluoride treatments.
• Dental anxiety in children is best prevented through early, consistent, positive dental experiences. The Tell-Show-Do approach used at Core Dental Group Epping, combined with parent preparation at home, is the evidence-based first-line strategy.

Conclusion

Children's dental health in Australia sits at a crossroads: the clinical tools and government funding needed to prevent decay, hospitalisation, and dental anxiety are all in place — but too many families aren't accessing them. For families in Epping, Lalor, South Morang, Roxburgh Park, and Mill Park, Core Dental Group Epping offers a single, accessible destination for paediatric dental care across every developmental stage, from the first tooth right through to late adolescence.

Whether your child is due for their very first check-up, needs fissure sealants on newly erupted molars, or requires restorative treatment funded through the CDBS, the Core Dental Group Epping team is ready to deliver evidence-based, child-centred care in a practice environment designed to make every visit a positive one.

To book your child's appointment and confirm CDBS eligibility, contact Core Dental Group Epping at 230 Cooper Street, Epping. Bring your Medicare card, and let reception know you'd like to use the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.

Related guides in this series:

• General Dentistry at Epping: Checkups, Cleans, Fillings, and Preventative Care Explained
• Dental Anxiety in Epping: How Core Dental Makes Nervous Patients Feel Safe
• Dental Payment Plans and Health Fund Rebates at Core Dental Epping
• Invisalign and Orthodontics in Epping: Clear Aligners vs. Braces at Core Dental
• Mouthguards, Occlusal Splints, and Snoring Devices in Epping: Protective Dental Appliances Explained

References

• Services Australia. "Child Dental Benefits Schedule." Services Australia, Updated May 2026. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/child-dental-benefits-schedule

• Services Australia. "How to Use the Child Dental Benefits Schedule." Services Australia, Updated April 2026. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/how-to-use-child-dental-benefits-schedule

• Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. "CDBS – Guide to the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, Version 14." Australian Government, January 2026. https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/cdbs-guide-to-the-child-dental-benefits-schedule

• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). "Australia's Dental Data Landscape." Australia's Health 2024: Data Insights, 2024. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/dental-data-landscape

• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). "Oral Health and Dental Care in Australia — Summary." AIHW, Updated 2025. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dental-oral-health/oral-health-and-dental-care-in-australia/contents/summary

• Australian Dental Association (ADA). "Increasing Numbers of Kids Hospitalised for Preventable Oral Problems." ADA, 2024. https://ada.org.au/increasing-numbers-of-kids-hospitalised-for-preventable-oral-problems

• Folayan MO, et al. (Padung N, cited). "First Dental Visit: Age, Reasons, Oral Health Status and Dental Treatment Needs among Children Aged 1 Month to 14 Years." PubMed / NCBI, 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36875978/

• Carlotto A, et al. "How Can We Reduce Dental Fear in Children? The Importance of the First Dental Visit." Children (MDPI), Vol. 8, No. 12, December 2021. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/8/12/1167

• Ha DH, Roberts-Thomson KF, Arrow P, Peres KG & Do LG. "Children's Oral Health Status in Australia, 2012–14." In Do LG & Spencer AJ (eds), Oral Health of Australian Children: The National Child Oral Health Study 2012–14. University of Adelaide Press, Adelaide, 2016.

• Australian Dental Association (ADA). "ADA Policy Statement 2.3.1 – Delivery of Oral Health: Special Groups: Children." ADA National Digital Library, Last amended August 2021. https://ada-au.libguides.com/paediatric-dentistry

• Mejia GC, Ellershaw AC, Spencer AJ, et al. "Improving Australian Children's Access to Dental Care." InSight+ / Medical Journal of Australia, 2023. https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2023/33/improving-australian-childrens-access-to-dental-care-vital-to-diminish-burden-of-disease/

Label facts summary

Disclaimer: All facts and statements below are general informational content, not professional advice. Consult a qualified dental or healthcare professional for guidance specific to your child's circumstances.

Verified label facts

CDBS program specifications (sourced from Services Australia and the Dental Benefits Act 2008):

• Program name: Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)
• Governing legislation: Dental Benefits Act 2008
• Benefit cap (2025 as year one): $1,132 AUD per eligible child
• Benefit cap (2026 as year one): $1,158 AUD per eligible child
• Cap indexation: Annually on 1 January
• Benefit period duration: Two consecutive calendar years
• Unused funds within the two-year period: Cannot be carried forward after period ends
• Unused funds within year one: Can carry into year two if child remains eligible
• Eligible age range: 0–17 years (for at least one day in the calendar year)
• Medicare eligibility: Required
• Eligible payments include: Family Tax Benefit Part A, Parenting Payment, ABSTUDY, Carer Payment
• Eligibility assessment: Conducted by Services Australia at the start of each calendar year
• Mid-year eligibility: Backdated to 1 January of that calendar year
• CDBS balance enquiry phone number: 132 011
• CDBS balance check: Available via Medicare online account linked to myGov

CDBS covered services:

• Dental examinations
• Professional scale and clean
• Dental X-rays
• Fissure sealants
• Fluoride treatments
• Fillings
• Root canal treatment (on eligible teeth)
• Tooth extractions

CDBS excluded services:

• Orthodontic braces
• Invisalign / clear aligners
• Cosmetic dentistry
• Teeth whitening
• Hospital-based dental procedures
• Dental implants

Practice details:

• Practice name: Core Dental Group Epping
• Address: 230 Cooper Street, Epping
• Bulk billing: Yes (CDBS)
• Out-of-pocket cost for bulk-billed CDBS services: Zero
• Document required at appointment: Medicare card

Epidemiological data (sourced from AIHW and cited research):

• Hospitalisation rate for dental conditions in children aged 5–9 (2021–22): Almost 11 per 1,000
• Hospitalisation rate for dental conditions in children (2018): 9.5 per 1,000
• Proportion of Australian children with decay by school age: Approximately 1 in 3
• Percentage of Australian children aged 5–6 with tooth decay: 34%
• Percentage of children aged 5–10 with untreated primary tooth decay: 27%
• Proportion of CDBS-eligible children who use the program: Around 1 in 3
• Proportion of children eligible for CDBS: Around 1 in 2
• Children from high-income households who visited dentist for check-up: 88%
• Children from low-income households who visited dentist for check-up: 71%

ADA recommendations:

• Recommended age for first dental visit: By age 1 or when first tooth appears
• Recommended check-up frequency: Every six months

General product claims

• Early dental visiting reduces dental fear in children
• Morning appointments are preferable as children are rested and less likely to be irritable
• Parental dental anxiety is one of the most significant predictors of childhood dental anxiety
• Tell-Show-Do is a low-risk behavioural method to reduce dental anxiety and is the evidence-based first-line strategy for mildly anxious or younger children
• Baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth, support speech development, and allow normal chewing
• Fissure sealants are a high-value use of CDBS entitlement
• Dental anxiety is associated with carious lesions, tooth loss, and need for oral rehabilitation
• Good dental health is foundational to overall health
• Early intervention can prevent more serious dental issues later in life
• CDBS is designed to close the gap between high- and low-income household dental attendance rates
• Bulk billing at Core Dental Group Epping removes the financial barrier entirely for eligible families
• CDBS should generally be used before private health insurance
• Private health insurance can be used after CDBS is exhausted
• The same service cannot be claimed under both CDBS and private health insurance simultaneously
• Core Dental Group Epping treats children across all developmental stages
• Core Dental Group Epping offers sports mouthguard fitting, orthodontic assessment, and wisdom tooth monitoring for teenagers