Now dentists are calling on the government to put an end to the misinformation surrounding the scheme and better promote it to parents.
Released this week, ahead of Dental Health Week, new data from an Australian Dental Association survey of 25,000 adults showed that only 29 percent of parents believed their child was eligible for free dental treatment under the government’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule.
Just one in three families who are eligible for the free treatment, use it.
The ADA survey found the scheme was shrouded in confusion and misinformation, with many parents unaware of its existence or unsure of their eligibility, leaving millions of young mouths at risk.
In real terms, this dramatic under-utilization rate means around 1.59 million children are going without the free dental care that’s rightfully theirs.
“This leaves millions of eligible Australian families either going without dental care or paying more out of pocket than they need to, when it could so well fund a child’s first dental visit,” ADA president Dr Chris Sanzaro said.
“It’s a scheme that’s shrouded in mystery and confusion, and with over 1.5m Australian kids missing out, the government urgently needs to better promote it to ensure eligible families can access this care.”
For eligible families, typically those in receipt of Family Tax Benefit A, the CDBS provides up to $1,132 over a two-year period for dental services such as examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals and extractions for children aged from newborn to 17.
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