By the Berala Dental clinical team. Educational information only — this article is general information and is not a substitute for personalised dental advice. Please book a consultation to discuss your individual needs.
For most adults, Medicare does not cover routine dental care in Australia. General check-ups, fillings, crowns and implants are usually paid for privately or through private health insurance. There are important exceptions, though — including the Child Dental Benefits Schedule for eligible kids and some public dental schemes — so it's worth knowing exactly where you stand. Here's a clear guide.
If you'd like help working out what your own cover pays, just ask us.
Call (02) 9649 6468 · Book online · WhatsApp
What Medicare generally does not cover
Everyday dental treatment for adults usually sits outside Medicare. That typically includes:
- Routine check-ups and cleans
- Fillings
- Crowns, bridges and dentures
- Dental implants
For these, most adults pay privately or claim through the extras part of their private health insurance.
Does Medicare cover dental implants?
No. Medicare does not cover dental implants for adults, so most people pay for them privately or claim part of the cost through private health insurance. Some extras policies contribute towards implants under major dental cover, subject to waiting periods and annual limits, so the amount depends entirely on your own policy. Berala Dental places implants in-house and provides a written quote with item numbers, so you can check your benefit with your fund before treatment. You can read more about dental implants at Berala Dental and what a dental implant costs in Sydney.
The main exceptions
Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)
The CDBS is a Medicare program that contributes towards basic dental care for eligible children. At Berala Dental we bulk-bill CDBS-eligible treatment, which means Medicare pays the clinic directly and there's no out-of-pocket cost for covered services. You can check your child's CDBS eligibility here.
Public dental services
State and territory public dental services provide care for eligible people, often those holding certain concession cards. Waiting times and eligibility vary by state, so it's worth checking your local public dental service if you think you qualify.
Limited Medicare (MBS) items
A small number of specific surgical or medical procedures may attract a Medicare benefit in particular circumstances, usually via referral. These are the exception rather than the rule for everyday dental care.
Happy to put an itemised quote together so you can check it against your own policy.
Call (02) 9649 6468 · Book online · WhatsApp
How private health insurance fits in
Private health "extras" (or "ancillary") cover is the main way many adults reduce dental costs. How much you get back depends on:
- Your level of cover (basic vs comprehensive extras)
- Your annual limits
- Any waiting periods on your policy
- Whether your dentist is a preferred provider for your fund
Berala Dental is a BUPA Members First provider. Whichever fund you're with, we won't promise a specific rebate or a "no gap" outcome — that always depends on your individual policy — but we'll give you an itemised quote with item numbers so you can confirm your benefit with your fund before treatment.
How to check what you'll actually pay
- Have an examination so we know what treatment you need.
- Get an itemised written quote with item numbers.
- Call your fund (or check your app) and quote those item numbers to confirm your rebate and any remaining limits.
- If you have kids, check their CDBS balance via your Medicare online account.
This simple process means no surprises. See our fees page for how we handle quotes and payment.
Frequently asked questions
Is the CDBS the same as Medicare?
The CDBS is a dental program funded through Medicare for eligible children. It's specifically for basic dental care, not for adults or for treatments like implants or orthodontics.
Can I claim my dentist visit on Medicare?
Generally no for routine adult dental. The main Medicare-linked pathway for dental is the CDBS for eligible children. Adults usually rely on private extras cover or public dental services.
How do I find out if my child is eligible for the CDBS?
Eligibility is assessed by Medicare. You can check via your Medicare online account, or we can run a quick eligibility check for you — start at our CDBS page.
Talk to us about your options
Not sure how your cover works? We're happy to help you make sense of it.
Call (02) 9649 6468 · Book online · WhatsApp
We review this article periodically so the information stays current for 2026.
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