The proposal would expand access to dental care to all Australians that are eligible for Medicare and it would allow for a significant number of clinically relevant services to be bulk-billed.

In particular it would:

• expand the Child Dental Benefits Scheme (CDBS) to provide all Australians under 18 years of age who are eligible for Medicare with unlimited routine and therapeutic dental care, including Orthodontics (items 811-8811 ).
• establish a Health Care Card Holders Dental Benefits scheme to allow all Australians eligible for Medicare to be bulk-billed for a clinically relevant service within the following categories:
  • Diagnostic services (items 011–091) – Preventive, Prophylactic and Bleaching services (items 111–171)
  • Periodontics (items 213–251)
  • Oral surgery (items 311–399) – Endodontics (items 411–458)
  • Restorative services (items 511–597) – Prosthodontics (items 611–779)
  • Orthodontics (items 811–881) – General services (items 911–972)
  • Miscellaneous (items 981 - 999).

The policy would take effect from 1 July 2023.