The proposal would expand Commonwealth subsidies for dental services to eligible persons, with 3 components and 8 sub-options, from 1 July 2024. 

Component 1: Expand Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) subsidies for dental services, with 4 options and 8 sub-options

Option 1: Universal coverage of dental services
Under this option, rebates at 100% of the schedule fees for all items specified in the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) would be made available to all Medicare card holders, with 2 sub-options:

• Option 1.1: The rebate for each eligible individual would be capped and indexed as per current CDBS arrangements. The capped amount is currently at $1,052 over 2 calendar years and is subject to indexation on 1 January 2024.
• Option 1.2: The rebate would be uncapped.
   

Option 2: Means-tested coverage
Under this option, rebates at 100% of the schedule fees for all items specified in the CDBS would be made available to health care card holders, pension card holders and those on government income support – consistent with current means test requirements for the CDBS – with 2 sub-options:

• Option 2.1: The rebate for each eligible individual would be capped and indexed as per current CDBS arrangements. The capped amount is currently at $1,052 over 2 calendar years and is subject to indexation on 1 January 2024.
• Option 2.2: The rebate would be uncapped.
   

Option 3: Seniors dental care
Under this option, rebates at 100% of the schedule fees for all items specified in the CDBS would be made available to holders of Commonwealth seniors health cards, pensioner concession cards and health care cards who are 65 years or older.

• Option 3.1: The rebate for each eligible individual would be capped and indexed as per current CDBS arrangements. The capped amount is currently at $1,052 over 2 calendar years and is subject to indexation on 1 January 2024.
• Option 3.2: The rebate would be uncapped.
   

Option 4: Funding preventative care only
Under this option, rebates at 100% of the schedule fees for all items under U0 Diagnostic Services and U1 Preventative Services specified in the CDBS would be made available to all Medicare card holders, with 2 sub-options:

• Option 4.1: The rebate for each eligible individual would be capped and indexed as per current CDBS arrangements. The capped amount is currently at $1,052 over 2 calendar years and is subject to indexation on 1 January 2024.
• Option 4.2: The rebate would be uncapped.
   

Component 2: Education and promotion
Funding would be provided to run a national education and promotion campaign to encourage better oral hygiene practices and provide information about eligibility for subsidised services.
 

Component 3: Chief Dental Officer
Funding would be provided to establish an office of the Chief Dental Officer – a position that would be similar to the Chief Medical Officer and administered by the Department of Health and Aged Care.

The request also sought estimates of additional funding to meet the current demand for public dental services.