Child Dental Benefits Schedule
SA Dental Service offers dental care for children not yet at school and children eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, with no out of pocket costs
The School Dental Service offers dental services for all children under 18 years who live or go to school in South Australia. Dental services are provided by teams of dentists, dental therapists and dental assistants at clinics throughout South Australia. For more information, see who can attend SA Dental Service clinics for more information.
All babies, children and young people under 18 years, are welcome to attend a School Dental Service clinic.
The best time for a child's first dental check up is between 12 and 18 months age. For tips on looking after your child's teeth visit dental care for children.
Call your local clinic to make an appointment for your child or submit your details using the appointment request form and we will phone you to make an appointment.
Use the dental clinics page to find your local clinic.
If you have a child with special needs please speak to our clinic staff about treatment options or concerns.
SA Dental Service has an agreement with The Department for Child Protection (DCP) to provide priority dental care to all children under Guardianship. We keep DCP informed of each individual child’s/young person’s oral health.
Children and young people under GOCE:
receive priority dental care at SA Dental Service (SADS) clinics – let them know if the child is under GOCE when making the appointment. Contact your local clinic for an appointment or use the online appointment request form
receive free dental care at SADS clinics. Child Dental Benefits Schedule benefits may be claimed and if possible the child’s Medicare Card should be brought to the first appointment
receive free orthodontic care if needed
should receive dental care within 8 weeks of entering Guardianship care
should have a dental check-up every 6 or 12 months, according to their needs from 12 months of age.
Children who receive dental care privately, don’t need to be seen by SA Dental Service – Please tell the relevant SA Dental Service clinic so they don’t continue contacting you about an appointment.
For more information, please contact your local SA Dental Service clinic.
Tell us if you need an interpreter, so one can be available at your child's appointment.
If your child has an dental emergency such as facial swelling, bleeding or trauma, during business hours, please contact one of our clinics, use the dental clinics page to find a clinic.
If your child has an emergency after hours, call healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222. For further information about healthdirect visit the SA Health healthdirect page.
For more information visit dental emergencies, what you need to know and do.