8. Dental Services
8.1 Overview of the public dental system
Oral Health Victoria (OHV) was set up in 1996 and is the leading public oral health agency in Victoria. The Victorian Government funds OHV to provide clinical dental services.
OHV provides dental services through The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne (RDHM). It also purchases dental services from over 50 community health agencies throughout Victoria.
Professional tool: eligibility, access, & fees for public dental care
Navigating public dental care can be tricky. This tool breaks down who’s eligible, who gets priority, and when fees apply. Print a copy or save it to your desktop for quick access whenever questions come up.
Eligibility
Public dental services are provided to eligible Victorians through community dental agencies in community health services, rural hospitals and the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne.
The following people living in Victoria are eligible for public dental services:
- all children aged 0–12 years
Important note for MCHN:All children attending Key Ages and Stages visits are eligible for free or low-cost dental care. Please ensure all families are informed about this opportunity. |
- young people aged 13–17 years who hold a healthcare or pensioner concession card, or who are dependants of concession card holders
- people aged 18 years and over, who are health care or pensioner concession card holders or dependants of concession card holders
- all children and young people in out-of-home care provided by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), up to 18 years of age (including kinship and foster care)
- all people in youth justice custodial care
- all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples
- all refugees and asylum seekers.
Types of care offered at each service
Priority access
Eligible Victorians who have priority access to dental care are offered the next available appointment for general care. They are not placed on the general waiting list.
The following groups have priority access to care:
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples
- children and young people (under 18 years of age)
- people experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness
- People who are pregnant
- refugees and asylum seekers
- registered clients of mental health or disability services, who have a letter or recommendation from their case manager or a special development school
- If the person has denture care needs, then they will also be offered the next available appointment for denture care or placed on the priority denture waiting list.
All other people seeking routine dental (or denture) care will be placed on the waiting list.
Fee exemptions
Providers of public dental care do not charge fees to:
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples
- people experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness
- refugees and asylum seekers
- children and young people aged 0-17 years who hold a health care or pensioner concession card, or who are dependants of concession card holders
- all children and young people who are in out-of-home care provided by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) (including kinship and foster care), up to 18 years of age
- all people in youth justice custodial care
- registered clients of mental health or disability services, who have a letter or recommendation from their case manager or a special development school.
- people receiving care from undergraduate students
- people experiencing financial hardship (as assessed by a qualified staff member)
- Children aged 0-17 years who qualify for The Child Dental Benefit Schedule (CDBS)
- See ‘Section 8.4- Child Dental Benefit Schedule (CDBS)’ for more details
To learn more about the fee schedule for adults, see: Victoria's public dental care fees
8.2 Access to the public dental system for children under 12
- All children living in Victoria 0-12 years old are eligible to access the public dental system through community dental agency or the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne (with some cross border arrangements in place).
- Children receive general oral health advice as well as dental check-ups and treatment.
- Children will receive priority access, meaning they do not have to go on a waiting list and will be given the next available appointment.
- This service is free for those who hold a valid health care card or concession card or who are dependants of card holders or meet another criteria for free public dental care (see full list above).
- This service is free for those who are eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.
- For those who do not qualify for fees free care: As of 2025, it is $38* for a general course of care (includes an examination and all general dental treatment). Fees per family will not exceed $152*
* Fees are subject to change and increase by about 50 cents annually.
If a family is worried about upfront costs and is not eligible for fee free treatment: please inform them payment plans are available through the public dental services |
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When should children visit a Dental Practitioner, and how frequently?
By one year of age is a good time for a child’s first visit to a Dental Practitioner. These early appointments help create a positive experience for both the child and parent and support the early detection and prevention of oral health issues.
During the first visit, the Dental Practitioner will assess the child’s oral health and recommend the frequency of future dental check-ups.
As a Maternal and Child Health Nurse, you will conduct mouth checks during Key ages and Stages visits, in between dental appointments. These checks are especially important because deciduous teeth are softer and smaller than permanent teeth, meaning a child’s oral health can change rapidly.
If you or a parent/carer suspect a dental concern at any time, including between dental check-ups, the child should be referred to a Dental Practitioner immediately for further assessment and care.
8.3 Type of treatment and care for children
Following an examination, treatment and care provided may include:
- scaling and cleaning (removal plaque and tartar build up from teeth)
- application of fluoride varnish
- fillings in deciduous and permanent teeth
- radiographs (x-rays)
- extractions
- oral hygiene instruction and dietary advice
- fissure (dental) sealants - (tooth-coloured plastic film that is professionally applied to the deep groves on the back of the teeth where decay most often starts)
In Australia, a range of Dental Practitioners registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) may provide dental healthcare. This includes dentists, dental specialists, dental therapists, oral health therapists, dental hygienists and dental prosthetists. Depending on your child's oral healthcare needs, you may see one or more of these Dental Practitioners.
Generally, dental therapists provide general dental care, while more complex care is performed by dentists. Referrals to dental specialists can also be arranged for eligible children. One of the main reasons children are referred to the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne is for treatment under a general anaesthetic. Children may be referred by any dental service provider, including community dental agency or private oral health professionals.
8.4 Child Dental Benefit Schedule (CDBS)
What is CDBS?
The Child Dental Benefit Schedule (CDBS) is an Australian Government program that provides eligible children aged 0–17 with financial support for basic dental services. Covering up to $1,132 over two consecutive calendar years, the CDBS includes essential services such as examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fillings, and extractions. It aims to improve access to dental care and promote oral health in children from low- to middle-income families.
Who is eligible?
- Children aged 0 to 17
- Eligible for Medicare
- You or your Child is getting Family Tax Benefit Part A or other relevant Australian government payment
There are many families who may not be eligible for a healthcare card but are eligible for the CDBS. Families can check their eligibility for the program:
8.5 The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne (RDHM)
Located in Carlton, the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne provides general, specialist, denture and emergency care to eligible Victorians.
For more information, go to https://www.rdhm.org.au/
General enquiries
Telephone: (03) 9341 1000 or 1800 833 039 for country calls
Location: 720 Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria, Australia, 3053
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday only: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency
Telephone: 1300 360 054 (standard charges apply)
Location: 720 Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria, Australia, 3053
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 p.m.
Weekends and public holidays: 9:00 a.m. to 9:15 p.m
8.6 Find your local community dental agencies
By being familiar with local public dental agencies, can support families to access dental care from the first tooth. You can reassure families that public dental agencies happily welcome young children, and that clinicians are experienced and skilled at fostering positive interactions for children in a dental setting.
8.7 Private dental clinics
Some families may choose to visit a private family dentist. In some areas, local private dental clinics may be more accessible for families if there is no community dental agency nearby.
Families with the appropriate level of private health insurance may be eligible for rebates for private dental care. Certain private dental clinics also participate in the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).
Private dentists can be found through the Australian Dental Association's website.
Please ensure families are aware:
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