Dental Health

Chronic Disease Dental Scheme

Medicare dental items (Medicare items 85011-87777) are available for people with chronic conditions and complex care needs, on referral from a GP. Eligible patients can access up to $4,250 in Medicare benefits for dental services over two consecutive calendar years.

Important note

The Medicare Chronic Disease Dental Scheme continues to operate and there is no closure date set at this stage. The Government attempted to close the Scheme in 2008 but the necessary legislative instrument was disallowed by the Senate. The closure was to make funding available for the introduction of a new Commonwealth Dental Health Program. The Government has stated its intention to close the Scheme, but at this stage the Scheme remains open.

Information for patients

Information for GPs

Fact sheet for GPs
GP referral form (PDF 39 KB)
GP referral form (Word 359 KB)

Information for dental practitioners

Fact sheet for Dentists and Dental Specialists
Fact sheet for dental prosthetists
Medicare Benefits Schedule - Dental Services (PDF 184KB)
Dental practitioner checklist (PDF 18 KB)

Further information

GPs and dental practitioners can call the Medicare Provider Enquiry Line on 132 150 for queries about provider registration, claiming/billing, and checking patient eligibility. Information is also available at www.medicareaustralia.gov.au

Patients can call the Medicare Patient Enquiry Line on 132 011.

Previous Medicare EPC dental items (Medicare items 10975-10977)

The EPC dental items 10975-10977 are no longer available. These items ceased on 31 December 2007.