My School Dentist
Oral health is fundamental to a child’s general health and well-being.
A child’s oral health is more important than you may realise. For two in five Australian children experiencing tooth decay in their baby teeth and one in four in their permanent teeth, it can cause significant pain, discomfort and embarrassment. And yet, there is no reason for them to suffer. Many aspects of oral disease – including dental caries – are preventable and can be treated in their early stages with routine dental examinations, preventive care and oral health education.
The largest program of its kind, My School Dentist is an onsite dental program which supports convenient access to no out of pocket expense oral health care and education to students at kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools.
My School Dentist directly sets out to improve oral health outcomes and reduce the burden of poor oral health on children and adolescents, with a particular focus on lower social-economic, regional and remote communities. We operate as a fully functional, award-winning mobile dental team utilising quality mobile dental equipment and specifically formulated oral health strategies.
About our My School Dentist Program
Meet ‘Clarrie’ our Dental Semi-Trailer
Award-Winning Team
All clinicians share a passion for good oral health and a dedication to providing quality dental care, giving children and teenagers the best opportunity for a healthy start to life.
Health Promotion Charity
As a registered health promotion charity, the Australian Dental Foundation sets out to promote prevention of oral diseases, with the purpose of bettering the health and well-being of disadvantaged Australians.
Free Basic Dental For All Children*
All participating students are seen at *no out of pocket expense, regardless of their eligibility for the Child’s Dental Benefit Schedule and/or health cover.
Largest Program of its Kind
Since inception, My School Dentist has improved the oral health of many Australian children and teenagers, to ensure health and well-being into adulthood.
FAQ
For Parents
My School Dentist will visit your child’s school to undertake an initial dental check-up during school time, with one or more of the following depending on your child’s needs: x-rays, clean, fluoride treatment, dietary advice and/or oral hygiene instruction.
If your child requires further follow-up treatment, our team will contact you to discuss the available options and obtain consent prior to performing any additional treatment. If no further treatment is required, your child will be seen in the next 6 to 12 months for their routine dental check-up.
After the dental check-up, children will be sent home with an oral health report card and free oral health pack, as well as you will be contacted by the treating dentist via phone regarding their appointment.
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is a dental benefits program that provides eligible children with financial assistance (capped at $1,013) for basic dental services over a 2-year calendar period.
Services that receive a benefit under the program include check-ups, x-rays, teeth cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals and extractions.
Benefits are not available for orthodontic or cosmetic dental work and cannot be used for any services provided in a hospital.
To be eligible for CDBS, a child must be:
- Aged between 0 -17 years of age for at least 1 day of the calendar year
- Eligible for Medicare
- Receive or be part of a family receiving the Family Tax Benefit-A or other eligible Australian Government payment
When you register your child for My School Dentist, our team will check your child’s eligibility on your behalf.
You can also confirm your eligibility by accessing your Medicare online account at my.gov.au or calling Medicare general enquiries line 132 011.
Even if your child is not eligible for the CDBS, they will still be able to participate in the My School Dentist program at no-out-of-pocket expense, with or without healthcare.
My School Dentist is a no-out-of-pocket expense for all participating children and teens, regardless of their eligibility for CDBS.
This program does not include orthodontic or cosmetic dental.
You do not need to attend your child’s appointment, but if you wish to, please ensure to specify this on the consent form. Our team will then call you to arrange a suitable time for you and your child to see the dentist together.
If My School Dentist is coming to your child’s kindergarten, primary school or secondary school, your child will be given a patient pack. Prior to the deadline, please fill out all the forms inside and return the envelope they came in to your child’s school.
Unfortunately, orthodontic treatment is not included in My School Dentist nor is eligible for CDBS, however, we can refer your child to a local orthodontist if they require an orthodontic assessment.
If you have any further questions, please contact us.
For Schools/Kindergartens
Schools and/or Kindergartens can register their interest for My School Dentist by completing and emailing a registration form.
A dentist and dental assistant will visit your school and/or kindergarten to deliver oral health care onsite in a 3m x 3m room (as a minimum requirement) with access to running water. An ADF representative will work with your school/kindergarten to deliver the program with minimal disruption to you and your students, in line with National Standards (NSQHS), local regulations and site requirements.
My School Dentist will visit students at your school to undertake an initial dental check-up during school time, with one or more of the following depending on the student’s needs: x-rays, clean, fluoride treatment, dietary advice and/or oral hygiene instruction.
If a student requires further follow-up treatment, our team will contact the parent/legal guardian to discuss the available options and obtain consent prior to performing any additional treatment. If no further treatment is required, a student will be seen in the next 6 to 12 months for their routine dental check-up.
After the dental check-up, students will be sent home with an oral health report card and free oral health pack, as well as the parent/legal guardian will be contacted by the treating dentist via phone regarding their appointment.
Site visits occur every 6 to 12 months to ensure students thrive and grow up to be healthy adults.
My School Dentist is free for all public and private schools and/or kindergartens. There is never any cost to host our program onsite.
*no out of pocket expense
My School Dentist is no out of pocket expense for all participating students, regardless of their eligibility for CDBS.
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is a dental benefits program that provides eligible children with financial assistance (capped at $1,013) for basic dental services over a 2-year calendar period.
Services that receive a benefit under the program include check-ups, x-rays, teeth cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals and extractions.
Benefits are not available for orthodontic or cosmetic dental work and cannot be used for any services provided in a hospital.
To be eligible for CDBS, a child must be:
- Aged between 0-17 years of age for at least 1 day of the calendar year
- Eligible for Medicare
- Receive or be part of a family receiving the Family Tax Benefit-A or a relevant Australian Government payment
Teacher’s do not need to attend their student’s appointment, but if parents wish to, we can arrange a suitable time for the parent and the student to see the dentist together.
If you have any further questions, please contact us.