New data has shown that there is a massive underuse of a dental scheme that gives free dental care to Australians from newborn to 17 years old.

The Australian Dental Association has found that only one in three families who are eligible for free dental care as part of the government’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule actually use it.

The survey conducted by the ADA found the scheme is surrounded by a lot of misinformation and confusion, leaving many parents either unaware of the scheme’s existence or unsure of their eligibility.

Of those who believed they’re eligible for the scheme, only 56 per cent have used it for their children.

This uncertainty can leave many young Australians at risk of poor dental health.

President of the ADA, Dr Chris Sanzaro, is now calling on the government to promote the scheme better so that more Australian families are able to access it.

“This leaves millions of eligible Australian families either going without dental care or paying more out of pocket than they need to, when it could so well fund a child’s first dental visit,” he said.

“It’s a scheme that’s shrouded in mystery and confusion,” he continued.

For eligible families, the scheme  provides up to $1132 over two years for dental services such as examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals and extractions for children up to the age of 17.

“We’re keen to work with the government to help clarify the basic elements of the scheme and promote it to patients and parents to ensure millions of kids are getting the dental treatment and care they need to set them up with healthy mouths early in life,” Sanzaro said.