11 May 2010
The gaping hole in dental care remains after the Federal Budget failed to include any funding for public
dental services, according to the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA).
The AHHA is the peak national body representing public hospitals, area health services, community
health centres and public aged care providers.
"The AHHA welcomes COAG's commitment to a universal and equitable health system however this
commitment is undermined by the failure of successive Governments to ensure better access to dental
care for all Australians. The result is that Australia is a country where the poor and disadvantaged can
be identified by the state of their teeth," Ms Prue Power, Executive Director, said today.
"The AHHA is appalled that the Government and Opposition have failed to reach agreement on even
the most basic program to help at least 300,000 people in desperate need of oral health care. The
Commonwealth Dental Health Program (CDHP) would have seen well over half a million pensioners and
low income earners gain timely access to dental treatment and restoration. This program was part of
the Rudd Government's election platform in 2007 and it has never seen the light of day.
"It has been convenient for the Federal Government to treat the Senate stalemate over dental care as
an apparent budget-saving measure. The CDHP is a relatively small amount of money ($290 million
over three years). But the Government made its implementation contingent on closure of the previous
Coalition Government's Medicare Chronic Disease Dental Plan.
"In this same period, however, due to the Rudd Government's failure to even attempt resolution of the
conflict, the Medicare program has continued unabated which has ended up costing significantly more
than the CDHP would have. The stubbornness in resisting negotiation has made this a budget blow-
out.
"Ultimately, AHHA supports the proposal from the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission
for a universal dental program, such as Denticare, which focuses on providing preventive care and is
integrated with other components of our health system. The Government should work towards this
aim through incremental steps which initially focus on ensuring better access to affordable and timely
oral health care for those who need it most. Implementing a public dental health program immediately
will build the foundations of a Denticare-like program. This includes addressing key factors such as the
need to build the dental workforce needed to meet the increased demand for dental care that would
flow from improved affordability of private dental care and an enhanced public dental sector.
"We cannot have a high quality and comprehensive health system unless we ensure that all Australians
can readily access and afford preventive and restorative dental care. The continuing failure to include
oral health in the current reform process will undermine COAG's stated commitment to a universal
health system for all Australians.
"We urgently call on the Government to adopt the common-sense policy position proposed by the
AHHA to revise the Medicare program and implement the Commonwealth Dental Health Program as
promised – this will be a sure election winner," Ms Power said.
To engage in the debate, come to Chomping Into Reform in Melbourne on 3-4 June. To view the
For further information/comment:
Ms Prue Power 0417 419 857
Dental hole left by Budget
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