The Wire

Warnings today that without proper attention to indigenous dental health – Australia will face an unmanageable crisis over spiralling indigenous health problems in the next five to ten years. The Chair of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation NACCHO, says the government must prioritise the needs of indigenous people as part of the dental health initiatives in the new Medicare reforms. Mr. McCartney says providing an urgent response to oral health needs will have the positive spin-off – of preventing related health problems. Chair of the National Rural Health Alliance, Sue McAlpin says they would like to see a bi-partisan response.