The Wire

While the focus on health leading up to the next election has been a controversial affair with both parties trying to win over the blue rinse set, an area largely overlooked is dental health. Given that a trip to the dentist will set you back at least a hundred bucks, it’s no wonder that those Australians with the worst dental health are those socio-economically disadvantaged, this includes Indigenous Australians, and the elderly. So what are the major parties promising? Well, the ALP said they’d re-introduce a Commonwealth public dental health scheme boosting funding by $300 million over 4 years, while the Liberal Party has been resoundingly silent. The Democrats said they’d put a substantial amount into care for Indigenous Australians and suggested dental health outreach for the homeless. While the Greens have proposed a universal health care approach. President of the Australian Dental Association, David Houghton, is calling for solid funding commitments for dental health in Australia. They’ve identified key areas such as assisting the million people currently on dental waiting lists, workforce shortages – especially in rural and regional areas, a commitment to water fluoridation, and substantial assistance for the Indigenous community and the elderly who are often unable to access adequate treatment. They’re also pushing for widespread oral health promotion in the Australian community.