Dental scheme for young, low paid gains expert backing
Mark Metherell
February 24, 2012


A ''DENTICARE'' scheme which includes oral care for all young people and low-income earners is understood to be the central recommendation in an expert report to the government.   

The dental advisory panel commissioned by the Gillard government last year is believed in its final report to have called for dental services, potentially costing billions of dollars, to be expanded through a mix of private and public dental clinics.

The report steps up pressure on the government to deliver a credible first step on dental care or face a parliamentary fight with the Greens, who were promised a significant first step towards Denticare.   


The report has been prompted by a widespread lack of access to dental care urgently needed by more than 600,000 Australians who cannot afford dentists.

The report may be released next week and would come amid indications that prime-ministerial aspirant Kevin Rudd is looking at offering a stepped-up dental scheme.

It is understood the expert advisory report recommends that the government look at proposals for the provision of care by private dentists for treatment up to a capped amount and look at ways to expand strained public dental clinics. 

The government has already undertaken to spend $165 million over three years to expand dental services for the disadvantaged. The promise was given to win Greens support for the increased Medicare levy surcharge contained in legislation for health insurance changes.   

The Greens have argued that the government subsidies for health insurance are inequitable, giving people with insurance, who are mostly on higher incomes, a greater federal subsidy for dental care than that available to uninsured low-income earners.

Greens health spokesman Dr Richard Di Natale said his party was keen to see a credible scheme that targeted low-income earners and children.   

Senator Di Natale said developments such as school dental clinic expansion to treat children would be welcome.

Health Minister Tanya Plibersek has been cautious about promising any more spending than the $165 million pledged last week, but said future developments would depend on curtailing the Medicare chronic disease dental scheme and ''making sure those schemes actually do what they are supposed to do and target the most disadvantaged people in our community''.


Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/dental-scheme-for-young-low-paid-gains-expert-backing-20120223-1tqmu.html#ixzz1nFFDGXE4

My dentist thinks that Dentacare will bankrupt the country.

Of course, she's not on a low income with a toothache.

Dentists are the used-car salesmen of the medical fraternity.

She pointed to the UK as an example. I have no idea what went on there and my mouth was full at the time, so I didn't ask.

Does anybody know?

Now my income is what would be counted as low, but i do pay for private health & dental. All i can see this policy do is drive up my insurance costs. Why is the greens and other lefties so adamant on driving up costs for low income earners who pay their own way?

Could it be because some low income people cant afford it.  Also let us remember, there are low income people, that are on the very bare minimum.   

BlOoDy RiPpEr wrote on Feb 24^th, 2012 at 9:43am:

You a said you were on the board of a major corporation before, I cant believe a word you are saying anymore. ...

So you can see why i get pissed off with any form of handout. been screwed by an inlaw, keep getting screwed from the government because i pay my own way. tell you what,, my arse cant much more of being screwed.