Australia's dental health in poor state
Why should I believe Australia would be any different then the other countries.Access to care by some groups of the population has always been problematic and will probably stay that way. Money is not the only obstacle to care. Just my thoughts.. MJ
HALF of Australia would struggle to pay for a basic preventative dental treatment, a new survey shows, and most people want the Federal Government to help meet the cost.
Activist forum Australia Fair, which is backed by The Australian Council of Social Service, said their survey revealed "gaping holes in the care and treatment of Australians' teeth and gums".
It found nine in ten people think regular visits to the dentist are important to maintain healthy teeth and mouths, but almost one quarter said they hadn't seen a dentist for more than two years.
About 46 per cent of people reported it would be difficult for them to shell out the estimated $300 for basic preventative treatment; and the same number said that cost of care influenced their decision to see a dentist regularly.
Three quarters said the Federal Government should share the cost of dental care, and only five per cent thought it should be just a state government responsibility.
"This research reinforces the fact that Australia has a crisis in access to dental care, particularly for low income and disadvantaged Australians," ACOSS Executive Director Andrew Johnson said.
"The survey also shows popular support for Federal Government action on dental care.
"With large budget surpluses and a strong economy, it's not fair that one in four Australians have told us they have not seen a dentist for two years or longer."
ACOSS wants Australians to lobby the Federal Government to fund dental care for people on low incomes.
In 1996 the newly-elected Federal Government scrapped the national dental scheme, handing sole responsibility for dental care to state governments.
The public dental waiting list has since blown out to 650,000 people.
Labor has pledged to restore the scheme, but is yet to release any details of its policy.
Health Minister Tony Abbott said the states should take responsibility for the problem.
But the May federal budget increased funding for a poorly-used Medicare scheme that gives dental care to people with a chronic illness, if that illness would be exacerbated by poor oral health.
The survey was conducted by Roy Morgan Research early last month.
HALF of Australia would struggle to pay for a basic preventative dental treatment, a new survey shows, and most people want the Federal Government to help meet the cost.
Activist forum Australia Fair, which is backed by The Australian Council of Social Service, said their survey revealed "gaping holes in the care and treatment of Australians' teeth and gums".
It found nine in ten people think regular visits to the dentist are important to maintain healthy teeth and mouths, but almost one quarter said they hadn't seen a dentist for more than two years.
About 46 per cent of people reported it would be difficult for them to shell out the estimated $300 for basic preventative treatment; and the same number said that cost of care influenced their decision to see a dentist regularly.
Three quarters said the Federal Government should share the cost of dental care, and only five per cent thought it should be just a state government responsibility.
"This research reinforces the fact that Australia has a crisis in access to dental care, particularly for low income and disadvantaged Australians," ACOSS Executive Director Andrew Johnson said.
"The survey also shows popular support for Federal Government action on dental care.
"With large budget surpluses and a strong economy, it's not fair that one in four Australians have told us they have not seen a dentist for two years or longer."
ACOSS wants Australians to lobby the Federal Government to fund dental care for people on low incomes.
In 1996 the newly-elected Federal Government scrapped the national dental scheme, handing sole responsibility for dental care to state governments.
The public dental waiting list has since blown out to 650,000 people.
Labor has pledged to restore the scheme, but is yet to release any details of its policy.
Health Minister Tony Abbott said the states should take responsibility for the problem.
But the May federal budget increased funding for a poorly-used Medicare scheme that gives dental care to people with a chronic illness, if that illness would be exacerbated by poor oral health.
The survey was conducted by Roy Morgan Research early last month.
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