Australia: Billions Are Spent On Dental Care

ELEANOR HALL: In the midst of the turmoil over the Labor leadership yesterday, the Federal Government released the final report from its National Advisory Council on Dental Health.

The council recommends a range of options to work towards the goal of universal dental care, including one plan that would cost around $10 billion over the next four years. 

But the Government is not yet willing to commit to that level of investment, as it focuses on its goal of returning the budget to surplus.

In Canberra, Naomi Woodley reports. 

NAOMI WOODLEY: The Health Minister Tanya Plibersek released the report yesterday afternoon, but she says it wasn't a deliberate strategy to reduce public scrutiny of its proposals.

TANYA PLIBERSEK: The report was given to the Government late last week and the agreement was always that we would receive it and three working days later it would be released publicly. 

NAOMI WOODLEY: The advisory council was set up in September and given the task to provide the Government with advice on different options for dental policy.

It's made a series of recommendations to work towards the final goal of a universal Medicare style scheme. One of the most complex would cost around $10 billion over the next four years to ensure all children and low income adults have access to appropriate dental care. 

Dr Shane Fryer is the president of the Australian Dental Association, and is on the advisory council. He welcomes the specific focus on children and those already on public waiting lists. 



Read more of the source: http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2012/s3441125.htm - Dental Care In Australia