New Dental Scheme Passed By The Senate

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A new dental scheme, which will provide free dental care to more than three million children has been passed by the Australian Senate.

The new scheme will replace the existing Chronic Dental Disease Scheme, which was introduced over a decade ago; the scheme will draw to a close at the end of this month.

The new dental package is worth more than $4 billion and will operate over a six-year period. $2.7 billion will be spent on children’s dental care, $1.3 billion will be spent on adults on low incomes and more than $225 million will be invested in expanding existing dental services in remote and outer metropolitan areas.

The scheme will come into play on the 1st January 2014; children from families that receive Family Tax Benefit Part A and other state benefits will be entitled to subsidised dental care up to the value of $1000 over a two-year period for routine dental treatments. Adults on low incomes who have concession cards will also receive discounted dental care.

Jan McLucas, Government front-bencher, said that investing in children will help to turn the nation’s dental health status around. Over the last twenty years, standards of oral health have been declining and action must be taken now to prevent another generation suffering from poor oral health, according to McLucas.

Senator McLucas said that the new scheme will enable children from low income families to access dental care; improved standards of oral health will also help to relive pressure on the wider health network in the future.

 

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