Australian parties urged to focus on oral health
A number of dentists, health experts and community groups have urged the major political parties to focus their attention on oral health.
The Oral Health Alliance will embark upon a campaign to encourage politicians to take oral health seriously and improve the current standard of services across the country.
Currently, 1 in 3 Australians are waiting for dental care and waiting lists are getting longer each year. Under the current system, low income families are struggling to access affordable dental care and are being forced to put off seeing a dentist because they cannot afford the treatment. Representatives from the Alliance also said that there was a lack of equality across the country, with some regions better served by public dentists than others.
Research has shown that those on a low income, indigenous people and people from rural communities are suffering from poor oral health due to a lack of public service and affordable care.
Neil Hewson, from the Australian Dental Association, said that it is extremely important for people on a low income to be treated efficiently and effectively; he went on to say that oral health should be a priority for political parties and those with medical cards should be catered for first. Hewson also wants high profile educational campaigns to teach people about the importance of oral health and encourage people to look after their teeth and gums.
Chairman of the Australian Health Care Reform Alliance, Tony McBride, said that he was eager to put oral health high up on the agenda.
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