New Dental Health Scheme For Children To Launch In Tasmania
Health bosses have announced a new dental scheme for children is to be launched in Tasmania.
The Grow Up Smiling Scheme will begin next January with the aim of treating around 89,000 children. The project is part of a federal funding package unveiled by Health Minister, Tanya Plibersek.
The scheme will cost in the region of $70 million and is part of a funding deal worth $120 million between the state government and Canberra.
The news has been welcomed by the Tasmanian wing of the Australian Dental Association. However, President Wayne Ottaway stressed that the funding should be used to provide preventative dental care for children.
Mr Ottaway said the association should be approached for input into the way the money is used in order to avoid the mistakes made when the Chronic Disease Dental Scheme was axed.
Ms Plibersek also confirmed that Tasmania would receive an additional cash injection worth $40 million from July next year. The funding will be used to provide access to discounted dental care for the elderly, lone parents and concession card holders.
There are currently 14,000 people on the dental waiting list in Tasmania and it is hoped the funding will help to reduce this and improve access to affordable dental care. Canberra will provide around $12.3 million to Tasmania over the course of the next 8 months in order to recruit new dentists, extend opening hours and buy new equipment.
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