New Zealand set to introduce subsidised dental care
Kiwis will soon benefit from subsidised dental care, according to the leader of the Progessive Party, Jim Anderton.
Mr Anderton said that subsidised dental care would soon become part of the health service; this will enable all citizens to access affordable dental care and improve national standards of oral health.
Currently, dental care is free for under 18’s but adults struggle to afford treatment and consequently almost 50 percent of New Zealanders don’t visit their dentist on a regular basis. A reformed health system would offer affordable care to all citizens and help people to enjoy good general and dental health.
Mr Anderton said it would cost around one billion dollars to include subsidised dental care into the national health system; however, significant savings would be made because treatment would prevent conditions getting worse and needing emergency medical treatment. Currently, patients are waiting until they have severe symptoms to get treatment in a bid to save money and in turning up at emergency departments with serious oral health conditions.
Subsidised dental care would promote good oral health and hygiene and offer people preventive treatments that would reduce the risk of them suffering from serious dental health conditions in the future. Treating people early on will save a considerable amount of money in the future; for example, filling a cavity costs a lot less than performing root canal treatment and fitting replacement crowns.
Mr Anderton said the new plans would be introduced in stages and would gradually enable everyone to access affordable dental care. To begin with, the plans would target children, pregnant women and retired people.
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About time! Someone with the drive and initiative to start the process of affordable dental care. First in line should be the underclass of people on long term benefits such as the mentally and chronically ill. Winz currently does not pay for a crown – deeming it to be almost a luxury! There has been no increase by Winz and their emergency dental money – currently $300.00 per year for each client for many years. How wonderful to see preventative care in action.