Welfare groups unite to push for new dental scheme

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Welfare and patient support groups are uniting to push for a new dental scheme in Australia.

The groups are trying to encourage ministers and politicians to include dental care as a major election issue, with many citizens in Australia suffering from poor oral health as a result of a lack of access to affordable dental care.

Over the course of the last few years, a considerable amount of money has been ploughed into health services across the country; however, dentistry has not been included in these initiatives and some people are being forced to wait up to three years for routine dental treatment. Dental professionals and representatives from dental organisations are extremely disappointed that ministers have failed to realise the importance of good oral health and are appealing for a significant change in policy. Clare Martin, chief executive of the Australian Council of Social Service, said that dentistry was lagging behind other health departments and people were not getting the service they deserved.

Back in 2007, the government pledged to establish a new dental scheme, which would improve access to affordable care and drastically reduce waiting list times; however, with time running out and a severe lack of attention on dentistry over the last three years, it seems that this promise will go unfulfilled. The current system, which involves providing care by means of Medicare, is clearly not working and there were hopes that the system would be replaced by one which covers a larger number of patients but offers a smaller range of treatments.

The Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association has criticised the senate and condemned their behaviour and constant negligence when it comes to oral healthcare. Chief executive, Prue Power said the constant slanging matches and lack of inclusion of oral health in general healthcare policies undermines the universal approach to health that is supposed to be championed by health services in Australia. Meanwhile, while the arguments and debates continue, people all over the country are suffering from oral health conditions, which will only get worse while they spend months waiting for the care they need.

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