Tens of thousands of vulnerable Victorians could miss out on critical dental treatment unless the Turnbull government extends funding to affordable dental programs, the health sector and Victorian government have warned.
There are two federal schemes that fund dental treatment for children and vulnerable adults, but both expire at the end of the month.
In April the Turnbull government said it would establish a new $2.1 billion scheme, to be set up through legislation, to replace the schemes. But the laws have not passed Parliament, which has finished for 2016, throwing the sector into uncertainty.
The Victorian Healthcare Association and Victorian Health Minister Jill Hennessy have both written to federal Minister Sussan Ley urging for the current scheme to be extended.
Ms Hennessy warned that 66,000 Victorians would not receive dental care in the next six months if current funding was not extended beyond December 31.
“It is estimated that 66,000 eligible Victorians will not receive dental care in January to July 2017 alone if current funding is not maintained,” Ms Hennessy said.
“This reduction in services would likely impact on demand for other primary and tertiary services, as good oral health is critical to overall health and wellbeing.”
Some centres are already laying off staff, with up to 30 clinician jobs under threat, because of uncertainty.
“It is essential that Victorian public dental services, and their staff and clients, be provided with clear advice about arrangements beyond 31 December 2017
Ms Ley’s spokeswoman said access for children to the scheme would remain open in light of the legislation not passing the parliament.
But the Turnbull government would not say how access for adult public dental services would continue in 2017 other than to say “states will soon be advised of Commonwealth funding arrangements under the NPA [National Partnership agreement] going forward.”
In his letter Victorian Healthcare Association chief executive Tom Symondson urged Ms Ley to “step in” to ensure Victorian hospitals and health services could continue to provide public dental services.
“Untreated diseases such as dental caries or periodontal disease are associated with infection, pain, disability and social isolation,” Mr Symondson said.
“Delays in treatment can lead to more acute symptoms and secondary infections, potentially leading to hospitalisation.”
Dental admissions are the highest cause of acute preventable hospital admissions for Victorians under 20, Mr Symondson said.
Source: The Age
