Macarthur federal Labor MP Mike Freelander raised concerns in Parliament recently about the affordability of dental care.
Dr Freelander said it was getting harder for lower-income families to ensure their dental health was up to scratch and that problem would be exacerbated with proposed changes to child dental benefits.
“It is distressing to me to have to look into a child’s mouth and be able to judge their parents’ income,” Dr Freelander said.
In April, Health Minister Sussan Ley announced the Government’s intention to introduce the Child and Adult Public Dental Scheme (caPDS).
It would have replaced the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) and the National Partnership Agreement (NPA).
A spokeswoman for the minister said no changes were to be made at the moment.
“Since the caPDS has not yet been passed in legislation, the CDBS will remain open until further notice. States will soon be advised of Commonwealth funding arrangements under the NPA,” she said.
Dr Freelander admitted the issue was close to his heart as his father was a dentist. He said six out of 10 children had tooth decay by the time they were 15. He also said one in five people who needed to see a dental professional in the past 12 months decided not to because of the cost.
“We are already struggling to cope with several generations of the dental disabled. This government appears to not understand the importance of dental care to those most disadvantaged,” he said.
“It has a very distorted priority if it cannot see the importance of providing adequate dental care.”
Source: Daily Telegraph
