Thousands of children in Melbourne’s west will receive free dental care under a scheme rolling out this month.
Medicare-funded dental care for children began on January 1 and will provide up to $1000 in dental services every two years for 3.4 million Australian children in families which receive Family Tax Benefit Part A.
The $2.7 billion scheme is part of the $5 billion Dental Health Reform Package developed as part of an agreement secured by the Greens in forming a minority government with Labor.
Greens health spokesman Richard Di Natale said the package was the most significant reform of dental care in Australia’s history.
“One in three people are unable to afford to see a dentist, but all that is about to change,” he said.
“For too long we’ve treated the mouth as separate from the rest of the body, which has resulted in an oral health crisis in this country.
“This reform means millions of Australians will now be able to afford dental care. But it also lays the foundation for universal dental care in the years to come, building a healthier nation for all of us.”
Western Metropolitan Greens MP Colleen Hartland said the six-year reform package was aimed at people on low and middle incomes.
As well as subsidised basic dental treatment for children, it includes $1.3 billion for about 1.4 million additional services for adults on low incomes.
Mr Di Natale wants the government to extend Medicare to cover dentistry by 2018.
Public dental services in the western suburbs include ISIS Primary Care in St Albans and Hoppers Crossing.
