Media Release 25 January 2024
Releasing its 2024-25 Pre-Budget Submission today, the National Oral Health Alliance (NOHA) calls on the Australian Government to take immediate action to reduce the costs of dental care for low-income Australians, establish a Senior Dental Benefits Scheme and take leadership for urgently needed public oral healthcare reform.
Oral diseases place a considerable burden on individuals, families and the community. “Too many people cannot afford to access essential oral healthcare when they need it. Australia ranks third for the highest prevalence of complete tooth loss for persons aged 60 years and older, about one in three, when compared to other countries in the Western Pacific Region,” states Mr Tan Nguyen, NOHA’s Spokesperson.
NOHA recommends and supports a preventative-focused and integrative approach to oral health policy including:
- Appoint a Commonwealth Chief Dental Officer
- Implement the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recommendation to establish a Senior Dental Benefits Scheme and other recommendations pertinent to oral health
- Increase Commonwealth Government funding for public dental services
- Fund and implement a co-designed National Oral Health Plan 2025-2034 which aligns with the social determinants of health and is grounded by the principles and objectives of the World Health Organization’s Strategy on Oral Health 2023-2030
Although various funding options for a roadmap towards universal access to affordable oral healthcare have been proposed by the Parliamentary Budget Office, financially and socially disadvantaged Australians with greater oral health needs should be prioritised. NOHA submitted the joint 2024-25 Pre-Budget Submission, highlighting immediate and urgent strategic budget funding priorities for oral health.
Australian Council of Social Service CEO Ms Cassandra Goldie states that “Dental health care is now completely out of reach for many people on low incomes. The outof-pocket costs to see private providers are prohibitive and wait lists for public dental services are too long. Direct investment in public dental services would deliver major health benefits for people experiencing disadvantage and provide cost of living relief for low income households.”
According to COTA Australia CEO, Ms Patricia Sparrow, “Too many Australians, including many pensioners and people living in a nursing home, are delaying or ignoring crucial dental work because they simply can’t afford it. Commitment to a dental scheme that improves the overall health of older Australians is an essential first step the Australian Government needs to take.”
Consumers Health Forum of Australia CEO Dr Elizabeth Deveny said “Dental care in Australia is not where it should be for a country like ours and we have great ways to go, largely through investment, to ensure that people’s oral health continually improves. Consumers have for some time told us that the cost involved in seeing a dental practitioner often stops them going. Now is the time for the government to take meaningful action as recommended by the Senate inquiry”.
NOHA calls on the Australian Government to significantly increase its investment in safeguarding the nation’s oral health. All Australians, regardless of personal circumstances, should have timely access to a safe, quality, equitable, cost-effective and sustainable health system that includes oral health.
Media Contact:
Mr Tan Nguyen
Spokesperson, National Oral Health Alliance
E: tan.nguyen@deakin.edu.au
M: +61 432 715 420
- ENDS -
NOHA Members supporting this Media Release:
- Australian Council of Social Service
- Australian Dental Association
- Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists’ Association
- Australian Dental Prosthetists Association
- Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association
- Consumers Health Forum of Australia
- COTA Australia - the leading advocacy organisation for older people
- Dental Hygienists Association of Australia
- La Trobe University Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research
- National Rural Health Alliance
- Public Health Association of Australia
- Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia
