RELIEF IN SIGHT FOR DENTAL SUFFERERS September 19, 2007

Thousands of people on dental waiting lists in the Central West will welcome the announcement that a Rudd Labor Government will invest up to $290 million in a Commonwealth Dental Health Program.

Bob Debus, the Labor candidate for Macquarie, said the program would fund up to one million additional dental consultations.

“The Howard Government scrapped the Commonwealth Dental Health Program in 1996,” said Mr Debus.

“It’s outrageous that the Government of a prosperous nation like Australia can preside over the rapid disintegration of public dental health.

“Healthy teeth and gums are fundamental to overall good health. Labor is determined to restore quality public dental care to working families.”

Mr Debus said the extra funding would hasten the delivery of dental treatment for the 5700 people on the Greater Western Area Health Service waiting list. This includes 593 people waiting for treatment in Bathurst, Orange and Cowra, and 762 people waiting for dentures. The delay in receiving dentures has stretched to two years.

The announcement is the first installment of Labor’s Commonwealth Dental Health Program. Nationally, 650,000 people are languishing on public dental waiting lists.

The 2007 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report concluded that:

1 30 per cent of Australians reported avoiding dental care due to cost
2 20.6 per cent said that cost had prevented them from having recommended dental treatment
3 18.2 per cent reported that they would have a lot of difficulty paying a $100 dental bill

“Under Labor’s plan, over three years, up to one million Australians will finally receive much needed dental treatment,” said Mr Debus.

“This is great news for the Central West. The Howard Government’s neglect of dental services has gone on for too long.

“The Prime Minister’s ignorance of the pain being felt by so many people on dental waiting lists is yet another sign that he has lost touch.”