Government MPs call for dental funding

According to a story in The Age today, Government backbenchers are supporting the reintroduction of federal funding for public dental services.

"Worried that the Coalition will be punished at the polls over a blow-out in dental waiting lists, several backbenchers have urged the Prime Minister to reintroduce Commonwealth funding. The Government dumped the Commonwealth dental scheme 10 years ago."

The Age story notes that "There are an estimated 650,000 people on public dental waiting lists — and increasing media attention on those affected, with stories such as elderly people pulling out their teeth with pliers."

Liberal backbencher Dr Andrew Laming is reported to have told a Coalition meeting yesterday that "while dental services were technically a state responsibility, access was now so bad that the Federal Government would not escape the electorate's anger about the situation".

Liberal Party sources have advised that it could cost more than $1 billion to clear public dental waiting lists across Australia.

The Age suggests that Mr Laming's proposal was broadly supported by several colleagues, including Liberal senator Guy Barnett, Nationals MP Paul Neville and Liberal MP Danna Vale.