Federal Budget 2007 - dental highlights
Key initiatives affecting dental services and the future availability of sufficient dental care providers, especially in rural areas, are outlined in extracts from the Federal Budget Papers below.
"Dental school — Charles Sturt University
The Government will provide $65.1 million over four years for the establishment of a new regional dental school at the Charles Sturt University, including the construction of residential accommodation for students.
The funding will provide for 60 additional dentistry places: 30 in a five-year dentistry course and 30 in a three‑year paradental course. Rural training encourages graduates to pursue careers in rural areas. "
The Government will provide $65.1 million over four years for the establishment of a new regional dental school at the Charles Sturt University, including the construction of residential accommodation for students.
The funding will provide for 60 additional dentistry places: 30 in a five-year dentistry course and 30 in a three‑year paradental course. Rural training encourages graduates to pursue careers in rural areas. "
"Dental training — expanding rural placements
The Government will provide $12.5 million over four years to improve rural access to dental services by expanding dental training in regional settings. This measure will provide clinical placements in rural training settings for up to 30 metropolitan dentistry students annually.
In addition, three scholarships per year will be established under the Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme to encourage Indigenous Australians to train in dentistry or in the allied health professions such as oral hygiene."
The Government will provide $12.5 million over four years to improve rural access to dental services by expanding dental training in regional settings. This measure will provide clinical placements in rural training settings for up to 30 metropolitan dentistry students annually.
In addition, three scholarships per year will be established under the Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme to encourage Indigenous Australians to train in dentistry or in the allied health professions such as oral hygiene."
"Dental treatment — enhanced Medicare items for patients with chronic and complex conditions
The Government will provide $377.6 million over four years to improve access to dental items available on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) from 1 November 2007 for patients with chronic and complex conditions.
The expanded MBS items will provide for an initial dental assessment and subsequent dental treatments. Each patient will receive a $125 benefit for an initial dental assessment (up from $77.95) and benefits for subsequent dental treatments up to the value of $2,000 per year. The new items will be available to patients being treated under a general practitioner management plan and team care arrangements, or under a multidisciplinary care plan in an aged care facility. The items will be available where the person’s oral health is impacting on, or is likely to impact on, their chronic medical condition.
This measure includes $53,000 in capital funding in 2007-08 for Medicare Australia system enhancements."
The Government will provide $377.6 million over four years to improve access to dental items available on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) from 1 November 2007 for patients with chronic and complex conditions.
The expanded MBS items will provide for an initial dental assessment and subsequent dental treatments. Each patient will receive a $125 benefit for an initial dental assessment (up from $77.95) and benefits for subsequent dental treatments up to the value of $2,000 per year. The new items will be available to patients being treated under a general practitioner management plan and team care arrangements, or under a multidisciplinary care plan in an aged care facility. The items will be available where the person’s oral health is impacting on, or is likely to impact on, their chronic medical condition.
This measure includes $53,000 in capital funding in 2007-08 for Medicare Australia system enhancements."
VOHA Comments
While these measures are welcome, they will regrettably have negligible impact on public dental waiting lists which see hundreds of thousands of Australians waiting up to five years for access to basic dental care.
Dental waiting times in many Victorian areas are increasing again after significant improvements reported in the lead up to the recent State election.
If the Coalition was hoping these budget measures would take the dental crisis off the front page, they are likely to be disappointed.
posted by Garry Pearson at 9:52 pm
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