Vic Budget's dental increase quietly welcomed

The State Government's Budget announced on 1 May provides $138 million of dental services - an increase of $8 million.

The Victorian Oral Health Alliance (VOHA) welcomed:

• $1.5 million to fund fluoridation of water in rural Victoria;
• $1.5 million to establish a dental school at Bendigo; and,
• additional funds for dentures for older Victorians living in supported residential facilities.

However VOHA members felt that a lot more could be done to help Victorians, especially 100,000-plus people on the public dental waiting lists.

The alliance now awaits the Federal Budget to see if the Commonwealth Government can further help improve the oral health of disadvantaged Victorians.