Year-long wait times and 'unaffordable' fees: Struggling Australians petition for dental care to be covered by Medicare as oral hygiene plunges

  • Australians are calling on the government to start covering trips to the dentist
  • Medicare does not cover dental care but a petition said the service was 'vital' 
  • Social media users were largely supportive of covering trips to the dentist
  •  One in five Australians do not receive the recommended level of oral care

By Charlie Coë For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 00:22 EST, 12 November 2018 | Updated: 00:25 EST, 12 November 2018

Australians are calling on the government to start covering trips to the dentist under Medicare as they slam the 'unaffordable' out-of-pocket costs of having work done.

Medicare does not cover dental care and a recent report found one in five Australians do not receive the recommended level of oral treatment.

A petition has now been launched online urging the government to change policy.

Australians are calling on the government to start covering trips to the dentist under medicare as they slam the 'unaffordable' out-of-pocket costs of having work done (stock image)

Australians are calling on the government to start covering trips to the dentist under medicare as they slam the 'unaffordable' out-of-pocket costs of having work done (stock image)

Commenters on Reddit were largely supportive of the call on Health Minister Greg Hunt (pictured) to expand Medicare's coverage

Commenters on Reddit were largely supportive of the call on Health Minister Greg Hunt (pictured) to expand Medicare's coverage

Posted on change.org by disability support pensioner Alexandra Silva, the petition said dental health was just as vital as other health services covered under medicare.

It already has more than 1,500 signatures. 

The post description read: 'Dental health is vital to our overall health as everything we eat passes through our mouth.

'If full of cavities, then the person is being constantly poisoned every time they eat.' 

Commenters online were largely supportive of the call on Health Minister Greg Hunt to expand Medicare's coverage.

One noted how their friends were forced to use the limited number of 'free dentists' - who told them the solution to every problem was to rip the tooth out.

But another said prevention was better than a cure. 

One noted how their friends were forced to use the limited number of 'free dentists' - who told them the solution to every problem was to rip the tooth out

One noted how their friends were forced to use the limited number of 'free dentists' - who told them the solution to every problem was to rip the tooth out

But another said the person whose mouth was used to illustrate the petition 'should have invested $3 in a tooth brush'

But another said the person whose mouth was used to illustrate the petition 'should have invested $3 in a tooth brush'

They added the person whose mouth was used to illustrate the petition 'should have invested $3 in a tooth brush'.

A user with knowledge of the Canadian healthcare system said the government in the North American country was similarly stingy when it came to dental coverage.

They said: 'Just a quick reminder that Canada also does not consider your dental hygiene/health to be a top priority and considers all check ups, cleanings and extractions to be completely cosmetic.'

The Commonwealth and the states provide public dental services only for those on the lowest incomes.

There are long wait times for those trying to see a public dentist in Australia - with Tasmanians waiting 916 days for an appointment in 2015-16. 

A recent poll found almost half of Australians would prefer abolishing the taxpayer subsidy on private healthcare to fund dental coverage. 

A user with knowledge of the Canadian healthcare system said the government in the North American country was similarly stingy when it came to dental coverage

A user with knowledge of the Canadian healthcare system said the government in the North American country was similarly stingy when it came to dental coverage

Advertisement

Huge push for dental care to be covered by Medicare struggling Australians slam ‘unaffordable’ fees 

Most watched News videos

Comments 0

Share what you think

No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

Add your comment

What's This?

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.