Child dental scheme a 'success' despite government's failure to promote it

Date
    March 29, 2016
    Sydney Morning Herald

A federal government program that has provided free dental care to one million children - and which Health Minister Sussan Ley indicated could be axed or overhauled - has been judged a success in a review by Ms Ley's own department.

Headed by the country's top medical officer, the review team's report said it was "pleased" that the two-year old scheme, the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, had provided free dental care to children "at an age when preventive measures can be most effective."

It made a range of recommendations to ensure the scheme's "ongoing success and effectiveness".


Although original targets for the scheme may have been too ambitious, it said the scheme had been "underutilised, which is possibly a reflection of its underpromotion".


Only 30 per cent of eligible children have so far used the scheme, resulting in a "significant underspend of allocated funding" found the Auditor General. Only $433 million of the $736 million budgeted for the first 18 months from January 2014 had been spent.

The review report, a legislative requirement, was tabled without fanfare around the time that the Australian Dental Association revealed that the federal government had indicated it planned to either axe or radically change the $2.7 billion dental program. The Prime Minister has subsequently confirmed that the scheme is under review, and could be scrapped.   


The review said it was pleased with the dental scheme for children.

In consultations with dental groups, the minister said the scheme was too expensive and later confirmed that she was investigating reforms to make the means-tested scheme more effective and cater to those most in need. A spokesman for the minister said the government remained "absolutely committed to improving the oral health of Australia's children."

Under current arrangements, the scheme expires on June 30 this year.

Critics claim that the Coalition government has failed to publicise the scheme because it was a Labor initiative. Other than one mass mailing, families are usually notified of eligibility with a notification letter.

Opposition health spokeswoman Catherine King said the government's own report confirmed Labor's dental scheme was a success.

"It shows the scheme has been providing dental services to the kids who need it most but the Turnbull government is deliberately hiding this, denying millions of kids the chance to get their teeth fixed."   

The scheme provides $1000 of free dental care to children aged 2 to 17 whose parents are receiving government benefits. Most services are bulk-billed.


The review said more could done to make this letter more attractive and promote the scheme's benefits.

The review said more could done to make this letter more attractive and promote the scheme's benefits.

The health department review team recommended that the government make its eligibility letter more attractive - and do more to make the scheme attractive, engage marketing experts and try new channels.


Alarmed by the plan to axe the scheme, more than 10,000 people have signed a Change.org petition started by dentists to lobby Ms Ley to keep the keep the scheme.

"The dental health of Australia's kids is already in peril," it warns.

"Over 50 per cent of all six-year-olds have experienced tooth decay, and more than 24,000 children under 14 were hospitalised for dental treatment in 2013-14 alone."   

"These are scary stats by themselves," said the petition. It said a child's dental health can affect their school performance, social skills, and even lifestyle and job prospects.

One supporter wrote: "Our future generations deserve a better smile."

Vic wrote on Mar 30^th, 2016 at 4:29pm:


I bet you change your mind when you need medical care to keep alive.

Vic wrote on Mar 30^th, 2016 at 4:56pm:


Most medical staff say that the vast majority of people will do anything to stay alive - including those that say the opposite before they get sick.

Dental care means a longer and more healthy life and dental problems have a very wide range of serious problems that arise from its failure ...... eating is the mainstay of being alive...

Maybe one in ten thousand of those children might become a world-saver.... so it must be worth it...

BigFella - I mostly agree with you.. but your dental needs have been met for most of your life.... you should not be judging those who do not have that.....

Sir Grappler Truth Teller OAM wrote on Mar 30^th, 2016 at 7:15pm:

I don't believe I was judging anyone Grap.   I fully support giving our youngsters everything they need.  I was drawing a point between funding kids dental and keeping people alive who should be allowed to 'go' if they wish

Sir Grappler Truth Teller OAM wrote on Mar 30^th, 2016 at 7:15pm:



i went to the dentist yesterday for root canal.  i have private health insurance. I still have to pay a gap but the point is that i pay for it.  the rest of you want everything fro free whil you sit at home on the dole doing nothing for it.