Australian dentists back expanding medicare to include dental care
A growing number of dental practitioners in Australia are calling for Medicare to be expanded to include oral health services, as cost-of-living pressures force patients to delay or avoid essential dental care.
A new survey, published in the Australian Dental Journal, found that nearly two-thirds of dental professionals support expanding Medicare to include dental treatments — particularly through a means-tested and capped model that prioritizes those most in need. The research highlights deep concern within the dental sector about growing affordability gaps and worsening oral health outcomes across the country.
“We’re in this cost of living crisis, and dentistry — which should be a necessary expenditure — has become a luxury item for many,” said Dr Matt Hopcraft, lead researcher and practicing dentist.
Australians struggle with dental costs
The survey revealed troubling insights:
- Around 40% of patients struggle to afford general dental care
- Nearly 50% delay care or opt for less effective treatments due to cost
- One in three Australians aged 15+ has untreated tooth decay
- Roughly 30% of adults suffer from gum disease
Despite the severity of these issues, dental care remains largely excluded from Australia’s public health system. Most services are delivered by the private sector and paid out-of-pocket, leaving millions without access to affordable treatment.
Currently, only limited groups benefit from public dental care:
- Children under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)
- Adults with concession or health care cards, though public waitlists stretch for years
Professionals, think tanks push for change
The Australian Dental Association (ADA), Public Health Association of Australia, and Grattan Institute all support expanding publicly funded dental services. Proposals range from:
- A Seniors Dental Benefits Scheme ($1,100 every two years for eligible Australians 65+)
- A capped universal dental scheme, as advocated by the Greens
- A phased integration into Medicare, as recommended by the 2023 Senate Inquiry and Aged
- Care Royal Commission
ADA board member Dr Andrew Gikas emphasized the urgency:
“We’ve got a children’s scheme that works — why not introduce a similar model for seniors and ease the burden on the public system?”
In 2022–23, nearly 16,000 Australians aged over 65 were hospitalised for preventable dental conditions, adding pressure to the already overwhelmed health system.
Where the parties stand
As the federal election unfolds, dental care remains noticeably absent from the health platforms of Labor and the Coalition, despite broad public and professional support.
- Labor says it has a long-term ambition to include dental care in Medicare, but lacks immediate capacity
- The Coalition emphasizes fixing the broader primary care system first
- The Greens have pledged full dental coverage for all Medicare-card holders — including check-ups, fillings, dentures, and cleanings — at an estimated cost of $196 billion over a decade
A tipping point for public dental reform
While approaches differ, there is strong consensus that Australia’s oral health crisis requires urgent government intervention. Dental practitioners argue that targeted, income-based subsidies or universal phased programs are crucial to filling long-standing access gaps.
“We’re going to keep lobbying — because the current way is not working,” said Dr Gikas.
With affordability worsening and preventable hospitalisations rising, expanding Medicare to include dental care may soon shift from an election debate to a public health imperative.
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