The important thing that Aussies have stopped doing amid the cost of living crisis

Only one-in-three Australians visits the dentist regularly as costs keep them away, while the dental association calls on the federal government to expand subsidies. Two-in-three Australians are only visiting the dentist when they have a problem as cost of living pressures continue to bite, amid calls for dental subsidies to be expanded. In an oral
The important thing that Aussies have stopped doing amid the cost of living crisis

Only one-in-three Australians visits the dentist regularly as costs keep them away, while the dental association calls on the federal government to expand subsidies.

Two-in-three Australians are only visiting the dentist when they have a problem as cost of living pressures continue to bite, amid calls for dental subsidies to be expanded.

In an oral health survey of 25,000 people, 61 per cent delayed oral treatment in the past 12 months, with affordability accounting for 63 per cent of the reason.

It marks a 17 per cent increase in people delaying regular check ups in the past 13 years, while the issue of costs increased by 12 per cent compared with 2022.

One-in-three people has suffered tooth and gum pain, face swelling or infection in the past year, with those issues more prevalent in older groups.

The Australian Dental Association is calling for government subsidies to be expanded to senior Australians.

People would be less likely to face complex and expensive dental treatments down the track if they saw their dentist regularly, association president Scott Davis said.

‘Government-funded schemes for our most vulnerable populations would go a long way to making this a reality for millions of Aussies for whom at the moment a dental visit isn’t a financial reality,’ he said.

Only one-in-three Australians visits the dentist regularly as costs keep them away, while the dental association calls on the federal government to expand subsidies (stock image)

Only one-in-three Australians visits the dentist regularly as costs keep them away, while the dental association calls on the federal government to expand subsidies (stock image)

Be the first to commentBe one of the first to commentComments
Have you delayed dental treatment due to the cost?

Comment now

The survey figures show only seven per cent of people have visited the dentist in the past six months, while 10 per cent visited in the past six-to-12 months.

Almost half had their problems treated, but about one in four did not due to cost barriers around treatments.

‘The current system of government assistance for them is ailing – eligible people wait years on public dental waiting lists just to have their first appointment, often enduring years of pain,’ Dr Davis said.

‘There are hundreds of thousands of Aussies suffering this way.’

The dental association wants the health minister to introduce a seniors scheme in Medicare which, according to the Parliamentary Budget Office, would cost $15.7billion over a decade.

‘This is cheap compared to trying to deliver dentistry to every Australian at a cost of around five times that at $77billion a decade, according to Treasury costings.’

Children are already offered subsidised dental treatments under the Dental Benefits Act with the structures in place to extend this to seniors, Indigenous people, those on low incomes and people with a disability.

In an oral health survey of 25,000 people, 61 per cent delayed oral treatment in the past 12 months, with affordability accounting for 63 per cent of the reason (stock image)

In an oral health survey of 25,000 people, 61 per cent delayed oral treatment in the past 12 months, with affordability accounting for 63 per cent of the reason (stock image)

Total
0
Shares
Leave a Reply
Related Posts
Dow plummets 900 points after weak jobs report
Read More

Dow plummets 900 points after weak jobs report

Stocks declined heavily in Friday trading following a weaker-than-expected jobs report. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 810 points, or 2.3%. The S&P 500 dropped 2.6%, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 3.1%. The U.S. added just 114,000 jobs in July, well below the 185,000 expected and down significantly from 206,000 in June. The unemployment rate climbed to 4.3%, from 4.1%. The
Suárez extends scoreless streak with 3rd straight gemSuárez extends scoreless streak with 3rd straight gem
Read More

Suárez extends scoreless streak with 3rd straight gemSuárez extends scoreless streak with 3rd straight gem

Suárez extends scoreless streak with 3rd straight gem August 18th, 2024 Jake Rill @JakeDRill Share share-square-170252 BALTIMORE -- The surprise success being had by Albert Suárez during his return season to MLB isn’t coming as much of a surprise anymore. At this point, the Orioles are expecting these types of outings from the 34-year-old right-hander.
What we know about ‘malicious’ attack on French train network ahead of Olympics opening
Read More

What we know about ‘malicious’ attack on French train network ahead of Olympics opening

French transport was thrust into chaos Friday just hours ahead of the Olympics 2024 opening ceremony after a series of coordinated “malicious acts” upended high-speed train lines What we know about ‘malicious’ attack on French train network ahead of Olympics openingBy The Associated PressThe Associated PressPARIS PARIS (AP) — French transport was thrust into chaos