Sad neglect of Tasmania’s teeth costing State Health budget

The Tasmanian Greens today urged all state politicians to back a push by the Australian Greens to have dental treatment included in Medicare.

Greens Health spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP said said the deplorable condition of the nation’s teeth needed to be urgently addressed, as the lack of a federally funded dental care program means the State is left to pick up the tab for emergency dental treatment.

Mr O’Halloran also welcomed the Health Minister Michelle O’Byrne’s commitment in response to a question in Parliament today to lobby the Federal Government for an increase in funding for dental health.

“The Greens are calling for a united Tasmanian triparte position to push for the Federal Labor Government to end this ridiculous notion that dental health is not part of our overall health, and to introduce a federally funded dental care program,” Mr O’Halloran said.

“The lack of such a program means Tasmania is having to pick up the tab for the large amount of emergency dental care which is occurring in the state’s public hospitals.”

“Less than half of all Australians have good oral health and a third of Australians have stated they can’t afford to go to the dentist, or delay visits because of the cost.”

“Losing your teeth affects your health, self esteem, work opportunities and quality of life and hundreds of thousands of people suffer in pain waiting for treatment.”

“The Greens believe that low income earners, children and teens, pensioners and those with chronic disease should be among the first to access dental treatment under Medicare dental scheme, phased in over five years.”

“Untreated dental disease nationwide costs Medicare $350m a year and the hospital system at least $100m and up to $2 billion is lost in productivity,” Mr O’Halloran said.