Senate Inquiry Commences Public Hearing on Dental Care Access in Australia

AUSTRALIA: The Senate Select Committee Inquiry into the Provision of and Access to Dental Services in Australia is set to inaugurate its first public hearing today.

Taking place in Boorloo/ Perth on August 14th, this hearing serves as a platform to bring together individuals who have directly faced barriers to dental care access, as well as key organisations such as the Australian Dental Association WA, Derbal Yerrigan Health Service, the Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services, and the University of WA Dentistry School.

Oral health of older Australians at risk due to lack of government action on dental care

Pathway to Universal Access

Initiated and chaired by Australian Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John, this Dental Inquiry holds the promise of generating community-led recommendations that could pave the way for Universal Access to Dental Care across Australia.

Underpinning this inquiry is a monumental community response. A survey conducted by the committee amassed a historic 17,000 respondents, with an overwhelming 98% of them expressing agreement that expanded free dental care should be available in Australia.

As articulated by Senator Jordon Steele-John, Chair of the Committee and Australian Greens Spokesperson for Health, the escalating cost of living is forcing individuals to defer vital dental visits, emphasising the pressing need for a transformation in oral health care access within the nation.

One-third of Australians skipping the dentist

Averting Dental Pain and Burdens

The issue extends beyond financial concerns. The absence of comprehensive dental care coverage within Medicare has translated into 83,000 preventable dental-related hospitalisations annually and a remarkable 750,000 General Practitioner appointments each year that stem from dental concerns. The integration of dental care within Medicare holds the potential to reduce hospitalisations and expand GP availability.

Senator Steele-John is resolute in closing the dental care gap. With this committee’s presence in WA, he seeks to devise solutions that enhance dental care access in regional WA, prioritise First Nations People, and extend coverage to those in WA prisons.

Today’s hearing marks a critical juncture in the journey towards realising equitable and comprehensive dental care access for every individual in Australia.