OzePro ExPress

Government Fails to Deliver on Dental Health
Dr. John E. Mathews

The Australian Dental Association (ADA) welcomes targeted federal funds for dental care to needy Australians, but is concerned that the newly created Commonwealth Dental Health Plan (CDHP) and Teen Dental Plan should have been better linked.

Commonwealth Dental Health Plan – “too little for too few”

“For far too long, the States and Territories of Australia have failed to meet their obligations to ensure proper delivery of dental care to poor and disadvantaged Australians. This Government had the opportunity to rectify some of the specific deficiencies that existed by introducing some coordinated plans that are able to be built upon or modified to meet future needs,” says Dr John Matthews, Federal President of the Australian Dental Association.

“Instead it has provided the State/Territory Health Services with additional funding [less than provided more than 10 years ago] to prop up schemes that have not delivered to date. It’s a Band-Aid solution at best.”

Featured Page: Australian Dental Service 2008

I needed urgent dental treatment the other day, so I went to a medical clinic in town that has a resident dentist. I approached the receptionist and replied to her friendly, ambiguous greeting, then requested an appointment with the dentist. I was told that the clinic was not accepting any new dental patients at present, because the dentist was barely able to service the number of patients that were already enrolled. Eventually, after some polite conversation, I was turned away. I was just a little miffed, as I had been using that particular clinic for regular health checkups and sundries for quite a number of years.

Unperturbed, I proceeded to the private practice of the most popular and arguably, the best dentist in town. The receptionist greeted me professionally and told me that the first available appointment date for an examination was in two months time. The dentist would then assess what had to be done and reschedule the appointment for three months hence. In vain, I protested that this was an urgent matter that needed immediate attention. I was told that if I was in extreme pain I should consult a doctor, who would give me something to ease the pain, or antibiotics to treat an abscessed tooth.

I did the rounds of the other two dental practices in town, only to be told much the same story. The last dental surgery in town that I visited, could see me in a months time for an inspection, and also perform an extraction if required, other work such as fillings and bridgework would have to be carried out two months later.

After speaking to one of my friends about my predicament, I was told that the local public hospital runs a dental clinic where the work is carried out by students, who are training to be qualified dentists. I thought, aw bewdy, I can get some attention while I am waiting the five months to see a real dentist.

I went straight up to the hospital, fronted the receptionist at the dental clinic, told her my problem and then listened to her inform me of the terms and conditions of the hospital’s emergency dental clinic.

It went something like, “this is an emergency only dental clinic, no cosmetic or elective dental work will be carried out, patients must be permanent residents of this fair state, must be pensioners or health card holders, and must be one of the first fourteen people in the queue when the clinic’s doors open at 07.45 Monday to Friday.” I replied that I was prepared to pay for any treatment. The receptionist interrupted by apologising and saying that if I didn’t have a pension or health care card they could not treat me.

I walked away feeling quite perplexed

Here am I, a born and bred Australian citizen, living in a large coastal city that boasts all essential services. I have a sore Mouth, I am uncomfortable, I do have money in my pocket, yet I am unable to get necessary dental work carried out before waiting three or five months!

It is unbelievable that the government of Australia, a country with a vast array of mineral wealth that only has a total poulation numbering about the same as that of a major world city, cannot provide adequate dental, medical or hospital services for such a small number of citizens.
Source

Technorati Tags: Dental Australia,  Rudd Health