Approximately one-third of Australians aged 15 and older live with untreated tooth decay 5. This shocking statistic is the tip of a large oral health iceberg facing America. Nearly 3 in 10 adults currently have gum disease. This continues to call attention to the desperate need for improved access to dental care. Dental providers, tooth health advocates, and public health defenders have been clamoring for years to secure more government cash. Specifically, they would like to see Medicare expand to cover basic dental services for all Americans amid rising costs that increasingly force patients to forego essential care.
In 2023, a Senate inquiry recommended that the federal government partner with state and territory governments. Whether through Medicare or an equivalent system, their goal is universal access to dental and oral health. This recommendation is particularly timely as members of the dental workforce continue to hear from their patients that they are having a harder time affording care. Almost 450 of their colleagues answered a recent survey. Both this survey and the current climate across America illuminate an affordability crisis in dental care.
Rising Oral Health Issues
Those smoke and mirrors create a dark picture of oral health in Australia. During this same 2022-23 period, almost 16,000 Australians aged over 65 were hospitalized for potentially preventable dental conditions. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety in 2021, along with the recent Senate inquiry, emphasized the need for a dedicated seniors program that addresses these alarming trends.
Lead Researcher and dentist, Matt Hopcraft, explained the alarming trend in how people view dental services.
“We’re in this cost of living crisis at the moment and … dentistry — which should be a necessary expenditure — has for a lot of people perhaps shifted over into a luxury item,” – Matt Hopcraft.
This is a sentiment echoed by Andrew Gikas, the vice-president of the ADA. At the same time, he is clinical director at the University of Melbourne Dental School. He reiterated that current funding levels are not enough to provide the services needed for all Australians who want dental care.
“The dilemma is that it’s a massive amount of money … to get every person in Australia to be able to go and see a dentist under the Medicare scheme,” – Andrew Gikas.
We’re glad to hear health professionals like Mr. They understand that addressing the oral health crisis requires more than just money. It requires true transformation.
Affordability and Accessibility Challenges
Surveyed dental practitioners indicated that nearly 4 in 10 patients had difficulty accessing general dental care due to cost. Alarmingly, almost half of respondents reported that their patients postponed care. Others made worse choices simply due to budgetary restrictions. This trend has led many to worry about the long-term effects on public health.
Dr. Gikas highlighted the need of such a change, proposing that subsidies be targeted to support those most in need. He stated,
“We’re going to keep lobbying to make sure that whoever ends up in power starts thinking about a better way of doing it, because the current way is not working, and is leaving a significant amount of gaps,” – Dr. Gikas.
Optimism amongst the dental profession is high for a means-tested and dental cap scheme in the future. The articles point out that this is a first step and they believe this initiative would provide significant relief to lower income Australians. It would reduce pressure on under siege public dental services stretched across huge waiting lists.
Political Support for Reform
The crisis continues to drive headlines nationally and has reached the highest levels of political leadership. Mark Butler, soon to be Minister for Health, spoke of the need to strengthen Medicare.
“We’re focused very much on strengthening Medicare as it currently stands. But I think over time it would make sense to bring the mouth into our universal health insurance system,” – Mark Butler.
Advocacy organizations such as the Public Health Association of Australia and Australia’s Grattan Institute are calling for action. Above all, they want to see dental care included in Medicare. This inclusion would help make sure that people at every income level have access to the critical oral health care they need without facing unaffordable expenses.
The Greens party has been vocal about their campaign to include basic dental services in Medicare for all adults, emphasizing the need for equitable access to healthcare.
“All of the statistics … tell us we have a crisis in primary care and first and foremost, that has to be addressed,” – Anne Ruston.
The Greens party has also been vocal about their campaign to include basic dental services in Medicare for all adults, emphasizing the need for equitable access to healthcare.
