Fair dental care for low income earners: national report on the state of dental care

Oral health has important implications for general health and well being. Oral disease can affect people's eating, sleeping, work and social lives. The Federal Government's national oral health plan was endorsed by Australian health ministers on 29 July 2004. In this report, ACOSS reviews the provisions of the plan and progress made towards achieving its agreed actions. It finds that overall the achievements fail to meet the targets. The report finds that: demand for dental services outstrips supply; services are not available in some areas, particularly rural and regional areas; low income Australians are unable to pay for private dental care; and child oral health is very good but worsening. The report puts forward a set of recommendations that address these problems.