Here’s something I’d really like our pollies to get their teeth into!
Went to SCHS recently to book for a check and clean. Waiting time? A mere 3 YEARS!
Had to go private. Cheapest available check and clean was $175 less 10% seniors’ discount, dearest was a so called ‘family practice’ $285 no discount. (I’m in the 50% plus of Aussies with no dental cover).
Seems the Greens have the right idea by talking about getting Dental into Medicare – but this should be a non partisan issue, no?
The mouth, besides being a festering cauldron of bacteria in its own right, is one of the main ways that all manner of nasties get into our bodies to create many problems subsequently handled by Medicare. It makes complete sense that Dental should have been one of the mainstays of Medicare in the first place. Without it, it has arguably rendered a large part of Medicare ‘toothless’, and possibly could have saved the tax payer quite a few bob by protecting our bodies at the oral borders.
Water under the bridge.
For now, wouldn’t it be great to be able to have the recommended annual dental health checks for an affordable amount, encouraging folk to look after their teeth instead of waiting years in between visits? Dental care is more than just having nice-looking teeth, not always the message we receive when seeking dental services. I dread to contemplate the cost of dental repairs, even the cost of an extraction can be prohibitive! Forget straightening, whitening, and any other add-ons.
So – I am looking forward to my next check up and clean – but if the Pandora’s box opens up (which is usually does) and I’m told I need a filling or an extraction, I might just have to crack out the Pollyfilla or the pliers!
(published Sunraysia Daily, Friday 2nd September, 2022)
Totally agree with Dianne with these comments. Government Dental is only available for emergency appointments for the public, who are eligible, unless they have waited 3 years. Prevention, has always been better than cure. This brings me to the point of being able to have a Dental Checks, so emergency dental isn’t required. If Dental was included with the Medicare Health System we would have more chance of equality in health care for Australians.