Poor oral health is one of the strongest indicators of poverty and disadvantage in Australia. Years of neglect have seen public dental waiting lists explode, and a lack of federal funding means that dental care is difficult to access for many Australians.

WHAT THIS CAMPAIGN IS

  • The campaign is primarily focused on raising awareness of the issues of poor access to essential dental care, and the urgent need to reform our dental care system.

  • There is strong public support, with a recent poll from Essential Research showing 77% of people agreed that dental and oral healthcare should be included in Medicare.

    That support maintained high levels regardless of voting intention – 82% f0r Labor voters, 78% for Greens, 74% for Coalition voters and 79% for independents and others. There is clearly a strong constituency for this.

  • We are asking Members of Parliament and candidates in the upcoming election to commit to tackling dental health funding in the next term of parliament.

WHAT THIS CAMPAIGN IS NOT

  • This campaign is not aligned with any political party or politician. In fact a recent poll from Essential Research showed strong public support for expanding Medicare to include dental care across supporters of all major political parties and independents.

  • This campaign is urging the next Australian parliament to increase public funding for dental care.

    Many models and options exist that would help to increase access to essential dental care.

    Just like Medicare and the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, patient co-payments are likely to form a part of any new dental scheme.

You can make a difference. Contact your local Member of Parliament or candidates in the upcoming election to let them know that it’s time to put the mouth back in the body, and Give Medicare Teeth.