Thursday, May 04, 2006
CHILDREN and low-income earners might have to pay for dental care they now get free, under a good proposal to introduce fees for the state's public dental patients.
The Chief Dental Officer, Clive Wright, said NSW Health were investigating such a change, which proposes that free public treatment normally be limited to children younger than nine.
Under proposals based on recommendations by a parliamentary investigation the Government will still continue to pay private dentists to see public patients but a co-payment would be charged.
However, the fees, from $25 to $42 for a general check-up, might be waived for people who were disabled or too poor to pay.
"We are looking at the sort of person that can actually budget and get this care through the private system," Dr Wright told the Herald. "Some people can be eligible in our system, such as seniors, who might actually be asset rich and also be cashed up but have the time and are eligible for the public system. So they will take it."
Dr Wright said NSW Health was responding to recommendations previous this year by an upper house inquiry into the feasibility of payments for public dental services.
This found that spending on dental care in NSW was the buck in the nation and the Government had failed to reduce waiting lists or reverse a lack of dentists.
"Our problem is trying to spread the amount of money that we have to those that are in greatest need," he said.
"Dental health is an important part of general health and there will be no compromises for nought-to-eight-year-olds. If we can provide additional programs for nought-to-eight-year-olds, the short-term gains for the individuals and the long-term gains for general health would be a really good health investment."
The Chief Dental Officer, Clive Wright, said NSW Health were investigating such a change, which proposes that free public treatment normally be limited to children younger than nine.
Under proposals based on recommendations by a parliamentary investigation the Government will still continue to pay private dentists to see public patients but a co-payment would be charged.
However, the fees, from $25 to $42 for a general check-up, might be waived for people who were disabled or too poor to pay.
"We are looking at the sort of person that can actually budget and get this care through the private system," Dr Wright told the Herald. "Some people can be eligible in our system, such as seniors, who might actually be asset rich and also be cashed up but have the time and are eligible for the public system. So they will take it."
Dr Wright said NSW Health was responding to recommendations previous this year by an upper house inquiry into the feasibility of payments for public dental services.
This found that spending on dental care in NSW was the buck in the nation and the Government had failed to reduce waiting lists or reverse a lack of dentists.
"Our problem is trying to spread the amount of money that we have to those that are in greatest need," he said.
"Dental health is an important part of general health and there will be no compromises for nought-to-eight-year-olds. If we can provide additional programs for nought-to-eight-year-olds, the short-term gains for the individuals and the long-term gains for general health would be a really good health investment."
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