"System in Decay" Feature Story

Following up their editorial and articles earlier in the week, The Australian today published a large feature story on public dental waiting lists and the need for policy reform. (See also posts dated 24 and 25 October).

The story highlights ADA Inc. CEO Robert Boyd-Boland's call for the introduction of a new federal dental scheme, similar to the Commonwealth Dental Health Program (CDHP) which operated during the mid 1990's, in the following terms:

"The CDHP significantly reduced waiting times and waiting lists. Estimates put the growth in waiting lists between 20 per cent and 55 per cent in the 12 months to 24 months after the CDHP ended. Since then there has been no discernible, unified plan in place to provide delivery of dental care."