Dental Crisis Feature in The Senior

The Senior is a monthy published in most States, with both common national themes, and local stories for each State's edition. The August editions in all States carry a feature on the public "dental crisis", accompanied by editorial urging the Commonwealth and State Governments to "stop the finger pointing and fix the problem".

The editorial also notes that "States and Territories don't spend enough of their multi-billion dollar budgets on dental care".

The editorial is supported by news stories highlighting key aspects of the dental care crisis, and noting ADA Inc CEO Robert Boyd-Boland's call for reinstatement of a Commonwealth Dental Scheme, and for commitment by all levels of Government to act on the recommendations in the National Oral Health Plan of 2004. That plan urged Governments to:

• recognise oral health as an integral part of general health
• give Australians access to appropriate and affordable services
• educate a skilled workforce
• initiate oral health promotion and disease prevention strategies
• fluoridate water supplies across Australia
• increase funding for public dental care