Budget submission lists ways to improve the oral health of Victorians
In its pre-Budget submission to the State Government, ADAVB called for funding to continue to improve the oral health of Victorians.
The Branch says the Government should consider the boosting oral health by:
1. Capital and workforce plans need to be reviewed to build capacity to address the requirements for delivery of universal access to dental care via Denticare, the proposed dental intern program, and expanded clinical placement facilities.
2. Funding of $18m is required to support the establishment of an 80-chair specialist training facility at the Melbourne Dental School.
3. Health care policy planners must recognise that the provision of oral health care is an integral part of the concept of accountability to the community, comprehensive care to patients, and the standard of care for many disease processes and medical diagnoses.
4. A capital plan is required to ensure that all public dental clinics are fitted with ISO 11143 compliant amalgam retention filters to prevent mercury-bearing waste entering the sewerage system.
5. Changing population demographics and disease patterns are increasing the numbers of patients who face barriers to accessing basic oral health care in the traditional dental office setting. Hospital dental programs serve the special needs of these patients, and also provide a safety net for indigent patients. These programs should continue to receive State Government funding. Estimated cost - $200k
6. The critical interface with medicine, so essential to the changing face of dental education and clinical practice, cannot be provided solely within the dental school environment, underscoring the importance of hospital rotations for all undergraduate dental students and the value of hospital-based postgraduate general practice residencies. These educational programs need to receive State funding. Estimated cost - $400k
7. The establishment of hospital-based dental services at public hospitals with more than 200 beds. With the hospitals having the necessary healthcare facilities (from access ramps to staff training), what is required is a dental surgery and equipment, documentation, a dental team and appropriate and adequate funding. Initially establishing a dental unit at St Vincent’s at an estimated cost of $1.5m.
8. Consideration be given to establishing a nursing home program where private practitioners treat residents and are paid by DHSV on a special fee schedule (essentially DVA rates, but with special item codes specific to nursing homes). The service involves setting up portable equipment, writing notes in nursing home records, travel to the residences etc. Estimated initial cost - $0.5m.
9. Funding for several research projects: • Reducing hospital admissions for dental treatment • Interdisciplinary preventive and health promotion activities • Estimated cost - $200k
10. Funding for the teaching of the Diploma and Masters courses on Victim Identification thereby ensuring that Victorian based forensic odontologists are available in the event of emergencies. Estimated cost - $211k.
11. Continue the very successful program of fluoridating Victorian town
The Branch says the Government should consider the boosting oral health by:
1. Capital and workforce plans need to be reviewed to build capacity to address the requirements for delivery of universal access to dental care via Denticare, the proposed dental intern program, and expanded clinical placement facilities.
2. Funding of $18m is required to support the establishment of an 80-chair specialist training facility at the Melbourne Dental School.
3. Health care policy planners must recognise that the provision of oral health care is an integral part of the concept of accountability to the community, comprehensive care to patients, and the standard of care for many disease processes and medical diagnoses.
4. A capital plan is required to ensure that all public dental clinics are fitted with ISO 11143 compliant amalgam retention filters to prevent mercury-bearing waste entering the sewerage system.
5. Changing population demographics and disease patterns are increasing the numbers of patients who face barriers to accessing basic oral health care in the traditional dental office setting. Hospital dental programs serve the special needs of these patients, and also provide a safety net for indigent patients. These programs should continue to receive State Government funding. Estimated cost - $200k
6. The critical interface with medicine, so essential to the changing face of dental education and clinical practice, cannot be provided solely within the dental school environment, underscoring the importance of hospital rotations for all undergraduate dental students and the value of hospital-based postgraduate general practice residencies. These educational programs need to receive State funding. Estimated cost - $400k
7. The establishment of hospital-based dental services at public hospitals with more than 200 beds. With the hospitals having the necessary healthcare facilities (from access ramps to staff training), what is required is a dental surgery and equipment, documentation, a dental team and appropriate and adequate funding. Initially establishing a dental unit at St Vincent’s at an estimated cost of $1.5m.
8. Consideration be given to establishing a nursing home program where private practitioners treat residents and are paid by DHSV on a special fee schedule (essentially DVA rates, but with special item codes specific to nursing homes). The service involves setting up portable equipment, writing notes in nursing home records, travel to the residences etc. Estimated initial cost - $0.5m.
9. Funding for several research projects: • Reducing hospital admissions for dental treatment • Interdisciplinary preventive and health promotion activities • Estimated cost - $200k
10. Funding for the teaching of the Diploma and Masters courses on Victim Identification thereby ensuring that Victorian based forensic odontologists are available in the event of emergencies. Estimated cost - $211k.
11. Continue the very successful program of fluoridating Victorian town
Home (Past 7 Days)