Interim dental health report received

The interim report on dental health reform options from the independent National Advisory Council on Dental Health has been received by the Minister for Health and Ageing Ms Nicola Roxon and Greens Health spokesperson Senator Richard Di Natale. The interim report will now be considered and further discussions with the Council will follow before the report is finalised. The interim report will not be publicly released but the final report will be. The National Advisory Council on Dental Health was established last September to provide expert advice on dental health issues, including looking at the current mix and coverage of dental services in order to provide advice on future needs and priorities for reform. Establishing the Council was part of a $53.1 million Commonwealth Government boost to dental services announced in the last Budget. In addition to creating the Council, the Government is funding a voluntary dental internship program for 150 interns to consolidate and expand dental graduates’ basic skills and improve community access to dental services.