Minister confirms dental budget boost

Federal Health Minister, Tanya Plibersek has issued a Media Release confirming earlier news reports that $345.9 million will be directed to treating patients on waiting lists over the next three years, providing vital services to around 400,000 adults including support for Indigenous Australians.

The Minister also said "the 2012-13 Budget will also direct vital health dollars to additional training to help boost the public dental service workforce, and improve dental infrastructure in regional, rural and remote areas".

The media release also advises that as part of the Budget, services in the bush will be strengthened by a new grants program to encourage and help dentists relocate to regional, rural and remote areas, at a cost of $77.7 million over four years.

Ms Plibersek said relocation grants of between $15,000 and $120,000, depending on the area to which a dentist moves, and grants of $250,000 to help with the purchase and fit-out of dental facilities, will be provided.

The Government will also invest $8.2 million in projects to improve facilities and buildings that will boost dental services in regional Australia as part of the regional priority round of the Health and Hospitals Fund.

The ADAVB warmly welcomes this increased investment in public dental care and targetting of the people and areas in greatest need.