Dental treatment an election issue

Oral health is an election issue. The Australian Democrats have advocated that dental care should be covered by Medicare. The party has pledged $10 billion a year extra for public health services – paid for by reducing franking credits, cutting fossil fuel subsidies and taxing junk food. A main feature would be reintroducing the Chronic Disease Dental Scheme.

Meanwhile the ALP reiterated its commitment to providing an extra $4.6 billion for dental services. (The funding is already in the Budget.) Health Minister Tanya Plibersek (pictured) reminded voters of the ALP's commitment when she opened a new dental hygienist training facility at RMIT.