What is the future of the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?

A delegation from the National Oral Health Alliance (NOHA) has met with Department of Health officials to discuss oral health issues, including the future of the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).

After the meeting, NOHA issued a statement saying that spending on the CDBS has been less than budgeted and the Government appears to have no interest in improving its uptake.

NOHA believes that there are discussions between the Federal, State and Territory Governments on what will be in place after the expiry of the 2015-16 National Partnership Agreement, which made $200 million available for the delivery of dental services and continued access to the CDBS.

The delegation, which included the Australian Dental Association and the Royal Flying Doctor Service, stressed the high need among three groups - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people, those on low incomes, and people in remote areas - for greater availability of oral care.

(NOHA is a group of consumer dental and general health organisations that support action by governments and professional bodies to improve oral and dental health.)