DOCTORS REFORM SOCIETY

 

Media Release

 

Tuesday, 24 October 2006

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FUNDS DENTAL CARE FOR RICH AND DENIES IT TO POOR

 

"The ACOSS report of the disastrous state of dental care for the poor and disadvantaged across Australia should be a wake up call to the Federal Government," said Dr Tim Woodruff, President, Doctors Reform Society

 

"Instead, said Dr Woodruff, "the Government says that dental care is not its responsibility despite the fact that it uses everyone's taxes to fund 30-45% of the cost of private dental care covered by private health insurance (through the Private Health Insurance rebate)."

 

"This is hypocrisy at its worst," said Dr Woodruff. "One level of dental care for the rich, subsidised by taxes, and no level of dental care for the rest, just 5 year waiting times eating pureed food without teeth."

 

"This Federal Government slashed a $100 million per year national dental health care program in 1996 as soon as it came to office. It then used that same money and more to subsidise private dental care for the rich".

 

"This is not governing for all Australians," said Dr Woodruff. "The Government should hide its head in shame."