Brotherhood calls to put ‘teeth first’
The Brotherhood of St Laurence has released a report examining the implications of the lack of timely dental treatment for people on low-incomes.
The Teeth First treatment trial sought to secure timely dental treatment for people who are highly disadvantaged. Working with community health centre dentists, the trial fast tracked treatment and mapped the impact it had on lives and opportunities.
Thirty-five long-term unemployed clients who identified dental conditions as a barrier to employment participated in the trial, and the most common conditions were rotting or dying teeth, untreated cavities and broken teeth, with many participants requiring dentures.
- 86% of participants said their dental condition affected their ability to go about their daily activities with 75% saying this had been a problem for at least two years or more.
- Pain or discomfort was experienced by approximately 90%, difficulty eating by 80% and sickness as a result of dental problems by 60%.
- The majority said they had not sought treatment due to cost, while 40% said they were on a waiting list, which ranged from 30 to 41 months for general treatment and 14 to 29 months for dentures.
Based on the state of dental services available to low-income Australians, the costs of not providing timely treatment, and the findings of the trial, the Brotherhood of St Laurence makes the following recommendations:
1. Fully incorporate dental care within Medicare, recognising dental care as being an important part of health care.
2. Develop and communicate a consistent, transparent and easily understood policy for public dental clinics operating in community health centres.
3. Offer dental scholarships with similar conditions to those of the Commonwealth Bonded Medical Places Scheme, encouraging public service in regional and rural areas.
