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Australians do not have good oral health, and it seems that cost is a major reason.
It is estimated that one-third of adults have untreated tooth decay, which can lead to hospitalisation.
As well as visits to dental professionals, there were close to 78,800 hospitalisations in 2021–22 for dental conditions that might have been prevented with earlier treatment.
National Seniors Australia has called on the Federal Government to establish a Seniors Dental Benefit Scheme to provide $500 per year to older people in need so they can go to the dentist.
The scheme would be administered in a similar fashion to the existing Child Dental Benefit Scheme and could be provided as part of a Pensioner Concession Card Plus.