Peter Hall M.L.C. - Media Release

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MEDIA RELEASE

Mr Peter Hall MLC
Member for Eastern Victoria Region
National Party Spokesman for
Education, Skills and Employment
Energy and Resources
Information and Communication Technology
Innovation

The Member for Eastern Region, PETER HALL is advising local residents that a dental scheme created by the former Coalition Government will continue for another six months.

Peter Hall said the Medicare Dental program was introduced by the Coalition Government in September 2007, but this March the Rudd Government announced the program would be scrapped by June.

“The Federal Labor Government tried to cancel this program, and many health professionals and patients hold the mistaken view that it has already wound up,”
Mr Hall said.

“However, a Coalition motion of disallowance has prevented it being scrapped until December – so patients can still visit their GP for a dental referral and have the procedure covered by Medicare.”

The Medicare Dental program provides up to $4250 over two years for patients with chronic and complex health problems, where dental health is a contributing factor or complication, to access private dental treatment via a GP referral.

Mr Hall said it was unfortunate that the Rudd Government had been silent about the program’s extension.

“The Rudd Government has tried to downplay the importance of this program, with Health Minister Nicola Roxon claiming it helped just 15,000 people in four years,” he said.

“In reality, between September 2007 and April 2008, the program provided a massive 311,943 services.

“The Rudd Government has no plans to replace Medicare Dental, instead opting to impose added burden on already crippled state dental systems.

“Current state public dental wait lists in the Eastern Region electorate are at unacceptable levels.

“Dental problems can create greater health problems if they are not addressed – gum disease, for example, has been linked to heart disease and diabetes.

“So in many ways, Medicare Dental is a preventative medicine for people who couldn’t otherwise afford treatment.

“Dental care is a vital component of country healthcare, and I encourage eligible Eastern Region residents to make use of Medicare Dental while it is still available.

“On behalf of Eastern Region residents, I will continue to lobby the State and Federal governments to improve public dental services.”