11 April 2022
Prioritising oral health in the federal election
We're calling on all major parties in the federal election to prioritise oral health: to commit to better funding of our public system and to implement one of the key recommendations of the Aged Care Royal Commission which was to establish a Senior Dental Benefits Scheme.
Oral health is fundamental to overall health, wellbeing, and quality of life, and a healthy mouth enables people to eat, speak and socialise without pain, discomfort or embarrassment. Dental diseases lead to pain, discomfort and tooth loss, and can lead to difficulties with chewing, swallowing and speech. Poor oral health can lead to problems with nutrition and general health, disruptions to sleep and productivity and can be a barrier to full participation in society including the ability to gain employment. There are links between poor oral health and diseases including Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
View our recent media coverage:
- Broken teeth pandemic
11 April 2022, 7 News Melbourne - COVID grind causes new pandemic of broken teeth
11 April 2022, The Age - Dental reforms to look after older people unable to access care needed, advocates say
11 April 2022, ABC News online - Dentists are calling for oral health to be prioritised in the federal election fight
11 April 2022, Nine News Melbourne - Dentists report "pandemic of broken teeth' as grinding becomes more widespread during COVID
11 April 2022, 10 Play The Project - How the pandemic has caused a decline in dental health
11 April 2022, 3AW - Teeth grinding increases across Australia
11 April 2022, ABC RN Breakfast
Find out more:
