27 August 2026
Election 2026
Premier Carroll’s acknowledgement that oral health is fundamental to overall wellbeing is a welcome step for all Victorians. Strengthening access to dental care is essential, and any new investment must be shaped by a clear understanding of the significant oral health needs across our communities.
Many Victorians still face barriers to receiving timely dental care. As the peak body for dentistry and oral health in Victoria, the Australian Dental Association Victoria Branch aims to improve the dental health of all Victorians.
In addition to improving affordability, every dollar of public funding must improve access and equity in oral health care and translate into better outcomes for patients and our communities. ADA Victoria Branch is ready and resourced to assist and advise in creating a model designed to ensure:
- Currently eligible Victorians are not disadvantaged by expanding eligibility for government-funded dental services.
- Care is delivered by appropriately trained and qualified practitioners, including in the diagnosis and appropriate management of urgent problems and in the underlying causes of dental pain.
- Treatment goes beyond immediate pain relief and is supported by clear referral pathways and long-term follow-up.
- A realistic plan is in place to attract and retain the public clinical dental workforce needed to safely staff all clinics, including addressing how Victoria remunerates its dentists, and its unpaid registered dentists undertaking specialist training.
- Funding is directed where it is most needed, avoiding duplication of existing underutilised infrastructure.
- Demand is matched to capacity, so patients are not left waiting longer than they do today.
ADA Victoria Branch looks forward to continued consultation with government to build a durable, effective model of care that advances oral health for all Victorians and supports the dental profession that delivers it.
KEY STATISTICS
Current waiting lists
- As of August 2026, there are at least 86,000 individuals on waiting lists, with an average wait time of 14.9 months statewide and up to 33 months in metropolitan (Monash Health) and 35 months in rural (Bairnsdale) Victoria.
Funding utilisation
- Approximately 2.45 million people are eligible for government-funded dental care, but fewer than 400,000 of those eligible (16 per cent) are currently able to access treatment each year.
- According to a 2024 federal Parliamentary Budget Office estimate, in order to deliver free dental care for all Australians it would cost $45 billion over three years. A commitment of at least $11 billion over three years would be required for 7 million Victorians in all age groups and income streams to access free dental care.
- In 2025-26, the Government spent an estimated $320 million, while servicing only around 350,000 Victorians.
- For 2026-27, a budget of approximately $239 million has been allocated for oral health services.
Infrastructure
- Victoria's public dental system is currently only utilising around 52% of its existing chair capacity.
Workforce capability
- Victoria has the lowest number of public sector dentists per population of any state, with less than 5% working in the public sector.
- Victorian registered dentists undertaking specialist training, that provide the bulk of public sector specialist services continue to be unpaid.
- As at December 2025: Victorian public dentists are further underpaid on average by at least 30 per cent compared with their interstate counterparts, with new graduates starting on $83,966, against a national average of $110,622.
- Victorian public dental workforce shortages are primarily a retention problem, with poor remuneration repeatedly identified as one of the strongest reasons dentists leave the sector.
- A Victorian Parliamentary Budget Office costing (March 2025) found pay parity with NSW would cost just $12 million over three years.
Media enquiries
Interviews are available with Dr Carolyn Ng, Branch President.
Contact:
Neil Hewson
Interim CEO
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 8825 4600
Mob: 0458 681 908
