The Department of Parliamentary Services published in late November 2009 an overview of the proposed Denticare scheme. Below is a brief summary of the explanation of Denticare but without the Responses and concerns also discussed in this background note, for the full version please go to the documents link below - Denticare An Overview.
Citing long waiting lists for public dental services and financial barriers to timely dental care, the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission (NHHRC) proposes the establishment of the Denticare Australia scheme, to provide a ‘universal scheme for access to basic dental services’ in its final report to government. Supplementing this, the NHHRC also proposes an expansion of existing state-based school dental programs, more funding for oral health promotion and an internship scheme for dental graduates. The Denticare scheme and related dental health proposals, were first suggested in the NHHRC’s interim report. These remain essentially unchanged in its final report. Issues that were raised in the wake of the interim report, such as the cost of the scheme, access for disadvantaged groups, and the capacity of the dental workforce, continue to be of concern.
What is Denticare Australia?
Denticare Australia will be the established mechanism through which all Australians would have access to a ‘basic package’ of dental services. The basic package of dental services would include preventive work (such as scaling and cleaning of teeth), diagnostic (x-rays), extractions and restorative work (such as fillings of cavities) as well as the provision of dentures. People could choose to have the basic package of dental services provided through a private dental plan or under public dental arrangements. It should be noted certain additional services such as orthodontics would not be included under the ‘basic package’.
Private Dental Plans
Those who choose the private option would purchase a health plan from a private health insurer to cover a ‘basic package’ of dental services. Denticare Australia would pay the premium for these plans, which would meet approximately 85 per cent of private dental costs; representing a significant discount. The remaining costs would be paid by consumers although these co-payment amounts are expected to be lower than currently applies. Consumers would then access basic dental services through a private dentist where most of their dentist’s fees would be met by the private health plan.
Public Dental Services
Those who decline the private health plan option would have access to basic dental services free of charge through state-based public dental services. These services would receive expanded funding from Denticare Australia, although the level of this expanded funding is not detailed in the final report. Those accessing public dental services may still face delays for treatment, but the NHHRC expects waiting times to be less than is currently the case.
Cost
Access to public dental services would not attract a co-payment, even where services are contracted out to private dentists. Nor would public dental services only be restricted to those on concession cards as is currently the case.9 Anyone opting not to purchase a private dental plan could access public dental services.