08 June 2006

$40 million for more dental health services

A $40 million funding boost for dental health in the 2006/07 Budget will lead to new models of care, more dental staff, expanded water fluoridation and initiatives targeting early intervention and prevention of oral health problems.

Minister for Health John Hatzistergos said the $40 million would be spent over four years, with $4 million in 2006/07 Budget, for improved dental healthcare across NSW.

The funding will be used to:

• Treat more people on the waiting list, particularly in rural areas
• Target early intervention of oral health problems in "high risk" groups such as early childhood and aged care
• Expand fluoridation of water across seven NSW councils
• Increase service delivery with a $1 million investment in the Oral Health Fee for Service Scheme
• $2.2 million to employ an extra 20 dental teams, including dentists, specialists, therapists, hygienists and interns.

This brings funding for dental health services in the 2006/07 Budget to $127 million.

Mr Hatzistergos also announced an immediate $2.28 million funding boost on top of the $40 million package for new dental equipment in each of the State's Area Health Services, including:

• More dental chairs
• Digital radiography machines and other X-ray equipment
• Dental equipment such as high speed and low speed hand pieces
• Sterilising equipment
• Minor building works and refurbishments.

"We are focusing on reducing dental waiting lists, increasing clinical services and attracting and retaining more oral health staff," he said.

"Prevention is also a key component to be delivered through new models of dental care, using dental hygienists and dental therapists, focusing on early intervention, prevention and maintenance to complement access to acute dental services.

"The NSW Government is committed to improving access to dental services for those most at risk and in need of public dental care.

"We are balancing the need for short-term initiatives to meet the immediate need for dental services with longer term strategies to address issues such as workforce shortages and improved prevention."

Mr Hatzistergos said access for rural dental patients was a priority under the new Budget allocation.

"In the first year of the program we will be recruiting more dentists, supplemented by Rural Dental Scholarships for undergraduate dental students, and enhancements to rural dental centres of excellence," he said.

"Increased oral healthcare for Aboriginal, elderly and special needs patients will also be phased in over the four-years.

"Greater emphasis will be placed on early childhood dental care and prevention through partnerships between dental providers and general health services in child, maternity and community care.

"These measures will reduce the progress of dental disease and better manage waiting lists and waiting times for dental services."

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au