In a country known for its sunny beaches and rugged outback, there’s a less picturesque side that often goes unnoticed.
The state of Australians’ oral health seems like a silent epidemic that’s gnawing away at the well-being of many and it’s a ‘strong indicator of disadvantage’ in the country.
Matt Hopcraft, an associate professor in professional practice at the Melbourne Dental School at the University of Melbourne, weighed in on this grim reality faced by a significant number of Australians–the struggle to access and afford dental care.
This isn’t just about aesthetics; poor oral health can lead to severe dental diseases with consequences that ripple out, affecting overall health and quality of life.
It’s a problem that’s been exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis, making dental care even less attainable for those already at a disadvantage.
This problem is one of the dire consequences of the exclusion of dentistry from Medicare, creating a two-tier system where your wallet dictates the quality of your dental care. While medical care is largely subsidised by the government, dental costs are mostly out-of-pocket expenses, with private health insurance subsidies favouring those with higher incomes.
The disparity is stark. Those who can afford it enjoy timely and comprehensive dental care, while those who rely on public dental services can face waiting times of more than two years for basic care. This has led to about half of the population skipping regular dental visits, with cost being the primary barrier.
‘We are failing through a lack of national leadership because it is apparent that successive governments have not placed sufficient value or priority on the importance of good oral health,’ opined Hopcraft.
The Chronic Disease Dental Scheme, introduced by the Howard government, was scrapped by the Rudd/Gillard government, and the Commonwealth Dental Health Plan that was supposed to replace it never came to fruition.
While the Child Dental Benefits Scheme was a step in the right direction, providing care to vulnerable children, overall funding for public dental services has reportedly been inconsistent and insufficient.
Beyond the financial toll of lost productivity estimated at $700 million and preventable hospitalisations at about $1.6 billion each year, there’s the human cost. Poor oral health exacerbates conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes and diminishes quality of life.

To fix this problem, Hopcraft believes that a universal public dental care system is not an unattainable dream ‘if we really cared about improving oral health.’
Estimates suggest that such a scheme could cost anywhere from $1.8 billion a year for preventive care to $7.7 billion for a more comprehensive approach.
The Greens’ dental scheme was recently costed at $14 billion a year by the Parliamentary Budget Office. While these figures may seem daunting, they represent an investment in the nation’s health, with potential savings in hospitalisations and improved productivity.
‘In an ideal world, a truly universal dental scheme would provide preventive and general dental care across the whole population, with some of the costs borne by the government while allowing providers to charge a co-payment–in much the same way Medicare operates,’ said Hopcraft.
While the political landscape has been fraught with indecision and blame-shifting between state and federal governments, Hopcraft says that there’s an opportunity for change with federal elections on the horizon.
The Labor party has also acknowledged the gap in Medicare and has expressed a commitment to providing universal access to affordable dental services. The aged care royal commission and a Senate select committee have both highlighted the urgent need for reform.
We invite you to share your experiences and thoughts on this pressing issue with the YourLifeChoices community. What changes would you like to see in the system?
Also read: The current state of Australia’s dental system and how it could impact you