New statistics gathered by the Australian Dental Association (ADA) show pulling the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) could be even more harmful than previously thought. The ADA says dentists are beginning to see take up of the program improve just as the federal government is planning its shut down.
New statistics gathered by the The current CDBS aims to cover, every two years, $1,000 worth of treatment for 3.4 million children in the lower socio-economic echelons. The idea is to get kids who would not normally be able to receive expensive treatments in the chair early and halt dental decay in its tracks.
This roll back may be coming at the worst time possible—sugar intake is on the rise and there doesn’t seem to be any decline in sight.
“Australia is one of the top 10 countries for high levels of per capita consumption of soft drink,” the ADA warned in a statement. “A third of Australians drink a can a day and almost half of children (47 per cent) aged between two and 16 years drink sugar-sweetened beverages each day. This means that if such habits continue, Australians stand to develop a multitude of health problems in the future.”
The comments from federal health minister Sussan Ley’s office have not been encouraging, leaving dentists questioning whether the roll back will take this sugary issue into account.
“The Commonwealth has a responsibility to ensure every dollar it invests in dental services delivers the best health outcomes possible,” said a spokesman for the minister.
“We also know that tackling dental health issues early is vital and can alleviate more significant problems and expense later in life. The Turnbull Government continues to work on its previously announced dental health reforms, with more details expected in coming weeks.”
As yet though there seems to be little on the cards to follow overseas interest in a sugar tax as an attempt to curb dental decay. The ADA continue to voice the concern that losing the CDBS will not help regulate the situation.
“While the United Kingdom is protecting oral health by announcing its sugar tax, the Australian Government instead plans to kill the Child Dental Benefits Schedule,” said a statement from the ADA.
“In just over the two years of the CDBS’ operation, children from low income families have benefited from provision of more than 9.7 million dental treatments; services which they could not otherwise have been able to access.
“No government can legitimately claim it cares about Australian children’s oral health if it denies them dental care because of the lack of means.”
