Fed: ACOSS says Australia facing crisis in dental care

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-2007
Fed: ACOSS says Australia facing crisis in dental care

The Australian Council of Social Service says Australia is facing a crisis in dental care.

New research by ACOSS-backed activist forum AUSTRALIA FAIR .. shows nearly half of
all Australians cannot afford basic preventative dental care.

The findings show almost a quarter of those surveyed haven't seen a dentist for more
than two years .. and 46 per cent say they can't afford the 300 dollars for a basic preventive
dental treatment.

ACOSS Executive Director ANDREW JOHNSON says the research reinforces the fact that
Australia has a crisis in access to dental care .. particularly for low income and disadvantaged
Australians.

Mr JOHNSON says with large budget surpluses and a strong economy .. it's not fair that
one in four Australians haven't seen a dentist for two years or longer.

ACOSS wants Australians to lobby the federal government to fund dental care for people
on low incomes.

AAP RTV jb/sb/wz/psm/

KEYWORD: DENTAL (CANBERRA)

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