Recent findings reveal significant underutilisation of a dental programme providing free dental care for Australians aged from birth to 17 years. The Australian Dental Association (ADA) reported that merely one-third of eligible families take advantage of the government’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule.
A survey by the ADA highlighted a considerable amount of misinformation and uncertainty surrounding the scheme. Many parents seem either uninformed about its existence or unclear on their eligibility status. Among those who believe they qualify, only 56% have accessed the benefits for their children, which poses a risk to the dental health of numerous young Australians.
Dr Chris Sanzaro, President of the ADA, has urged the government to enhance awareness of this scheme, allowing more families to benefit from it. He noted, “Millions of eligible Australian families are either going without dental care or incurring unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses when the scheme could fund essential dental visits for kids.”
Describing the situation as one of “mystery and confusion,” Sanzaro stressed the urgency of better communication from the government regarding the programme. The Child Dental Benefits Schedule can offer eligible families up to $1132 over two years for a range of dental services, including examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fillings, root canals, and extractions.
Sanzaro expressed the desire to collaborate with the government to demystify the programme’s core components and to effectively promote the benefits to parents. His aim is to ensure that millions of children receive the necessary dental care to establish a foundation for good oral health as they grow.