A total of thirty-five recommendations have been made following a federal inquiry to improve dental care across Australia, including increasing access in rural areas.

The inquiry into the provision of and access to dental services in Australia began on 8 March, 2023, and quickly found that 97 per cent of the community supports the idea of supporting free dental care services. 

In the inquiry, it was identified that people who live outside of capital cities have fewer teeth, and that rural-based patients are the exception when it comes to people with private health insurance having good oral health and adequate access to services. 

Unsurprisingly, cost appeared as a major barrier to access, as well as just location. 

“No one should have to choose between paying their rent, eating three meals a day, and getting the oral healthcare they need,” Chair of the inquiry Senator Jordon Steele-John said. 

“This inquiry has brought to light the significant amount of reform that is needed across state, territory and Federal governments to improve access to oral healthcare.”

The final recommendation of the report offers a bold hope for the future. 

“The committee recommends that the Australian Government works with the states and territories to achieve universal access to dental and oral health care, which expands coverage under Medicare or a similar scheme for essential oral health care, over time, in stages.”

It echoes the sentiment of the Greens Party, which pushed free dental care under Medicare as a major feature of their federal election campaign in 2022. 

Instead, the funding model proposed by the National Rural Health Alliance focuses on rural people. 

“We require better strategies to support and improve the dental workforce supply and funding for community-based oral health services in rural areas,” she said

Under their proposed Primary care Rural Integrated Multidisciplinary Health Services (PRIM-HS) model, a stronger rural workforce would help with access, quality, and cost of care.

“We recommend the government increase and implement appropriate funding mechanisms to support flexibly funded and delivered public oral health services in rural communities,” said Susi Tegen, Chief Executive of the Alliance. 

In the final report, recommendations to include rural access included the expansion and establishment of dental schools in regional areas, incentivising dental and oral health providers to practice in regional and remote areas, and to provide scholarships for regional-based dental students.