Proposed cuts to child dental benefits slammed

A LOCAL dentist has vowed to fight potential government cuts to child dental benefits.
Divine Dental Noosa principal dentist Dr Clive Creager said he was concerned over a recent update from the Australian Dental Association (ADA) informing him of funding cuts to The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).
“As a member of the ADA, I have received a very concerning update about the current CDBS,” Dr Creager said.
“The Federal Health Minister, The Hon Sussan Ley recently questioned the current CDBS and stated that the funding could be better allocated elsewhere.
“Which means there is a very real possibility the scheme will not exist after 1 July, leaving the three million children currently eligible under the scheme with reduced access to the vital preventive treatment the scheme currently provides.”
Dr Creager said the scheme was well received by the dental profession and said the ADA was encouraging members to lobby the government to continue the scheme.
“The scheme has been widely applauded by the dental profession for helping kids get access to dentistry early in life, thus putting them on the right track for a lifetime of good oral health,” he said.
“I will be personally putting my voice to this campaign. The ADA are hoping the public will write to their local MP stating how important the scheme is to the dental health of our children.”
The CDBS is a Commonwealth is a dental benefits program for eligible children aged two to 17 years that provides up to $1000 in benefits over two years to the child for basic dental services.
For more information regarding the schedule, head to the government’s website at www.humanservices.gov.au.