Dental Plan For Students
Newcastle Herald
Monday March 3, 2008
KOTARA South Public School student Sebastian Webster is one of about 1 million young Australians who the Federal Government says will benefit from its new teen dental plan.
Health Minister Nicola Roxon said the $360 million plan starting from July 1 would allow eligible families to claim up to $150 for an annual check-up for children aged 12 to 17.The dental plan would be open to families eligible for Family Tax Benefit A, generally those on incomes of up to $155,000, depending on the number of children, and to teenagers on Abstudy or Youth Allowance benefits. Families would receive a voucher advising them of their eligibility for a dental rebate and the $150 would be reimbursed through Medicare.The dental plan was pledged during last year's federal election campaign.Ms Roxon said Labor's plan to cut emergency dental waiting lists was still being negotiated with the states.Sebastian's father, Kotara boatbuilder Russell Webster, said his son had gone last week to a State Government dental check-up at the new Hunter New England Health Service building in Hunter Street."We don't have private health insurance, but I think a lot of people take it up for the dental option," Mr Webster said."We had to book Sebastian in months ago for last week's visit."Historically, dentistry has been kept separate from the Medicare scheme, and the only benefits available under Medicare are for a limited range of procedures involving chronically ill patients.As part of its health reforms, Labor intends establishing a stand-alone teen Dental Benefits Schedule under Medicare.On Friday, the Australian Dental Association said it welcomed Labor's focus on preventative health programs but criticised the composition of the Government's National Health and Reform Commission.Association federal president John Matthews said it was disappointing that no-one from dentistry was on the commission.
© 2008 Newcastle Herald
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