Government to Support Dentists who Donate their time for Free

View by date:

• May
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December

• 2013
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004

PDF printable version of Government to Support Dentists who Donate their time for Free (PDF 172 KB)

31 August 2012

Minister for Health, Tanya Plibersek, today announced that the Government would support the work of dentists who give their time for free to help the most disadvantaged get dental treatment.

The Government will invest $450,000 over three years in the work of the National Dental Foundation who coordinate pro bono dental services.

“The National Dental Foundation does a fantastic job in matching clients from charities who need urgent dental work but are unable to pay, with dentists who are willing to donate their time for free,” said Ms Plibersek.

“The Foundation runs “Dental Rescue Days” in which dental professionals provide services to many of the most needy, often making a big difference to the person’s health.

“The funding will allow a significant expansion of the National Dental Foundation’s work in all States and Territories and I would like to thank all those dentists who generously provide pro-bono services.

“The Government recently announced its $4 billion National Dental Reform package to fundamentally improve services for Australian families and this funding also recognises the important role that pro-bono work plays in the profession,” said Ms Plibersek.

Founder and Director of the National Dental Foundation, Mervin Saultry, welcomed the funding.

“The National Dental Foundation has been working to provide services to street kids, homeless people, women and children in refuges and remote indigenous communities for seven years and this will allow us to help more people in need,” said Mr Saultry.

“The funding will enable the Foundation to appoint part time coordinators in each State to increase the scale of free basic dental treatment to the genuinely disadvantaged.

“The funding is also a formal recognition of the efforts of volunteer dental professionals who donate their private practices, time and skills for Foundation Dental Rescue Days,” said Mr Saultry.

Charities who refer their clients to the National Dental Foundation have also welcomed the funding that will directly help them improve the oral health of their clients.

Anglicare Australia’s Executive Director Kasy Chambers argued that continuing dental problems lead to poor health and wellbeing.

“Having good teeth is pretty basic to Australian life these days. And for some people, this scheme could make the crucial difference” Ms Chambers said.

The funding is part of the $515.3 million that was allocated to dental services in the 2012/13 Budget.