Thousands of vulnerable Ballarat residents could miss out on critical dental treatment following a new funding agreement, according to the Victorian government.
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The Turnbull Government signed a new two and a half year national partnership agreement on public dental services for adults with the Andrews Government yesterday.
But according to the state government, Ballarat Health Services are projected to have a funding loss of more than one million dollars over the life of the agreement, representing 2,459 people who will potentially will not be treated.
The new agreement signals a 30 per cent cut to dental investment from previous funding levels, amounting to almost $30 million over two and a half years within Victoria.
A spokesperson for Health Minister Greg Hunt said the claims from the state government ignore the fact the Commonwealth announced a more than $150 million increase to the Child Dental Benefit Scheme in February last year, “a 43 per cent increase which will benefit Victorians.”
“We welcome Victoria signing the agreement for funding – which was set out prior to the election and over 18 months ago,” the spokesperson.
The public health system in Victoria treats more than 330,000 people each year, with more than half of public dental agencies located in regional areas.
Across the Grampians Region, the total reduction in funding could mean 3,705 people who do not receive dental care, or more than $1.5 million over two and half years.
Member for Buninyong Geoff Howard said the federal government’s new dental program will “leave thousands of Victorians without the dental care they need and deserve.”
“2,500 dental patients in Ballarat will soon be unable to access dental care and treatment as a direct result of cuts by the Turnbull Government – that’s not good enough,” he said.
Fairfax Media reported last year that close to 70,000 Australians are admitted to hospital with dental conditions considered preventable with better hygiene, diet or earlier treatment, according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data analysed by finder.com.au.
This includes about 6700 Victorian children and teenagers.
Ballarat Health Services were contacted for comment but did not respond before deadline.