The Australian Dental Association (ADA) has raised concerns about the practicality of the Greens’ recent proposal to establish 1,000 super clinics staffed by dentists, doctors, and other health practitioners. The proposal is part of the Greens’ conditions for supporting the Labor Government in the event of a hung parliament.
Each proposed clinic would require 25 healthcare workers and aims to provide free healthcare. The Greens estimate that this initiative would need to attract about 10% of the dentists currently practicing elsewhere.
Dr. Scott Davis, president of the ADA, acknowledged that while the idea has merit, significant challenges remain. “The devil is in the detail, especially when it comes to securing the $54 billion needed over a decade to fund this initiative,” he said. Dr. Davis also pointed out that Labor has consistently indicated it will not increase federal funding for dental treatment in the near future.
To staff these clinics with existing dentists would mean luring them away from their current practices or training a large number of new dentists, which takes time and faces various constraints. “Making substantial progress on this within the next government’s term may be challenging,” he added.
Dr. Davis emphasized that while the plan has potential, careful consideration is needed regarding staffing and funding. The ADA is open to discussions with political parties to explore practical options for publicly funded dental policies.
In response to rising healthcare costs and access issues, the Greens are advocating for these clinics as part of a broader strategy to integrate dental care into Medicare. They argue that everyone should have access to necessary healthcare without financial barriers.
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