If you’re wondering where you can find the best dentist in Australia, you’ve come to the right place. Dental Australia provides information about McConnell Dental and Oral Health practitioners, organisations that provide dental services, and Government funding for dental care. This article is intended to help you find the best dentist in your area and learn more about the many benefits of dental care.
Dentists in Australia
In Australia, the majority of dental care is privately funded. Most patients pay for their services out of pocket, but many also rely on private health insurance to subsidize the cost. Patients who have private health insurance are more likely to visit the dentist regularly and undergo more expensive procedures. The government also provides health cards to those who qualify. These cards are usually issued to low-income groups.
The Dental Services industry is expected to grow steadily over the next few years, thanks to a growing population, rising disposable incomes, and increased consumer expectations. Innovation in dental technology and improved treatments for the ageing population will also drive demand. Dental Australia has over 16,500 practitioners, including specialists and general practitioners. The majority of them work in private practices. Some work in large dental groups, while others are solo practitioners.
Registered dental practitioners must meet standards and undergo a background check to ensure they are qualified to practice dentistry. The Board of Dental Australia accredits dental practices, and requires their staff to meet national safety and quality health service standards.
Oral health practitioners in Australia
While dental professionals in Australia typically perform a wide range of dental treatments, oral health practitioners can provide a different type of service. These professionals are often referred to as ‘dental therapists’ and can be found in both private and public practice settings. These professionals often provide preventive care for patients of all ages and are a valuable addition to a dentist’s team.
Oral health practitioners are an integral part of the dental workforce in Australia. They are part of a team of professionals that often work closely with GPs. Often, GPs refer patients to these professionals when they experience a dental problem, as they understand the close connection between dental and medical health. For example, oral disease can cause a host of systemic diseases, such as stroke and renal failure, so GPs often need to work with dental practitioners to coordinate patient care.
In rural and remote communities, non-dental primary care providers face specific challenges in providing oral health services. The lack of access to dental services is one of the main reasons why some rural and regional residents suffer from a greater risk of dental caries and other oral health problems. Despite these challenges, non-dental primary care providers remain confident in their ability to provide oral health services. They also have a unique perspective on how they can improve oral health care services.
Organisations that provide dental services in Australia
The widespread establishment of auxiliary dental services providers in Australia reflects the goal of providing state-of-the-art dental health care to all people. However, the cost of such care is increasing, mainly because of the inflationary impact of technological progress. New treatments have made previously incurable dental conditions treatable, but the complexity of bringing new modalities into Australia increases costs as well.
Although dental services are not covered by the Medicare scheme, the majority of Australians are responsible for financing them. However, governments are increasingly supporting access to these services. This has led to a debate over who should pay for dental health services. The debate over the role of the Commonwealth in providing dental services has also included calls for dental health benefits to be included in the universal health care system.
The National Dental Foundation and the ADHF were established 13 years ago to provide a more organised platform for the dental industry to help underprivileged people. Together, they aim to rationalise the delivery of volunteer dental services in Australia.
Government funding for dental services in Australia
The Australian Dental Association (ADA) has released a paper laying out its recommendations for improving oral health care in Australia. The association believes that the 2016-2017 Federal Budget represents a unique opportunity to address some of the gaps in oral health care provision. The recommendations include changes to current dental schemes that would ensure that more Australians have access to dental care.
The funding for private dental services is currently subsidised for the well-off and dentally healthy. However, the money could be better used to provide community-wide preventive services for low-income and vulnerable Australians. This would have a greater impact on oral health and a more equitable use of government funds.
Dental services in Australia account for about 5.7 per cent of the total health expenditure in Australia. However, the vast majority of dental care in Australia is provided by private practitioners and financed by families and individuals. The Federal, State and Territory Governments provide only a fraction of this funding.