An extra 220 Victorians in rural communities will now be able to access the dental care and treatment they need thanks to an Andrews Labor Government funding boost to expand the mobile dental care program.
As part of a $2 million funding increase, a new mobile dental van will be provided to increase the number of people who can access oral health screening and treatment in rural and remote communities.
The addition of a new mobile van to the mobile dental care program will mean an additional 220 Victorians will get the high quality dental care and treatment they need, close to home.
Announcing the investment to celebrate Dental Health Services Victoria’s 20th anniversary, Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy, said the funding boost will also go towards upgrading imaging technology and IT systems at the Royal Dental Hospital Melbourne.
The purchase of a new digital x-ray for the Hospital will mean dentists can quickly share images with other clinicians and doctors, improving treatment times and care.
A new state-of-the-art picture archiving communication system will also improve referrals and access to services for rural and regional communities, while an upgrade of Dental Health Services Victoria’s client management IT system will improve wait list processes.
These upgrades will deliver better, safer diagnosis and quicker treatment of dental conditions to improve dental health for some of the most vulnerable Victorians.
The Labor Government is investing $206 million for public dental services in 2016/17 to provide dental treatment to more than 332,000 eligible Victorians.
While the Labor Government is investing, the latest round of the Turnbull Liberal Government’s “savings” will see $30 million slashed from Victoria’s dental health services and 40,000 Victorians miss out on vital dental care.
This follows a further reduction of 214,000 Victorian dental treatments as a result of Federal Liberal Government’s savage cuts in last year’s Federal Budget.
The mobile dental care program is a partnership between the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the Australian Dental Association and Dental Health Services Victoria.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“This funding boost will mean more Victorians will receive faster, safer diagnosis, care and treatment of dental conditions – closer to home and when they need it.”
“While we continue to invest in our dental system, the Turnbull Liberal Government’s latest savage cuts will see 40,000 Victorians miss out on critical oral healthcare, screening and treatment.”
“Congratulations to Dental Health Services Victoria on 20 fantastic years of dedicated service to our community.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020