Fix Private Health Insurance for Older Australians – Add your voice and SIGN PETITION HERE
Australians aged over 50 say action to address key cost of living pressures such as grocery costs and energy bills is key to getting their vote in the upcoming election.
The Australian Dental Association (ADA) findings from its annual study of 25,000 people found that affordability was the main reason older Australians put off getting dental treatment, with two in three (64%) of over 65s delaying dental trips in the last year because they couldn’t afford it.
COTA Australia – the leading advocacy organisation for older people – Chief Executive Officer, Patricia Sparrow, said the Federal Election agenda is practical and achievable list of some of the key issues facing older people that need urgent action.
Chief Executive Officer of COTA Australia – the leading advocacy organisation for older people – Patricia Sparrow said the statistics should act as a wake-up call on the much needed introduction of a Seniors Dental Benefit Scheme.
The government’s response to a report into dental services has highlighted the needs of older people and First Nations communities, but failed to commit to urgent action to ensure adequate dental care for the most vulnerable older Australians.
Given the broader health and welling implications, especially for older people, we are asking the Federal Government to take urgent steps to introduce a Seniors Dental Benefit Scheme – a scheme recommended by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety for all residents of nursing homes,
We are urging the Federal Government to introduce a Seniors Dental Benefit Scheme to ensure our most vulnerable older Australians get access to the oral and dental health care they need.
COTA Australia calls for action on dental cover
Almost four in ten Australians (37%) aged 55+ have delayed or completely put off going to the dentist in the past year due to cost, research released today by COTA Australia – the leading advocacy organisation for older Australians has found.
The introduction of a Seniors Dental Benefit Scheme is crucial to ensuring all older Australians, no matter what their financial situation, can access the dental services they need, COTA Australia says.
COTA Australia, in May 2023, provided a submission to the Select Committee’s inquiry into the Provision and Access of Dental Services in Australia. Our submission focuses on sharing the views and experiences of people aged 50 years and above with dental services in Australia.
The time to invest in a national dental program is now. We need to see the government develop a publicly funded senior dental health program, bulk billed through Medicare.
We welcome the opportunity to submit this submission in advance of the 2022/23 Federal Budget.