CHAIR —We are going to go to another petition that is before us today—that is, Medicare funding for dental treatment. I am just wondering if you could tell the committee about access to dental health care by older Australians and those who live in rural and regional Australia. I would also like to know what the waiting time would be in those areas.

Mrs Hancock —There are two avenues for access to dental treatment, either the public sector or the private sector. The majority of dental services are presently provided by the private sector, and that is across Australia, be it rural, remote or metropolitan. In terms of public sector dental services, those are presently provided by the states and territories. There are also a number of Commonwealth programs which subsidise access to dental treatment. That includes the Medicare Teen Dental Plan, which is for teenagers and not for older people, the Medicare chronic disease dental scheme, which is available to people with chronic disease regardless of age and geographic location, and some other Medicare items relating to specific types of specialised dental care.

CHAIR —The minister’s letter details a number of targeted schemes to improve the dental health of particular groups of people within the community. I am wondering whether there are groups within the community that may be missed by these interventions?

Mrs Hancock —Obviously the teen dental plan is only for teenagers aged 12 to 17 and that is the only group that is eligible for that plan. The Medicare chronic disease dental items are available to people who meet the chronic disease requirements regardless of age.

CHAIR —Mr Broadbent, do you have a question?

Mr BROADBENT —No, not today.

CHAIR —You look after your teeth do you? That is good to hear.

Mr BROADBENT —I am not very good at it.

CHAIR —That will probably be in the Hansard. You can tell it is our last committee meeting until 3 February next year. I will ask one more question. What is the estimated cost of Australians not having acceptable dental health—that is, the opportunity cost of dental health care? Do you have a cost figure on that?

Mr Eccles —We have not done any studies into that. I am not aware of whether or not there have been independent academic studies done, but that is something we can take on notice and, if we can find that information, we will refer it to you.

CHAIR —That would be would be good, if you could that. A final question, I promise you: can you tell the committee the extent to which poor dental health contributes to other health conditions that weigh heavily on the public purse in Australia?

Mr Eccles —Certainly the medical information and medical evidence does show that there is quite some link between certain conditions and poor oral health. That is one of the reasons that the chronic disease dental scheme was put in place, because people with chronic disease often do have a co-morbidity with poor oral health. A range of literature shows links between poor oral hygiene and heart health, for example. Do you have anything further to add, Mrs Hancock?

Mrs Hancock —No, I do not have any particular data.

Mr Eccles —Again, that is something we could look into and provide you with reference to some of the health literature because it certainly has been the focus of some study.

CHAIR —That would be appreciated because, as you know, we have a website and the principal petitioner and the people who signed the petition would like to follow what the ministerial response was and what the department said. That would be very helpful and I am sure they will be happy with what you have stated to us today.

Mr Eccles —We will liaise with some of our medical officers back in the office who would be able to answer the question far more eloquently than I can; they are more informed.

CHAIR —Thank you for that. Thank you for coming before the committee today. Our last petition refers to the change of rural status of Gawler in South Australia.

[11.37 am]