Victoria's Labor Party has promised free dental care if it wins
The Labor government of the Australian state of Victoria has promised to open 10 public dental clinics offering free checkups and treatment if the party is re-elected in the November election. The program is set to receive 230 million Australian dollars, according to The Guardian World.
State Premier Ben Carroll is set to announce this initiative at a party event less than 100 days before the election. This will be Labor’s first major campaign pledge. The clinics plan to provide free checkups, fillings, root canals, and tooth extractions.
Seven clinics are planned for Melbourne, with three more in regional areas of Victoria where such services are lacking. The clinics will operate on a walk-in basis: weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and weekends from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Priority will be given to people with acute toothaches, swelling, or injuries.
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According to government estimates, once fully operational, the clinics will be able to treat more than 100,000 state residents each year. Carroll described the project as structural support for the population amid rising living costs and stated that this will be the first initiative of its kind by a state government in Australia.
Currently, free or subsidized dental care in most regions of Australia is available only to specific groups, including children and youth, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and holders of concession cards. The national health insurance system, Medicare, does not cover dental services for most adults.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the country spends more than 12 billion Australian dollars on dental services. About 61% of these costs are paid by patients themselves, 19% are covered by insurance funds, 11% by the federal government, and 8% by state governments.
