A " Dental Health " doubt !

The Federal government has just announced that it will create a new dental health scheme to bring the nation's teeth under the medical umbrella.   This is a long awaited initiative.  Australia has long ignored dental health and it has been the aim of many groups to include this as a normal facet of Medicare.  Proponents contend that seeing a dentist should be no different from seeing a doctor - and subsidised treatment costs should apply to both.

Cynics may question both the motive and the timing of this proposal, and in particular - how the government intends to fund the billions of dollars it will cost ?

The scheme is split into two separate options.   It will cost $ 2.7 billion to make dental treatment available to the nation's children, and this will come into effect on January 1, 2014.    The second phase will extend dental treatment to pensioners and low income residents.  This will cost $ 1.3 billion and come into effect on July 1, 2014.

What will stick in many people's minds is the fact that what we are talking about will not occur - until after the next Federal election.

It is perfectly normal for sitting governments to plan ahead and release their views on long term goals..  What is suspicious is the fact that on the poll figures consistently showing, this present government would not expect to be still in office when the present term expires.   An optimist could think that releasing future plans is a ploy to garner support and swing voter sentiments.  A pessimist could see this as deliberately planting land mines to make life difficult for the incoming government likely to replace them.

Suggestions such as this dental scheme are purely " pie in the sky " unless they are accompanied by a realistic scenario of financing.  Proposals of big ticket items that are unfunded seem to be making regular appearances at a time when the government is also promising a balanced budget - and indeed a surplus.

A decent dental scheme is long overdue and the only reason it has not been brought to reality in the past - is the enormous cost.   Governments of both political persuasions have tinkered around the edges, but the huge sum of money needed has been the stumbling block.

If this new proposal is to become reality we need to know how and where it will be financed.   Otherwise, it seems that there are politicians who really do believe in the generosity of the " Tooth Fairy " !