Recommendations
The Committee recommends:
Recommendation 1: That the Commonwealth, in consultation with the
States and Territories and other key stakeholders in the public and private
dental sectors, support the development of programs to improve the promotion of
oral health throughout Australia.
Recommendation 2: That the Commonwealth Government support the
introduction of a vocational training program for new dental graduates,
especially to assist in the delivery of oral health services to people in rural
or remote areas.
Recommendation 3: That the use of dental auxiliaries such as therapists
and hygienists be expanded, particularly to cater for the needs of specific
disadvantaged groups and that, to this end, the States and Territories be
encouraged to review legislation restricting the employment of such
auxiliaries.
Recommendation 4: That support be given to a national oral health
training strategy for health workers and carers, specifically including those
working in the fields of aged care and Aboriginal health.
Recommendation 5: That the Commonwealth assist the States and
Territories to establish, conduct and evaluate highly targeted pilot programs
to address the priority oral health needs of the following specific
disadvantaged groups: pre school-age children (1 to 5 years), young adult
Health Card holders (18 to 25 years), aged adult Health Card holders (65+
years), the homebound, rural and remote communities, and indigenous
Australians. Such programs should include a capacity for the individual beneficiary
to make a contribution to the treatment costs.
Recommendation 6: That the Commonwealth Government adopt a leadership
role in introducing a national oral health policy, and give consideration to
the possibility of using the National Public Health Partnership as the vehicle
for developing and implementing that policy in partnership with the States and
Territories.
Recommendation 7: That the national oral health policy include the:
- setting of national oral health
goals;
- establishment of national standards
for the provision of, and access to, oral health care and the quality of
services;
- establishment of national
strategies and priorities for oral health care reform, with an emphasis on
preventive dentistry;
- setting of minimum service
targets; and
- monitoring national oral health
goals through the maintenance of a national data collection and evaluation
centre and undertaking research into current and projected needs.
Recommendation 8: That the Commonwealth allocate resources for a
national oral health survey, to be conducted as a priority, to establish data
on the oral health status and oral health needs of the Australian community.
Recommendation 9: That the Commonwealth Department of Health and Family
Services create a dedicated section or appoint an appropriately qualified
senior officer with responsibility for oral health matters, and that the
necessary resources to fulfil the role and responsibilities of such an office
be provided.
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