Labor's Dental deception.........

[Angelmist♥]

Two months ago, Labor voted against the Coalition’s dental plan to give people with chronic disease and poor oral health up to $4,250 in treatment. At the time, Labor said that it would have a broader plan.
It now transpires that Labor’s dental plan is to cover just half the cost of a consultation for teenagers from families eligible for Family Tax Benefit A. This demonstrates that their health policies are made for headlines and not for patients.
Thanks to the Coalition, from 1 November, eligible patients can get up to $4,250 worth of Medicare-funded dental treatment over two consecutive calendar years. About 200,000 people with chronic or complex conditions who require treatment such as restorative dental work or dentures can receive this treatment through Medicare, thanks to the Howard Government.
Labor says that its latest proposal is “an important first step in Federal Labor’s longer term plan of providing broader dental coverage for Australian families through Medicare.”
However, the fundamental principle of Medicare is that it is universal and does not discriminate by age or income level. Labor’s willingness to demolish this important feature shows that they can not be trusted with Medicare.
Rudd’s record on dental services speaks for itself. When he was head of the Cabinet office in Queensland and intimately involved in health policy, he did not fluoridate the water supply, and it is still not fluoridated.
If state run school dental services were working effectively, Mr Rudd’s scheme would be unnecessary. Yet again federal Labor is campaigning on problems caused by state Labor.

From here (http://www.liberal.org.au/team/tonyabbott/documents/12112007laborsdentaldeception.pdf)

[missie_mack]

Umm I think that the plan you are talking about from Labor has been described as a first step in many where as the Coalitions dental care is only for those

Under this policy, if you have a chronic medical condition, like valvular heart disease or diabetes or malignancies of the head and neck AND you have poor oral health or a dental condition which is exacerbating a chronic and complex disease AND you are being treated under a Multidisciplinary Care Plan, then you are eligible for assistance with your dental care.

I would much rather see one in 3 teenagers getting dental assistance than only the small majority which is the coalitions policy.

As for fluoriding the water. Highly contentious issue. Many people do not want their water fluorided...

[forbetoel]

I don't see the 'deception'
Labor's policy is obviously a 'long term' plan, that will see much more people benifit.

[Angelmist♥]

Hmm like they've benefitted from the labor's 'long term' dental plan so far?

[forbetoel]

Hmm like they've benefitted from the labor's 'long term' dental plan so far?

What do you mean?

[Angelmist♥]

Missie mack, I was just wondering if I can see the source of your quote?:)

[Angelmist♥]

For me, the facts speak for themselves. I live in QLD, a labor run state for the last 10yrs. Labor state governments for the 2006-2007 financial yrs budget was $68 billion...The state governments are in charge of health which includes dental!

For me, it's not rocket science!Whether Howard gets to stay tomorrow, it doesn't matter.As of the 1st November this policy is now in place. To me that speaks volumes......that he's finally sick of seeing labor not providing and went ahead and did it himself regardless of the election. It's not something he promises to put into place if re-elected, it's not a 'promise anything and everything to get in' even though we can't afford it..........

[forbetoel]

I thought you were talking about the current Federal Labor policy?

[missie_mack]

From 1 November 2007, most dental services will be available under Medicare for people with chronic conditions and complex care needs taken from Medicare website


Which patients are eligible for dental services under Medicare?

To be eligible, you must have a chronic medical condition and complex care needs and your oral health must be impacting on, or likely to impact on, your general health.

A chronic medical condition is one that has been or is likely to be present for at least six months. It may include, but is not limited to, conditions such as asthma, cancer, cardiovascular illness, diabetes mellitus, arthritis, mental illness, musculoskeletal conditions and stroke.
Complex care needs means that you are receiving ongoing care from a multidisciplinary team, which includes your GP and at least two other health or care providers. Taken from Department of Health

[Angelmist♥]

I thought you were talking about the current Federal Labor policy?

hmm this one? (http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/dental-policy-failure-shows-opposition-is-still-teething/2007/09/25/1190486312426.html)

[Angelmist♥]

A chronic medical condition is one that has been or is likely to be present for at least six months. It may include, but is not limited to, conditions such as asthma, cancer, cardiovascular illness, diabetes mellitus, arthritis, mental illness, musculoskeletal conditions and stroke.

So someone with a headache/migraine because of a wisdom tooth would be covered.

You're all acting like it's a bad thing that people will be covered:confused: I thought it was supposed to be liberal supporters who didn't care about society!

[missie_mack]

Missie mack, I was just wondering if I can see the source of your quote?:)

Came straight from the ALP website but I had checked my details elsewhere before using that quote.


For me, the facts speak for themselves. I live in QLD, a labor run state for the last 10yrs. Labor state governments for the 2006-2007 financial yrs budget was $68 billion...The state governments are in charge of health which includes dental!

For me, it's not rocket science!Whether Howard gets to stay tomorrow, it doesn't matter.As of the 1st November this policy is now in place. To me that speaks volumes......that he's finally sick of seeing labor not providing and went ahead and did it himself regardless of the election. It's not something he promises to put into place if re-elected, it's not a 'promise anything and everything to get in' even though we can't afford it..........

I can appreciate that Queensland may be due for a change. 10 years is a long time for any government but sadly it seems that the majority would like to see the government stay.

However with the dental plan implemented as of November 1 I cant imagine too many people will meet the criteria of having a significant health problem that is worsened by their dental issues :confused:

[forbetoel]

hmm this one? (http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/dental-policy-failure-shows-opposition-is-still-teething/2007/09/25/1190486312426.html)

Well yes if you are now talking about the current Federal Labor party policy. I just got confused when you started talking about your State government.

[missie_mack]

So someone with a headache/migraine because of a wisdom tooth would be covered.

You're all acting like it's a bad thing that people will be covered:confused: I thought it was supposed to be liberal supporters who didn't care about society!

I dont think it is a bad thing. It is a step back to what we already had if I remember rightly. However I dont know if it will benefit a minority or a majority. As for the migraine issue I think thats a big assumption. I am yet to find anything online that clearly defines who is eligble and if it was meant to help everyone I would think it should be more clearly stipulated :confused:

[forbetoel]

I thought it was supposed to be liberal supporters who didn't care about society!

Well I have never thought that. Why do you?

I have said that a lot of liberal supporters only vote with their own personal interest in mind.........doesn't mean that I think they are otherwise uncaring people.

[Angelmist♥]

4boys, maybe you haven't TBH I can't be bothered searching :p It is a wide-spread belief here though that lib supporters only care about themselves yet labor supporters 'think of all of society' :rolleyes:

[missie_mack]

So someone with a headache/migraine because of a wisdom tooth would be covered.

Ok Ive done some more reading and you must be treated by your GP for a chronic medical condition or complex care issue managed by the GP for a minimum of 6 months. I really dont think wisdom teeth giving you a migraine would be covered but if it was you would have to have them removed in the chair as if you go into hospital you will not be covered at all.


The items are not available to admitted hospital patients (ie the items apply to out-of-hospital dental services only).

Look to be honest I have seen both of DHs grandparents have their teeth rotting out of their mouths for lack of funds to have anything done for it. Even though DHs grandfather served in WWII and had a full gold card and his grandmother now gets a widows allowance. So anything that helps that has to be a good thing and I will be suggesting heavily that she consider seeing if she is eligible.

My grandmother had all of her teeth taken out in the chair during WWII and she did it without gas because it was too expensive because of the war. I would never wish upon anyone a return to days like this and for anyone to have to suffer this type of dental care :barf:

[Angelmist♥]

I think it's all in the wording missie mack!

I read that if you had been suffering for 6mths or you would be likely to suffer for 6 mths.

[missie_mack]

It is a wide-spread belief here though that lib supporters only care about themselves yet labor supporters 'think of all of society' :rolleyes:

:laughing: I think it is bred into many people because of the beginnings of the various parties. Sadly people seem to forget it isnt just the liberals it is actually a coalition which consists of the old farmers party or nationals as they are called now. Merger or take over do you think??
Funnily enough I think many people still see labor supporters a red neck catholics.... and the Democrats as long haired hippy dreamers with gay tendancies but not as hippy as the Greenies.