Poor dental hygiene can lead to chronic diseases like oral infections, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, irritable bowel, diverticulitis and constipation because sugar and fat are cheaper, addictive and softer to eat. This diet can force the aged into hospital, hostel/nursing home care long before it is necessary.
To ensure good dental health a National Dental Scheme was set up so people could get dental work they could not afford regardless of finances, employment, health insurance and age. Alas in the early days the system was rorted with million dollar smiles from gold fillings but it still exists.
Australian residents can get free dental care with private dentists through Medicare under certain conditions. The person must be suffering from a chronic disease or condition, one that has persisted for more than three months. Conditions include hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, re-flux, depression, anxiety, dermatitis, kidney disease and chronic fatigue syndrome.
The procedure is to go to your dentist and obtain a thorough written quote for all work required. It may cover work by orthodontists or dental prosthesis.
Next go to your GP and state that you cannot pay this amount. You can take the quote for a health insurance rebate amount as well if you are covered. There is usually a considerable gap, depending on the amount of work required.
The scheme allows up to $4,000 of dental work per person over a 2 year period. The ability to eat a larger range of healthy, often raw food fruit, nuts or vegetables and cooked meat is important for maintaining general good health.
Anon- Retired. Reg. Nurse
Anon- Retired. Reg. Nurse
