Federal Election 2025: Greens campaign for dental to be included on Medicare

The push for dental coverage to be included under Medicare comes with new data revealing the majority of senior Australians can’t afford the vital treatment.

At least one in two senior Australians are delaying dental appointments, with the majority revealing they can’t afford the vital treatment.

The damning new Australian Dental Association survey comes as emergency department presentations for painful dental issues among over 65s are projected to soar over the next three years.

Dental is set to be reignited as a federal election issue, with the Greens expected to push for it to be included in Medicare if they are in the balance of power.

“They (seniors) can’t get to the dentist regularly because they can’t afford it and so their mouths become a battleground of pain and infection management,” ADA president Dr Chris Sanzaro said.

“16,000 seniors were admitted to hospital for treatment of painful dental issues in 2022-23.

“That figure is expected to rise to 22,630 by 2027-28, representing a 42 per cent increase from an already unacceptable level. It’s a health trend that worsens by the year.”

Greens Leader Adam Bandt said the party will push for dental coverage in Medicare if they are in the balance of power. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The association’s annual study of 25,000 people found that 55 per cent of people 65 and over had delayed seeking dental treatment in the past 12 months.

Of these, two in three revealed affordability was the main issue — highlighting the physical toll the cost of living crisis is having on Australians as they are forced to make tough choices to make ends meet.

Seniors were also found to make fewer trips to the dentist than other age groups, despite a greater prevalence of debilitating oral issues such as tooth or gum pain, mouth or face swelling, or an infection.

The minor party says it has “unfinished business” on the issue after securing free dental for kids under 18 in 2010.

In 2021, the aged care royal commission recommended the federal government establish a seniors dental scheme come 2023.

It is estimated this would cost $1.1bn a year for 2.8 million eligible seniors. But neither major party has committed to this.

Originally published as Federal Election 2025: Greens campaign for dental to be included on Medicare