Victoria’s latest dental funding agreement announced

FUNDS for Victorian dental patients have been slashed by almost $30 million over the next two-and-a-half years as the Andrews Government fired a shot at the federal government over the issue.

The Andrews Government today signed off on the latest dental funding agreement with Canberra. Picture: AP

THE Turnbull Government has been accused of slashing its funding for adult Victorian dental patients by almost a third, forcing thousands of ­vulnerable patients to miss out on treatment or endure long delays.

The Andrews Government signed off on the latest dental funding agreement with Canberra today, but fired a shot at Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for cutting funding by almost $30 million over the next two-and-a-half years.

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Just hours after publicly trading barbs with Mr Turnbull over youth crime at an awkward joint press conference, acting premier James Merlino sent a signed copy of the National Partnership Agreement for dental funding back to the Prime Minister’s office accompanied by a letter slating him for the reduction.

“The 30 per cent reduction in funding offered to Victoria under the new agreement will mean that thousands of disadvantaged Victorian could miss out on access to this vital service, or be forced to wait longer than ever,” Mr Merlino wrote.

“Further, given more than half of Victoria’s public dental services are provided in rural communities, Victorians in regional and rural areas will be the hardest hit by these funding cuts.”

A spokesman for Health Minister Greg Hunt said the new national agreement had been out more than 18 months ago, prior to the federal election.

“The letter ignores the fact that in February last year the Commonwealth announced a more than $150 million increase for the Child Dental Benefit Scheme — a 43 per cent increase which will benefit Victorians,” spokesman John O’Doherty said.