Australian dental practitioner attitudes to expanding Medicare to include more dental services.

Abstract

Background: The exclusion of dentistry from Medicare in Australia means there is limited public funding available to address widespread disparities in access to dental care, which is provided predominantly by private practitioners. The aim of this study was to investigate dental practitioners' attitudes towards expanding Medicare to include more dental services.

Methods: An online survey was distributed to Australian dental practitioners between November 2024 and February 2025. The survey collected demographic information and assessed support for various models of Medicare expansion and perceptions related to affordability and access.

Results: A total of 447 dental practitioners completed the survey. Overall, 64.7% supported expanding Medicare to include more dental services, with higher support amongst females, non-dentists (oral health therapists, dental therapists, dental hygienists and dental prosthetists), those with more experience, and practitioners in regional/remote areas or the public sector. Respondents reported a significant proportion of their patients faced challenges affording dental care. Practitioners favoured means-tested and capped schemes that included diagnostic, preventive, restorative and periodontal treatments. Tensions between social responsibility and business imperatives were evident, with concerns raised about the impact on income, potential for overservicing, and the need for appropriate oversight.

Conclusion: There was strong support from dental practitioners for expanding Medicare to include more dental services, particularly to financially disadvantaged patient groups with targeted and capped schemes and a focus on essential dental care. This study reinforces the need to reform the dental care system in Australia and take steps towards universal health coverage for dental services to address disparities in access and health outcomes.