Pulling Teeth: Overview : SBS Insight

Overview

Dabbling in DIY dentistry, going abroad to get cheaper dental procedures and taking out loans - these are the extreme measures some Australians are taking to fix their teeth.

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As dental fees rise, a third of Australians say cost is the main reason they put off seeing a dentist.

Insight reveals that some dentists are being offered incentives by finance companies like GE Money to broker loans to struggling patients.

"If we put through three successful applications we get a Village Cinema pass and if we put five through we get two Village Cinema passes and a $50 Myer voucher," Perth dentist, Graham Wheeler, tells Insight host Jenny Brockie.

President of the Australian Dental Association, Dr John Matthews confirms that his organisation receives around $20,000 sponsorship and funding for research from GE Money.

Insight brings together politicians, dentists and patients to ask; Why is Australia's oral health in decay? Why does going to the dentist cost so much? And should dental work be covered by Medicare?

Meet the Guests

Associate Professor Hans Zoellner

Associate Professor Hans Zoellner is the Chair of the Association for the Promotion of Oral Health - a peak advocacy group pushing for better dental services in Australia. He is also the head of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine at the University of Sydney.

Dr John Matthews

Dr John Matthews is the Federal President of the Australian Dental Association. The association represents more than 90 percent of the nation's dentists.

The Hon. Joe Hockey MP

Joe Hockey is the Federal Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing. He says the States have shown themselves to be incompetent in the administration of public dental care.

Tony Windsor MP

Tony Windsor MP is the Independent Federal Member for New England. He's an advocate for dental being treated under Medicare.

Chris Planer

Chris Planer is 28 and has severe dental problems as a result of radiation therapy three years ago. He is receiving free dental care under a Medicare scheme introduced by the Howard Government. The Rudd Government has decided to drop the scheme.