Child and Adult Public Dental Scheme

From 1 July 2016, the Australian Government will establish a Child and Adult Public Dental Scheme in partnership with states and territories. The new scheme will assist the states and territories in providing access to dental care to patients with the greatest oral health needs in our communities.

The Commonwealth will be introducing legislation to establish an ongoing capped special appropriation to fund agreements with the states and territories to assist with public dental services provided to children and adults with concession cards.

It envisages that the initial agreement will be for five years. Approximately $415 million will be available in 2016-17, and an estimated total of $2.1 billion over the life of the agreement.

Under the agreement, the Commonwealth will make funding available on an activity basis, paying a proportion of the efficient cost of every service delivered by the states and territories.

States and territories will continue to be responsible for managing and delivering services as they are now. Legislation establishing the new arrangements will also close the Child Dental Benefits Schedule from 1 July 2016.

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