Funding for pensioners' emergency dental scheme

26/9/93

$1.68 million of this year's State Health budget will be used to introduce the proposed Emergency Dental Scheme for pensioners and certain social security beneficiaries in Western Australia.

Health Minister Peter Foss said the national Emergency Dental Scheme to be introduced on January 1, 1994 would help low income earners access dental services by providing specific services to cope with a range of dental emergencies.

"The funds will be used to buy dental services on behalf of those eligible within the parameters of the Federal program," he said.

"Services will include urgent fillings, extractions and treatment of painful dental abscesses.

"The fees and funding caps that will apply to the scheme are still to be finalised with the Commonwealth, but it will allow an increased number of low income earners and pensioners receive emergency and routine dental treatment from both the Government and private sectors."

Media contact:  Jeanne Klener 325 8655 or 222 9595