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The cost of going to the dentist had become so out of reach for an employee of a breeding station in the Northern Territory that he went to Cambodia to undergo it. 30 years of treatment delayed in three days.
Two million Australians avoid or delay the dentist's appointment every year because they can not afford to pay for it, says a new report from the Grattan Institute.
This pleads for the gradual establishment of a universal dental plan at no additional cost.
The report says that such a system should focus on early intervention controls and procedures, and estimates that it could cost the federal government $ 5.6 billion a year.
"When Australians need to see a GP, Medicare pays for all or most of the bill. When they need to see a dentist, Australians are alone, "says the report.
"There is no compelling medical, economic or legal reason to treat the mouth as differently as the rest of the body."
Robert Roehlen, 56, said that such a ploy would be a boon. He considers himself lucky to have been able to afford the trip to Southeast Asia to solve several teeth problems.
"Several crowns on plates. Many, many teeth pulled. $ 1800. Never looked back, a brilliant job, "he said.
His last visit to the dentist was eight years ago. He had to be removed urgently because of an abscess. Roehlen still suffers from "low-level intermittent pain" but plans to treat it once it becomes "unbearable".
"What I really noticed is that so many men, especially my generation and background, have terrible teeth, many of which have almost none and all the social problems, as well as the food and stigma issues that go with it, "he said.
Roehlen is a boring runner at a resort near Kalkarindji township [Wave Hill]One of his colleagues has an even worse oral health.
"He has almost no more teeth. Nobody can understand him because his mouth is distorted and he eats very hard, "Roehlen said.
"Go to a blue collar pub and have a look at the boys and the older girls and it's painfully obvious that something is wrong. This might be expected in third world countries, but this should not be the case here, right?
The institute's report indicates that low-income adults have fewer teeth on average than high-income earners.
"On average, there are 8.6 missing teeth for people with household incomes of less than $ 30,000 a year, while there are 3.2 missing for those with household incomes of more than 140,000. $. "
Existing public dental plans were inadequate, uncoordinated and inequitable among states, the report said.
Poor oral health can be a risk factor for heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Narelle Everard, who has worked for the Royal District Nursing Service Homeless Program for ten years, has seen the impact of dental inequality on the most vulnerable in Victoria.
During a visit to the Yarra Ranges, north of Melbourne, a homeless man she knew pulled a tooth with forceps because he could not afford to see a dentist.
"It was desperation," said Everard.
She said homeless programs had to provide soft foods because people could not bite into hard objects like apples.
The waiting list to consult a public dentist in Victoria was 20 months; In Tasmania, it could take up to three years, she said.
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