Committee approves government dental plan

NATIONAL: A parliamentary inquiry has given the nod to the federal government’s proposed $4 billion dental care plan.

The government’s six-year program aimed at kids and disadvantaged adults is awaiting Senate approval after legislation passed the lower house.

Under the plan, a family with an annual income of up to $112,000 will get basic care for kids aged two to 17, including check-ups, cleaning, scaling, fluoride treatment and fillings.

A million low-income adults with concession cards, including pensioners, will also get better access to public dental care.

The Community Affairs committee held an inquiry and tabled its report in the Senate on Monday.

It recommended parliament pass the dental plan.

Its report said the scheme was “targeted appropriately at children” and the committee supported means testing the dental benefits.

AAP