Bill for subsidised dental treatment passes parliament

The Dental Benefits Bill 2008 and the Dental Benefits (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008 on Wednesday both passed the Senate, but the former was amended so must return to the House of Representatives.

The bills aim to establish a commonwealth dental health program which will provide $290 million over three years to the states for extra dental programs for pensioners, indigenous people, pre-school children and people with chronic disease.

They also aim to establish a Medicare teen dental plan, which will provide up to $150 through a Medicare rebate for an annual preventative check for 1.1 million eligible 12-17 year olds.

The opposition inserted an amendment to require an independent review of the legislation to be undertaken as soon as possible after the first anniversary of its commencement.

The amendment also requires the legislation to be reviewed as soon as practicable after the third anniversary of its commencement and at three-yearly intervals thereafter.