Fed govt's annual dental check up plan will target teens

Warning that the nation ranked second worse in the developed world in adult dental health, the government will target teenagers, indigenous people and concession card holders with a $780 million program over five years.

"Tooth decay is Australia's most prevalent health problem, with gum disease ranking as the fifth highest," Health Minister Nicola Roxon said on Thursday.

"Over a quarter of the Australian adult population have untreated dental decay - untreated because they are not accessing the dental care they require.

"What is most troubling is that poor dental health is starting with our kids."

Roxon said half of all teenagers had some signs of gum disease, and the problem was worse among poorest and most needy Australians.

She said the commonwealth dental health program would 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.

The Medicare teen dental plan would provide up to $150 through a Medicare rebate for an annual preventative check for 1.1 million eligible 12-17 year olds.

"These programs will tackle the sorry state of dental health in Australia," Roxon said.

Debate on the Dental Benefits Bill 2008 and the Dental Benefits (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008 was adjourned.