18. Oral health
The DRS believes that:
18.1 Oral health is an important aspect of general health.
18.2 Equitable access to oral health care is the responsibility of all levels of government.
18.3 Oral health should therefore be promoted and publicly funded as part of the general health system.
18.4 Like other forms of health care, oral health care providers should preferably be salaried and not be paid under fee for service arrangements.
18.5 Medicare rebate funding of oral health could initially be necessary to incorporate it into the general health system.
18.6 Oral health promotion should be a key part of oral health policy.
18.7 Water fluoridation is an important public health measure.
See also our “sugar tax” policy (6.5.10).