DENTAL payment plans are becoming increasingly popular in Bendigo as people struggle to afford the up-front costs of procedures.
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Accessing emergency dental care without a payment plan wasn’t an option for Kennington resident Amanda Franks and her partner Brenton Hinton.
“We couldn’t afford to fork out $400 on-the-spot,” Amanda said.
Brenton endured acute pain for several days while the couple investigated their options for a clinic able to assist.
“It turned out to be quite a big procedure because his wisdom tooth had fused to his sinus bone,” Amanda said.
The initial procedure involved separating the tooth from the bone.
Amanda said Brenton would need further work done, though she did not anticipate there would be any additional surgeries.
With a family of five children, and only one income, Amanda said regular dental care was something she and her partner had not been able to prioritise for themselves.
“It’s something we just never do because we know we can’t afford it, which is unfortunate because it’s so important,” she said.
The children have regular checkups and cleans.
Dr Ken Teoh, of Epsom Dental, said payment plans were a ‘win-win’ for both clinics and patients.
“A lot of our patients, they just can’t afford treatment up-front,” he said.
The clinic uses the services of DentiCare, a company that provides no-interest payment plans for dental procedures.
McCrae, Marong and Strathfieldsaye Dental Practices uses the same company.
Dental program manager Trish Aumann said many of the patients at each practice were on payment plans.
But she said the plans weren’t for everyone. Patients need to be over the age of 18, gainfully employed, and free from bankruptcy to be eligible to take out a plan.
Though payment plans had made private dental procedures more accessible for people ineligible for public services, Ms Aumann said there was still a gap.
Pollie predicts dental pains
Nearly 700 public dental patients in the Bendigo area could miss out on treatment because of federal funding cuts, Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards claims.
She said funding for public dental services for adults would be reduced by 30 per cent as a result of a national partnership agreement.
Cuts in the Bendigo area would amount to $279,440, according to Ms Edwards.
“We welcome Victoria signing the agreement for funding – which was set out prior to the election and over 18 months ago,” a spokesperson for federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said.
“In February last year the Commonwealth announced a more than $150 million increase for the Child Dental Benefit Scheme – a 43 per cent increase which will benefit Victorians,” he said.
The National Partnership Agreement on Public Dental Services for Adults will provide states and territories with more than $242 million between January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2019.
More than 330,000 people access the public dental system in Victoria annually.