The crux of the oral healthcare argument In Australia is whether the free market economy can properly service all Australians. The exclusion of dental from Medicare ostracises oral care from the socialised medicine model. The market, then, has to cater for demographics like those with a disability and their special needs. So when it comes to disability and getting dental care, what are the most obvious challenges? The current status quo severely limits access to dental services for those with a variety of disabilities. Most dental clinics are not set up to properly provide for individuals with conditions like autism, brain injury and dementia without incapacitating them via drugs.

The Ongoing Challenges Of Disabled Australians

For too long in Australia we have been content to make anyone a bit different suffer through lack of access to cities and their facilities. ‘She’ll be right mate!’ This easy going refrain actually disguised an indifference to the troubles and travails experienced by those living with a disability. Slowly things are changing on this score. The rights of those with a disability are enshrined in a United Nation’s convention.

“The purpose of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.“
– HumanRights.gov.au

Dental Care For Aussies Living With A Disability

Dental care is top notch for those Aussies who can afford it either through having private health insurance, and or being wealthy enough. The free market driven dental business downunder serves those who can pay for it, first and foremost. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) does not cover dental care.

“The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a pivotal framework in Australia, that provides support to individuals with disabilities. However, when it comes to dental care, the NDIS’s stance is specific and targeted. Dental care, a crucial aspect of overall health, is not generally covered under the NDIS. This policy is rooted in the scheme’s focus on disability-related needs, where dental services are typically managed by other government health services.”
– NDMHS.com.au

Good luck with that! The facts pertaining to what happens with many of these human beings, here in wealthy Australia, is an absolute disgrace. Whilst many dentists are busy making their fortunate livings by doing good dental work for their paying customers the reality for those not so fortunate is another story altogether.

“Mathew Lim, a special needs dentistry consultant, lecturer and researcher at the University of Melbourne’s dental school.
Dr Lim treats patients with disabilities in his work in the private and public system, including at several Melbourne hospitals.

“We see people who the system seems to be failing,” Dr Lim says.

“They struggle to get the care they need, they’re completely lost and often come into a crisis situation.”

“For some … if you look back through their records, they’ve been waiting up to 10 years to be able to have that treatment,” he says.

The barriers are particularly high for people with intellectual disabilities or complex needs who require specialist care.

“They go to see a dentist in the community first, then need to be referred to a specialist and often after they’ve waited on that extended waitlist … they need to wait on another,” Dr Lim says. “
– ABC.net.au

Dentists & The Private Dental Business Model

It is not the intention of this article to sully the good name of the dental profession, as many dentists work hard for the generous rewards they incur for their high quality oral care. Rather, it is to draw attention to a system which is driven by a private healthcare business model primarily concerned with profitability. Too many Aussies have fallen through the wide cracks in this service sector business and many of them have been people living with a disability. Free market economies only succeed in catering for specialist groups in markets with large populations. Otherwise, there is never the money in it for those who modify their facilities for particular special interest groups like those with disabilities. Thus, for most of our modern history these folk have not been adequately cared for in so many areas of their lives. This is the simple truth of the matter.

Dentists Dealing With Patients Who Have a Disability

Disability and dental care: what are the most compelling challenges? Parents with kids who are autistic or have intellectual disabilities can tell you that going to the dentist is often up there with the worst days of their lives. Most of us know that deep down we deeply dislike going to the dentist ourselves, as ‘so-called’ normal adults. Try and visualise what this inherent and intuitive dislike of being orally prodded and drilled is like for neurologically divergent human beings. Yes, pain management for dental procedures is light years better than it was a decade or two ago but going down the chemical restraint route is not a step in the right direction.

“A specialised dental service is helping to fill a big cavity in an industry that has been largely inaccessible for people with disability. The Extra Mile dental clinic, in Adelaide’s western suburbs, is an inclusive and autism-friendly environment, with a full suite of dental services offered with the option of general anaesthetic. In-home visits are also part of the service, with a portable dental kit fully funded by the state government.

Former Young South Australian of the Year Dr Trudy Lin, who has dedicated her career to patients with disabilities, is the driving force behind the initiative.”
– ABC.net.au

There are extra good dental professionals making an effort to cater for those sporting a difference. Diversity may be on the nose in Donald Trump’s America but thankfully Australians are better people. We, as a nation, continue to move in the direction of expanding our care for those who do not walk or talk in the same manner as the dominant cohort within our population. The free market may not be able to adequately deal with housing all of us, as we are in the midst of a housing crisis for those who rent and fall into the working poor category. Governments are having to remember their responsibilities to provide social housing after a lengthy neoliberal hiatus. Our mixed economy, which features planned and free market features, is all about filling the gaps where needed. Hopefully, the dental healthcare sector can meet the long neglected needs of those living with a disability, perhaps, with a combined private and public health effort in the right direction?

DISCLAIMER:

The content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. Plaza Dental does not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the content.

The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional personal diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a dental or medical condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read or seen on the Site.

 

Services we mentioned: