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GROUNDBREAKING SENIORS DENTAL PILOT PAVES WAY FOR NATIONWIDE ROLLOUT & BLUEPRINT FOR A NATIONAL DENTAL SCHEME FOR SENIORS

The Australian Dental Association

UNDER EMBARGO

28.04.25

GROUNDBREAKING SENIORS DENTAL PILOT PAVES WAY FOR

NATIONWIDE ROLLOUT &

BLUEPRINT FOR A NATIONAL DENTAL SCHEME FOR SENIORS

Links to 4 Video News Releases* featuring four case studies from pilot study at end of this media release.

 

A FIRST OF A KIND DENTAL PILOT PROJECT which has seen improvements in participants’ oral health could be the blueprint for other pilots – and a government seniors' dental scheme.

The Maroubra Seniors Dental Benefits Schedule Pilot tackled the oral health of 70 Eastern Sydney seniors with a chronic disease and socioeconomic disadvantage, from November 2024 to March 2025. Under the pilot, dentists provided dental treatment, hand-in-hand with bespoke advice and information designed to improve oral health and reduce the risk from dental disease on the rest of the body.

Academics from the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Medicine and Health then evaluated the effects of the dental treatment of the participants’ dental and overall health, with results released today (27 April). They found improvements in oral health outcomes, particularly in the management of tooth decay, gum disease, and provision of prosthodontic care.

“Participants also commented on the dental health education they received to help them clean and floss more, and see their dentist more often. These improved oral habits will have a beneficial knock-on effect on their chronic health condition,” said ADA President Dr Chris Sanzaro.

“The results of the four-month pilot show that this scheme is a valuable blueprint for similar pilots to be rolled out around the country and inform the construction of a Seniors Dental Benefits Schedule (SDBS) down the track.”

The program’s holistic approach supported both treatment and behaviour change, potentially reducing further tooth loss and improving oral health.

Patients reported better-fitting dentures, improved confidence and a greater understanding of oral hygiene practices, while all untreated tooth decay, a major problem in this cohort, was successfully managed and prevented from progressing to more severe disease. Prosthodontic and restorative services delivered involved multiple appointments and procedures, reflecting seniors’ complex oral rehabilitation needs.

Further, patients previously hesitant to go to the dentist due to cost, waiting times, transport or language barriers reported positive (oral) outcomes while improved access encouraged earlier intervention and treatment completion that would’ve otherwise been delayed or missed.

“If future pilots generate similar results, the government should see this as the clear proof it needs to introduce a dental scheme for seniors,” said Dr Sanzaro. “The pilot also demonstrates that with regular oral health maintenance people wouldn’t have to be suffering in pain with unmet oral needs, heading to emergency departments for urgent care. The SDBS would make this a reality for millions of older Australians.” 

University of Sydney Academic A/Prof Bradley Christian who led the evaluation added: “While this demonstration project supports the feasibility of similar dental pilot programs, it’s clear that scale-up and implementation will 

require more evidence from a broader cohort of participants across metro, rural and regional populations to assess variation in oral health needs, service delivery capacity, population reach and economic impacts.

“These considerations would be essential for informing the design and implementation of a potential broader Senior Dental Benefits Schedule.”

The ADA has been urging successive Federal Governments to fund a seniors dental scheme, calculated by the Parliamentary Budget Office to cost $1.143bn a year in 2025-26 for 2.8m eligible seniors, rising to $1.263 billion in 2026-27.  

“To provide dental services to every Australian would cost between $5bn and $12bn a year and no government has ever been able to take this on. So the SDBS is a necessary and affordable option and a rollout of similar pilots to this one is a positive step in the right direction to achieving this,” said Dr Sanzaro. 

Lisa Conway, Director of Primary Dental where the dental treatments were done, added: “The Maroubra Seniors Dental Benefit Schedule demonstration program was developed in recognition of the potential to improve oral health in Australia. A unique collaboration between industry organisations and dental service providers, the program has highlighted an ability to effectively implement innovative models of care that can positively impact the lives of older Australians.”  

The pilot was a joint partnership between Primary Dental (a part of the ForHealth Group), Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network, the Australian Dental Association, Race Dental and the University of Sydney.

Participants’ comments:

“I know how to manage my dental health better now and it has improved my diabetes.”

“Public dental waiting lists are too long and I haven’t seen a dentist for 5 years due to cost, and it was painful to eat and drink. Since I was on the pilot project have my new denture and I can eat a lot more food and drink than before.”

“Seniors can’t afford dental care it’s out of our reach.”

“The government should roll this pilot out to all seniors with a healthcare card.”

“All seniors should be able to have good oral health and the government should offer it to anyone on a pension.”

 

Links to 4 Video News Releases* featuring four case studies from the pilot are below. 

To interview ADA President Dr Chris Sanzaro or any of the four case studies, contact ADA Media Advisor Jenny Barlass

0497 748 331. 

*All VNRs are around 4 minutes in length and suitable for use in TV news and contain:

• Individual case study comments and B roll,
• general dental B roll,
• comment from ADA President Dr Chris Sanzaro,
• comment from one of the pilot dentists, Dr Chris Taylor.
• Links to interviews with case studies here:
• Hightail - Receive 
• Hightail - Receive 
• Hightail - Receive 
• Hightail - Receive 

Contact details:

ADA Media Advisor Jenny Barlass

0497 748 331.