Free dental care for all estimated at $648m a year

AUCKLAND: While Labour and National have both pledged millions to boost childhood dental care, both have been less vocal on the idea of extending free dental care to adults.

The cost of funding free dental care to all adults was last night put at $648 million a year.

Newshub reported that in December 2018 the Ministry of Health estimated the cost of extending free dental care to adults.

The report tallied up the costs:

$96 million to cover everyone up to their 27th birthday;

$5.5 million for a oneoff dental checkup for everyone turning 65;

$30 million for lowincome parents and caregivers;

$17 million to cover lowincome pregnant women.

The report was not acted upon by then minister of health David Clark, Newshub reported.

In the report, the ministry also suggested that after the first phase of funding, the cover could gradually increase past the age of 27 — at the cost of about $12 million per year of age it was extended.

All up, with the average New Zealander now living to around the age of 80, it would cost an extra $648 million a year to cover the dental fees of all adults.

Earlier this month, Health Minister Chris Hipkins said Labour was unlikely to offer free dental care to adults if it formed the next government.

‘‘We’ve got to be frank here,’’ he told Newshub.

‘‘In the current economic climate, free dental care for everybody would come at a very, very significant price tag, and I don’t think in the current economic environment that’s a debate we’re in a position to have.’’

The Labour Party yesterday promised to increase emergency grants for dental care for people on low incomes if elected.

Among the pledges made in the party’s health policy, the emergency grant boost would cost $176 million over four years to increase the emergency grant for oral care from $300 to $1000.

A further $37.5 million over four years would go towards 20 additional mobile dental clinics to make free dental care for under 18s more accessible.

The National Party has pledged $30 million a year for childhood oral health, including paediatric and school dental services.

Under its policy, all children would be provided with an annual dental health pack containing information material, a toothbrush and toothpaste for daily tooth brushing, education, and free fluoride varnish. — The New Zealand Herald