Former Deputy Chief Medical Officer Pans Greens Party Push for Universal Dental Care

Universal dental care in Australia would cost nearly $12 billion a year, depending on the model used.

A dentist works on a patient in Nashville, Tenn during a clinic visit on Sept. 7, 2023. The Canadian Press/AP-George Walker IV

Former deputy chief medical officer, Dr. Nick Coatsworth, has pushed back on a Greens proposal to absorb dental care into Medicare so all Australians can go to the dentist for free.

Australia’s universal healthcare system Medicare provides free or subsidised doctor visits and emergency care, but generally doesn’t cover trips to the dentist.