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Australia’s political leaders are all smiles—just not when it comes to fixing yours. Once again, both major parties have ghosted the idea of adding dental to Medicare, leaving millions of Aussies to chew over one bitter reality: if it’s in your mouth, it’s not in the budget. Health experts are howling.

The Grattan Institute, the Australian Dental Association, and every dentist with a conscience have begged the government to stop treating oral health like a luxury item. But apparently, until a molar votes, it’s staying off the policy list. For young Australians in particular, the current system is a plaque-stained nightmare.

Dental bills are sky-high, waitlists at public clinics stretch longer than the Hume Highway, and bulk billing a cleaning is about as mythical as the Tooth Fairy herself. Why it matters? Because bad dental health isn't just cosmetic—it’s linked to everything from heart disease to mental health. And yet, if you crack a tooth, the best the system can offer is “maybe try Panadol and prayer.” Latest update?

Politicians are brushing off the issue, patients are grinding their teeth (literally), and private health insurers are cackling all the way to the bank. Sources: ABC News – “Experts call for dental reform as Medicare continues to exclude oral care” (25 Apr 2025)