Greens’ spokesperson for health, Richard Di Natale, has urged the government to stop targeting innocent dentists who have provided important services through the Chronic Disease Dental Scheme.

Senator Di Natale said that the reports of rorting are being beaten up and innocent dentists are being tarred with the same brush.

“It’s clear that a small number of dentists have behaved unethically and deserve to be penalised for their actions.”

Greens’ spokesperson for health, Senator Richard Di Natale, said that new research backs up the Greens policy on dental care.

The new research from the Ipsos Social Research Institute claims that almost 2 million people who needed to get dental care in the past two years were unable to do so because they couldn’t afford it.

“This latest research highlights the need for the Greens policy of publicly funded ‘Denticare’ in Australia,” said Senator Di Natale.

This op-ed piece by Richard first appeared on The Drum on 4 October 2011

Imagine waking up to find your big toe is red and inflamed. You walk to the bathroom and your toe throbs with each step. You sit down and it still hurts. You can't escape the pain.

Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, and Greens Health Spokesperson, Senator for Victoria, Richard Di Natale, today announced the establishment of the National Advisory Council on Dental Health as part of the agreement between the Gillard Government and the Australian Greens.

Headed by former senior public servant Ms Mary Murnane, the council will provide expert advice on dental health issues.

Ms Roxon said the council will look at the current mix and coverage of dental services in order to provide advice on future needs and priorities for future reform.

The Australian Greens say the first steps have been taken towards a national dental care scheme, with the Government making an initial commitment in tonight’s budget.

“This $53 million down payment on national dental care is a promising start to what will be a significant change to Australia’s health care system,” Australian Greens health spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert said tonight.

“This $53 million investment will benefit low income earners in the public health system.

Senator Bob Brown held a press conference where he discussed the government's 2011-12 federal budget.

Public mental health and private mineral wealth are the big winners out of this year's budget, Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.

"The Greens are celebrating the $1.5 billion boost to mental health funding, although we are shocked to discover that almost $0.5 billion is outside the forward estimates. There is a bias in the overall budget to the influential mining barons who are unelected and send massive profits overseas. While the mining corporations gain, programs for Australians, including the environment have been cut by billions," Senator Brown said.

The Australian Greens continue to push for action on dental care to be included in Tuesday's budget.

"We need to see some action from the Government as a down-payment on their committment to improve Australia's dental health," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens health spokesperson said today.

"This was a key part of our post-election agreement with the ALP," said Senator Siewert.

"Improved national dental care has the capacity to dramatically improve the health of millions of Australians, and we've been working hard towards that outcome.

Australian Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown held a press conference to discuss Treasury costings for a proposed savings measure showing almost $1 billion in revenue could be restored over the forward estimates if the Australian Greens' proposal to reduce the fringe benefits tax concessions for company cars is adopted in next month's budget.