James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

The government is committed to ensuring that children right across Australia have access to a dentist when they need it. Under the scheme, on average, only $312 of the rebate has been reclaimed per child each year. In light of this, the government had previously set the cap at $700 per child over a two-year period, which would still allow children to visit a dentist regularly. However, following consultation with the Australian Dental Association, the Minister for Health has decided to reinstate the cap at $1,000. We are also providing $11 million over two years to the Royal Flying Doctor Service to deliver dental outreach services to rural and remote communities. The government is delivering on its commitment to improve the dental health of all Australians though the Child Dental Benefits Schedule and contribute to better public dental services through a national partnership agreement with the states and territories.

Question agreed to.