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The inaugural National Oral Health Sector Forum was hosted by ADIA at ADX Melbourne
Fostering strong relationships and open communication amongst the entire oral health sector is key to our success. ADIA hosted the inaugural National Oral Health Sector Forum at ADX Melbourne on Thursday 3 October 2024. Representatives from all national professional oral health associations were invited to attend this facilitated forum to discuss opportunities to work together. At this event, we brought together Executive and Board member representatives from ADIA, ADA Federal, the Dental Hygienists Association of Australia, the Australian Oral and Dental Health Therapists’ Association, the Dental Prosthetists Association, the Dental Assistants’ Professional Association and the Australian Network for the Integration of Oral Health. Apologies from other peak organisation representatives were received and we hope to collaborate with them in the future. All attendees rated the forum highly and are keen to continue to meet regularly.

Major win on payroll tax amnesty for dentists in Queensland
Following ADIA’s advocacy with the Queensland Treasurer, Hon. Cameron Dick and Shadow Treasurer David Janetzki, the Government has officially advised ADIA of the amnesty for dentists until July 2025. This provides Queensland dentists the same assurance as medical GP’s that back-dated payroll taxes will not be applied and provides time to implement new business structures and processes moving forward to comply with Treasury requirements. ADIA CEO, Kym De Britt joined DSO members in this campaign and all were extremely pleased with this successful outcome. With both South Australia and Queensland now offering the amnesty, a precedent has been set for other jurisdictions.

Senator Helen Polley (Tasmania) visits ADX Melbourne
ADIA Immediate Past President, Tanya McRae-Klein and CEO Kym De Britt hosted Senator Helen Polley and provided her with a tour of the exhibition (photograph above). Following Senator Polley’s stand with fellow Labor backbenchers – Dr Mike Freelander, Mr Brian Mitchell and Mr Graham Perrett for the Albanese Government to include dentistry in Medicare, her interest in oral health reform in Australia was evident. Senator Polley was particularly interested in innovative models of oral healthcare that can improve access to services for rural and remote settings and the aged care sector. Building strong relationships with key parliamentary stakeholders is part of ADIA’s strategic advocacy initiative for improvements in oral health for all Australians.

The Australian Dental Industry Association congratulates the Queensland Government on responding to the ADIA's advocacy on retrospective payroll taxes.

• This story was covered by the Courier Mail. View article >

Without an amnesty, many Queensland dental practices were at risk of closing or significant cost increases. Today's announcement will provide some certainty for dental clinics across Queensland.

We've argued long and hard that dentists should have the same amnesty as GPs, given the Government 2023 ruling applies equally to dentists. Dental visits are a key out-of-pocket cost for Queenslanders, and there's no good reason for dentists to be taxed differently.

In a cost of living crisis, patients are having to delay dental treatment due to cost. Making dental care affordable can help take pressure of Queensland emergency departments. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has identified that dental presentations make up almost 19,000 preventable emergency department presentations in Queensland each year. 

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dental-oral-health/oral-health-and-dental-care-in-australia/contents/hospitalisations/potentially-preventable-hospitalisations

Queenslanders looking for dental treatment are still facing price rises from the retrospective application of payroll tax to dental services.

Saddled with huge, backdated liabilities after the state revenue office announced the tax change last year, dentists warn their only options are to pass on price hikes to their patients or close altogether.

With the Queensland election under way, the Australian Dental Industry Association is calling on politicians to act now, and give Queenslanders relief from price rises.

Chief Executive Officer, Kym De Britt has highlighted the unfairness of the current situation.

“There’s a new ruling that has never been tested and an amnesty for GPs, but dentists get left with paying the new tax back-dated to 2018” Mr De Britt said. “Why dentists face this tax when GPs don’t is inexplicable. No one has given us a reason.”

Mr De Britt said “Without protection from backdated taxes, the cost of dentistry will force many Queenslanders to make heartbreaking choices during a cost-of-living crisis that was hitting hardest in Australia’s remote and regional communities.”

The ADIA has written to both the Queensland Government and Queensland Opposition asking them to grant dentists a tax amnesty, similar to one already granted to general practitioners, to avert a regional crisis that would push more patients into the already stretched public health system.

“Time is running out for Queensland dental clinics. Without immediate action, the risk of these taxes will force clinics to the wall” Mr De Britt said.