Senate supports ADA in calls for Medicare Australia to stop hounding dentists

The Australian Dental Association Inc. (ADA) applauds the move by the Senate yesterday calling on the Australian Government to come clean about the unrelenting witch-hunt against dentists.

"For two opposing political parties to set aside their differences and come together on this issue shows the level of faith that both parties have in dentists and their belief that dentists are being unfairly treated by Medicare Australia," said ADA President, Dr Shane Fryer.

"We have repeatedly stated that it is grossly unfair for the Government to demand full repayment of the costs of much-needed dental care from dentists when they have genuinely provided services to needy patients.

Yet Medicare has persisted in issuing this extreme penalty rather than a more suitable punishment, such as a small fine, more in keeping with a minor indiscretion like failing to complete some or all of the administrative components of the scheme".

Senators Fierravanti-Wells and Di Natale have called on the Government to provide a full report of the actions taken against the 41 dentists that so far have been found to be non-compliant with the scheme, the options considered by Medicare and the reasons for the course of action decided on. The Government has been asked to report back to the Senate by the 7th February 2012.