Recent calls for increased Commonwealth funding for dental services have been made in the midst of reports of long waiting lists and emerging evidence that poorer dental health is associated with lower socio-economic status. Although the National Oral Health Plan calls for action on dental health from all levels of government, the issue of responsibility for funding remains contentious. In particular, the role of the Commonwealth government in dental health provision has been the subject of considerable debate. This paper outlines the Commonwealth government’s role in funding dental health services in the past and prospects for future involvement in light of recent policy announcements
