Free Dental Treatment Vouchers for Teens
FREE dental treatment for teenagers is enough to make any bargain hunting parent smile and the good news is thousands of Townsville kids are eligible.
Under a Federal Government plan to improve teenage dental health, about 1.1 million Australian teens received free dental vouchers worth $153.45 to cover preventative treatments.
The vouchers, which have to be redeemed by December 31, are available for teenagers aged between 12 and 17 and are receiving a Youth Allowance or Abstudy.
Teens are also eligible if their parents are receiving the Family Tax Benefit A, Carers Payment, Disability Support Pension, Parenting Payment, Special Benefit or Double Orphan Pension.
1300SMILES dental therapist Karen Ward said the vouchers were brought in to replace the school-based dental van service. She said the vouchers came at no cost for users, with most private practices bulk billing under an arrangement with Medicare.
"These vouchers are invaluable for a family on a tight budget because people tend to sacrifice on health issues when it comes to financial restrictions," Ms Ward said.
"Everyone deserves the right to receive the necessary oral health care.
"There was cause for concern when the free dental van service stopped servicing high school students, but the vouchers are a great alternative."
Eligible teenagers receive one voucher at the start of each calendar year.
Anybody who has misplaced or didn't receive their voucher can organise a replacement by calling Medicare on 132 011.
1300SMILES
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