Labor Will Deliver 20 New Dental Clinics
In August, Labor announced a plan for 10 free dental clinics across Victoria, open to anyone.
Victorians got behind it and they want us to deliver even more.
That’s why a re-elected Carroll Labor Government will now deliver 20 free dental clinics.
And to staff them, we'll boost the public dental workforce.
We’re also announcing the local council areas where every free dental clinic will go.
Today, the Premier and his team are setting off on the big red bus to visit all locations.
Why we need free dental
Medicare doesn't cover dental.
Right now, too many people are putting off treatment or facing big bills in the private system.
Meanwhile, in July, the average wait time for public dental services was 15 months.
No Victorian should ever have to wait that long because they can't afford to see a dentist.
And no one should have to raid their super to pay for it – like 30,000 Victorians do every year.
20 free dental clinics
Labor will deliver 10 additional free dental clinics across Victoria – bringing the total to 20.
14 clinics will be in Melbourne with six in regional Victoria, and they’ll open from July 2027.
It’s a $230 million investment that we can afford.
Just like Labor's Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, there'll be no appointment needed and no bill.
Victorians will be able to walk in for free check-ups, fillings, root canals and extractions.
They'll treat the most urgent cases first, including dental pain, swelling or accidental injuries.
And they'll be open from 9am to 9pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm on weekends.
Our six regional clinics will be in the Local Government Areas of:
• Ballarat
• Bendigo
• Geelong
• Latrobe
• Mildura
• Shepparton
Our 14 Melbourne clinics will be in the LGAs of:
• Banyule
• Brimbank
• Cardinia
• Casey
• Dandenong
• Frankston
• Hume
• Maribyrnong
• Melton
• Monash
• Whittlesea
• Wyndham
• Yarra
• Yarra Ranges
These areas have longer public dental wait times or currently lack public dental chairs.
When up and running, the 20 clinics will see more than 200,000 Victorians a year.
More dentists, more free dental care
More public clinics need more public dentists.
But it’s hard to attract dentists into public dental care, especially in regional Victoria.
That's why Labor will deliver sign-on bonuses to bring more dentists into the public system.
Dentists will receive $20,000 to join in metropolitan Melbourne, or $30,000 in regional Victoria.
It’s a $5 million investment and it’s on top of our existing workforce attraction package including relocation support and clinical scholarships.
More dentists mean more Victorians getting the care they need, without the bill.
Labor has already delivered free dental care for kids through Smile Squad.
Now we'll deliver free dental care for every Victorian.
Only Labor fights for working people
Labor opened 12 hospitals – now we’re expanding 12 EDs to slash wait times.
Labor made PT free for kids – now we’re making dental free for all.
It’s all at risk under a Liberal-One Nation Coalition Government.
They’ll cut $40 billion from frontline services, including health.
They’ll sack 31,700 frontline workers, including nurses and public dentists.
And they’ll Americanise our health care system.
Not only will you still be paying for dental care – you could even be paying for emergency care.
Quotes attributable to Premier Ben Carroll
“No Victorian should ever have to live in pain because they can't afford to see a dentist.”
“We’ll deliver 20 free dental clinics, open to anyone of any age.”
“I’m hitting the road with my team to visit every community getting a free dental clinic.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ingrid Stitt
“Dental clinics will go in 20 locations where public dental wait times are longer.”
“Labor will deliver 20 free dental clinics. Jess Wilson is promising $40 billion in cuts.”
