15 April 2026
A new Consumers Health Forum report has found that out‑of‑pocket dental costs are placing significant financial strain on health consumers, driving delayed care and reinforcing inequities in access.
Australians want dental care to be affordable, timely and part of everyday healthcare. In this AHP survey on access to public dentist services, 910 consumers describe a system where cost exposure and public capacity determine whether and when care happens.
The care itself is strongly valued once people are able to be seen. The findings point to practical levers: reduce out‑of‑pocket exposure; buy down wait times; fund prevention at scale; and bring services closer to where people live and receive primary care.
Dental care plays a vital role in overall health, yet for many people it remains too expensive, too hard to access, or both. This report adds to the growing consumer voice calling for dental care to be treated as an essential part of our health system, not a luxury.
