The Carroll Labor Government is saving families time and money with free dental care for kids.
Minister Stitt today visited Resurrection Primary School to announce that the expansion of Victoria’s Smile Squad free dental program is now underway.
Students at low-fee non-government schools now have access to the service.
An initial 54 schools across metro and regional Victoria have been invited to participate in the program.
A phased roll out to all low-fee non-government schools will follow.
Smile Squad is putting money back into the pockets of families and easing cost of living pressures.
Regular dental checkups can cost parents up to $400 a year per child. But with Labor’s Smile Squad, it is free.
Delivered by dedicated mobile teams of oral care clinicians, students receive free check-ups and follow-up care.
It includes X-rays, teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, fillings and root canals.
The at-school service also means busy families don’t need to worry about missing work or school for a dental appointment.
Since 2019, Smile Squad has visited more than 1,000 public schools, seen more than 175,000 students and delivered more than one million oral health packs.
Only Labor will deliver free dental for Victorian kids and make getting access to public healthcare easier and fairer.
With a $40 billion cuts plan, Jess Wilson’s One Nation Liberal Coalition will slash this critical service.
They’ll cut the free services Victorians rely on and make life harder and more expensive for families.
For more information about Smile Squad, visit health.vic.gov.au/smile-squad
As stated by Minister for Health Ingrid Stitt
“Only Labor is making it easier and cheaper for Victorian kids and their families to access free dental care.”
“Access to healthcare shouldn’t have anything to do with your bank balance or where you live.”
Quote attributable Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Gabrielle Williams
“We’re making sure more students have access to free dental care – supporting more Victorian families with the cost of living.”
As stated by Member for Kororoit Luba Grigorovitch
“Every child deserves to be able to get the dental care they need – this expansion will save parents time and money.”
