No dental care: Anja Filek is worried about the government's decision to axe dental care benefits for people with a chronic illness. Picture: Lucy Di Paolo
ANJA Filek thought she had received a lifeline when she discovered the Medicare Chronic Disease Dental Scheme three years ago.
The 31 year old of Wantirna South has suffered from anorexia for 17 years, which triggered her diagnosis of osteoporosis.
Ms Filek said her teeth were "very weak" and "basically crumble", which means she visits her dentist every three to four months.
Under the Medicare scheme, Ms Filek could claim back up to $4250 in dental benefits over two years because of her chronic health condition. The benefit meant that Ms Filek, surviving on a disability pension of $755 a fortnight, could attend regular dentist appointments and stay as healthy as possible.
But the scheme is set to be axed by the federal government on November 30 with no support network in place for people with chronic diseases until at least 2014.
There has been a public backlash over the decision, with a petition opposing the government's decision attracting almost 15,000 signatures.
Ms Filek said she panicked when she heard the scheme would be discontinued and described it as a "nightmare".
Her disability pension does not stretch to cover visits to a private dentist, and there is a two-year waiting list for public dentists.
"And now everyone who was covered by this scheme is going to go to the public dentist, so the wait is going to be even longer."
Ms Filek has written to every federal MP to express her concern — including Aston MP Alan Tudge who will speak against the cuts in Parliament — and started a Facebook support page.
Diabetes Australia is one of the peak bodies speaking out against the cuts and sent an email to 14,000 members last week. Diabetes Victoria chief executive Greg Johnson said the organisation had received 5000 responses to the closure within 48 hours of sending the email.
Despite diabetes not being commonly associated with dental problems, Professor Johnson said it was a common side-effect and dental care was an "important investment in prevention".
Although the new dental scheme is focused on improved dental care for children, Professor Johnson said there appeared to be diminished access for people with a chronic disease.
A spokesman for acting Health Minister Mark Butler said the government wanted to reassure pensioners, concession card holders and those with special needs they would be eligible for treatment under the government's additional investment in dental care.
The dental scheme is being debated in Parliament this week.
To visit Anja Filek's Facebook support page, go to facebook.com/chronicdiseaseqldentalscheme.