A COOMA pensioner intends to have her teeth removed because dental care will become too expensive once the Medicare Dental Plan (MDP) is scrapped at the end of the month.
The Rudd Government is scrapping the MDP, which offers a rebate to those who require dental work as a result of a chronic medical condition, in favour of a $290 million Commonwealth Dental Assistance Plan (CDAP) targeted at shortening the public dental waiting list.
The decision comes as a great blow to Cooma diabetic Irene Ramm, whose condition requires her to have her infection-prone gums checked at least three times a year.
Although Mrs Ramm only receives about $80 back from the $300 cost of treatment, the full amount was too much for a pensioner, she said.
"I'm a pensioner so without this service I wouldn't be able to afford the full cost of treatment," she said.
"Although I have good teeth - I paid a fortune to have them all capped - I would have to have my teeth out as my gums always get infected and I wouldn't be able to live with the pain."
The MDP was being scrapped because it was unpopular, attracting only 15,000 people to the scheme, whereas the new CDAP was expected to assist 650,000 people, according to the government.
But too much red tape might be to blame for the plan's failure, according to local doctors.
"The scheme hasn't been a great success as it involves putting together a team care plan, which is a document most doctors have to fill out, but don't have the time to do in the country," said Dr Andrew Egan of the Bombala Street Surgery.
Dawson Street Dentist Tony Slater said taking care of people with chronic medical issues and addressing the public dental waiting list were two separate issues, and both should be dealt with.
"I don't think one should replace other, they are two separate issues and hopefully the new Commonwealth plan will encompass people with a chronic medical condition," said Dr Slater.