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Association is calling on the federal government to fund basic care for seniors, ahead of next week's federal budget.
They say thousands of Australians over 65 are being hospitalised for preventable dental issues, unable to afford treatment costs.
At 76 years of age, John has just two teeth left, and needs a dental plate to help him chew.
He recently misplaced it while having a meal at his local club.
“It's going to cost me to have those replaced, if I do. Whether I just continue on eating soups and soft foods ... funds are a little bit low at the moment.”
He's one of many older Australians putting off dental care due to the cost, and the Australian Dental Association says the problem is getting worse.
They say that in 2016-17, around 10,500 Australians over the age of 65 were hospitalised for potentially preventable dental issues.
By 2022-23, that number had climbed to almost 16,000.
Hospitalisations are projected to increase again in coming years.
Dr Angie Nilsson is with the Australian Dental Association.
She says dental issues impact more than just teeth.
“There's lots of emerging evidence now that's showing there's a bidirectional link between oral health and general health. So diabetes can be impacted, for example. It does have impacts on cardiac problems as well. We need to stop separating oral health from general health.”
The dental association is calling on the government to fund a Seniors Dental Benefits Scheme.
It would provide free dental treatment every two years for concession card holders, up to a cap of $1,132.
The policy proposal would also include an oral health aspect to GP checkups for people over 75.
Greens leader Adam Bandt is campaigning for greater access to dental care too.
"People are putting off going to the dentist because they simply can't afford it. Now, when the Greens were in the minority Parliament in 2010, we got dental into Medicare for kids. With these growing calls to get dental support for seniors, we need to get dental into Medicare for everyone."
A Seniors Dental Benefits Scheme is not a new concept.
In 2021, the Royal Commission into Aged Care, Quality and Safety recommended such a scheme be established.
A separate Senate report made similar recommendations in 2023.
Dr Nilsson says it's becoming more urgent as Australia's population ages.
“I don't know why it's not happening. The public are asking for it ... we're all getting older, we're all going to be older people, hopefully ... I don't know.”
The Parliamentary Budget Office estimates the Senior Dental Benefits Scheme would cost $1.14 billion in 2025-26 and $1.26 billion the following year.
