A PEAK indigenous health body wants fluoride added to the water supplies of Aboriginal communities.
The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) is giving evidence to a House of Representatives inquiry hearing into adult dental services on Monday.
In its submission NACCHO called on the federal government to provide money to Aboriginal-controlled health organisations so they could provide dental services.
Aboriginal people were more likely than non-indigenous Australians to have lost all their teeth, it said.
The organisation urged state and territory government to fluoridate all town, city and Aboriginal community water supplies.
As well more work was needed to attract dental workers to remote Aboriginal communities.
“There are concerns among dental health professionals that positions in Aboriginal communities are not seen as part of the usual career ladder,” NACCHO said.
Exposure to Aboriginal controlled health organisations during training would help attract more young dentists.
Proper funding would allow organisations to offer competitive remuneration packages that would encourage dentists to remote and rural areas.
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