Dental scheme cost blowout

A government funded dental scheme is costing much more than predicted:

When it was introduced by then health minister Tony Abbott in the lead up to the 2007 election, it was projected to cost $377 million over four years.

In 2009, dentists claimed more than AU$484 million [US$408 million].

The blowout is apparently attributable to claiming errors:

Minister for Human Services Chris Bowen says Medicare is working with the Australian Dental Association to educate and inform dentists on the correct use of the scheme.

"Medicare has had ongoing concerns about compliance with the scheme, as it has identified dentists claiming for work they have not provided and claiming when they did not meet the legal requirements of the scheme," Mr Bowen said.

"I understand most dentists try to do the right thing and that the majority of incorrect claiming is accidental."

Nah, dentists would never dip into a pile of money of government money there for the taking. Sure you're almost 60 but that doesn't mean you wouldn't benefit from braces.