Things are getting real

PROVIDER NUMBER UPDATE

Things are getting real

We look forward to 2022 and the dawn of a new era for our profession with the policy changes relating to provider numbers

By Bill Suen

AFTER MANY YEARS of advocacy work and with the launch of our Bad Mouth Campaign last year, the policy change to allow dental hygienists, dental therapists and oral health therapists to apply for a provider number from Services Australia and to claim directly for services provided under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) within the respective scope of practice has been given preliminary approval by the Government. The Department of Health is now working towards implementing the change with a planned commencement date of 1 July 2022.

The proposed changes will align the professional groups with billing rights under the CDBS with the Scope of Practice Standard for dental hygienists, dental therapists and oral health therapists, approved by the Council of Australian Governments Health Council in November 2019.

In a joint media release from DHAA and ADOHTA, the incumbent DHAA President Cheryl Dey thanked the large number of members, federal and state parliamentarians, and many other organisations for their advice and support throughout the process. ADOHTA President Nicole Stormon acknowledged the hard work of our oral health leaders over the past decade; “We have come far in gaining recognition of our skills and qualifications, with the removal of ‘supervised’ practice, becoming independent practitioners and now the ability to gain Medicare provider numbers”.

The practical impact of this change is relatively small for now, as Medicare provider numbers for dental practitioners are only applicable for Federal Government funded dental benefit schemes which, at the moment, is only CDBS.

The Commonwealth DVA dental benefits scheme requires dental

practitioners who have Medicare provider numbers to register directly with the DVA outside of Service Australia and the Department of Health. DHAA and ADOHTA have commenced negotiations with the DVA now that the profession will have Medicare provider numbers.

The Associations have also been in regular contact with the private health insurance sector regarding our Medicare provider number status. Now that the government has recognised our billing rights to provide health services, negotiation with the sector has commenced to allow the profession to bill through private health insurance.

This will have a significant impact on our members moving forward and we will keep you informed of the progress.

Both DHAA and ADOHTA presidents agreed that this will eventually provide the Australian public with better access and choice, particularly where there are significant service gaps such as those in aged care and rural Australia.

Services Australia, the Commonwealth agency that is responsible for the administration of provider numbers, are in the process of setting up their IT system to reflect the changes. The Associations are in regular contact with them via the Department of Health, and will inform members on details for the application process when the system is set up and ready. n

“Now that the government has recognised our billing rights to provide health services, negotiation with the sector has commenced to allow the profession to bill through private health insurance”

From the Big chair

As we approach the end of a unique and troubled year, Bulletin Editor Robyn Russell extols the virtues of self reflection

AS 2021 NEARS an end many of us use the time to reflect and ponder on what was, what could have been, what we have learnt and what we want for 2022. This time of self-reflection can be a very useful tool to grow and develop as clinicians and humans.

“Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful.” Margaret J. Wheatley, American writer, teacher, speaker, and management consultant.

Self-reflection may be described as the simple and philanthropic ability to look inward into one’s true character. Reflecting on your own thoughts and actions allows you to gradually grow as a person, and possibly as a practitioner. This is not as easy of a task as it sounds. Reflecting on one’s actions, can highlight flaws and mistakes, and when you find these flaws, it can be easy to “Self-reflection can be a very useful tool to grow and develop as clinicians and humans” blame yourself or give up. Great courage is required to accept your misprints, or bloopers and to start working on them wholeheartedly. Working on yourself and constantly providing yourself with constructive appraisal is vital for overall growth in all aspects of your life and career.

“Your life is a reflection of your thoughts. If you change your thinking, you change your life.” Brian Tracy, Canadian-American motivational speaker.

Let’s reflect on 2021 as a year of constant change, adaption, and immense growth. Yes, all of us have made mistakes this year and not completed tasks as we had hoped. Although, acknowledgement of our failings during the year allow us all the opportunity to develop strategies for success into 2022.

I hope you enjoy, value and get some great insights from the final edition of the DHAA Bulletin for 2021.

DHAA Bulletin Editor

bulletin@dhaa.info