Wednesday, 12 August 2026

 Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ambulance Services, Special Minister of State) (12:37): I rise to update the house on how the Carroll Labor government is saving families time and money with free dental care for kids. Last week I was thrilled to be able to join the member for Kororoit in the other place at Resurrection primary school in Kings Park, a beautiful little school, to announce that the expansion of Victoria’s Smile Squad free dental program to students at low-fee non-government schools is now underway. Delivered by a dedicated mobile team of oral care clinicians, Smile Squad provides free check-ups and follow-up care, including X-rays, teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, fillings and root canals, and at-school services mean busy families do not need to worry about missing school or work for a dental appointment. Regular dental check-ups can cost parents up to $400 a year per child, but with Labor’s Smile Squad it is free, putting money back into the pockets of families and easing cost-of-living pressures.

Backed in by $16 million in investment, 54 schools across metro and regional Victoria have been invited to participate in the program as part of our phased rollout to all low-fee non-government schools. Since 2019 Smile Squad has already visited more than a thousand public schools, seen more than 175,000 students and delivered more than 1 million oral health kits. Only Labor will make it easier and cheaper for Victorian kids and their families to access free dental care. With a $40 billion cuts plan, we know that the Jess Wilson and One Nation coalition will slash these critical services. They will cut the free services Victorians rely on and make life harder and more expensive for families.

I would like to thank everybody at Resurrection primary school, including the principal Adrian Glasby and all the students, for having us there on Friday and for celebrating this wonderful free dental program.