After years of tireless campaigning to try and make affordable dental care available to everyone, Dubbo dental prosthetist Peter Muller will run for a federal senate seat as an independent in 2016.
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Mr Muller said other avenues he had tried in an effort to get dental health made a priority by the federal government had been unsuccessful and his only option now was to involve himself in politics.
At the age of 65, Mr Muller said he was in a position where he could wipe his hands of the issue and retire but as a German migrant who came to Australia when he was young, he still wants to contribute to his adopted nation.
"I have talked to politicians and to the media and presented ideas that would help to improve dental care but nothing is working," he said.
"This is my final act. I am standing up for the community and saying a universal dental plan is the only option.
Mr Muller said his plan to make sure everybody was able to access good dental care would involve creating a very small tax on unhealthy foods, alcohol and cigarettes which would generate millions of dollars a month. He would also charge $16 a month to users which would help to subside procedures like general cleaning, tooth extraction, fillings and dentures.
"Burgers, chips, soft drink, cigarettes and alcohol are all contributing to dental problems so by charging just one cent on each of those items, it would create a significant amount of funding," Mr Muller said.
He said he hoped Australians would understand the importance of making dental care a priority. In his work as a dental prosthetist, Mr Muller said he had seen first-hand just how much people neglected their teeth, often because of the cost involved with getting procedures done.
"I treat people who can't afford to pay the full rate and I go out to Bourke and Lightning Ridge where the patient numbers have dropped because people can't afford to have the work done," he said.
Mr Muller has been campaigning since the former Labor government abolished the Medicare Chronic Dental Disease Scheme in December 2012, which helped those with cancer, heart conditions, diabetes, and other chronic diseases to seek treatment quickly to avoid further health problems. He staged walks from Dubbo to Perth and Dubbo to Sydney to raise awareness for dental care and a universal dental plan.
Parkes MP Mark Coulton is a supporter of Mr Muller's work and former Health Minister Peter Dutton met with him earlier this year but the dental prosthetist said not enough had been done and a scheme needed to be introduced as soon as possible.
With more than 400,000 patients on dental waiting lists and many struggling to pay the cost of the bills, Mr Muller said he hoped Australians would see the merit in his proposal.
Prior to the 2016 election he will embark on a statewide campaign to promote his message.
However Mr Muller said would not be accepting any donations, he was determined to fund his entire campaign himself.