Community, dental and health groups have banded together to urge the main political parties to commit to taking urgent action for helping one in three Australians, who are compelled to delay, even avoid dental services due to their cost.

With the launch of its campaign, the Oral Health Alliance hopes to pressurise the parties to ensure affordable and timely dental services for all Australians.

According to the alliance, low-income earners faced excessive waits for public dental services, with public system service levels varying between states and territories.

Those people who were not likely to be able to access dental care, such as low-income earners, those from rural and remote areas, including indigenous people suffered from poor oral health.

Dr. Neil Hewson, Australian Dental Association President said the first priority for oral health is to ensure low income groups can access timely dental services.

Dr. Hewson said there was also an urgent requirement for more public education campaigns on dental health, as all dental problems like tooth decay, gum disease, erosion and abrasion, oral cancer being entirely preventable.

People should be encouraged to look after their teeth themselves, which will help reduce the demand for dental treatment making it more affordable.

However, as Tony McBride, Chairman, Australian Health Care Reform Alliance said dental health did not receive the same level of attention as other areas of health, with the health and social impact of poor oral health immense.'

According to the alliance, research showed 90% of those suffering from serious oral health problems experienced pain or discomfort.

The Labour Party having come under fire over its modest mental health policy, now faces pressure on the orphan of the health system, namely dental care.

Long waiting lists mean over 7 million Australians are unable to receive dental care when they need it.

Labour has rejected a National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission recommendation for establishing a universal denticare scheme for dealing with low-income earners, who are a part of waiting lists for public treatment.