2023-11-24
The Victorian Labor Government has revealed wait times for general dental care have remained stubbornly high, as the Greens call for longer-term solutions.
In response to questioning by the Greens during a Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC) hearing today, the Health Department said the current wait time for dental care was 16.4 months, having barely moved since 2021.
Victorian Greens spokesperson for health services, Dr Sarah Mansfield, said it was outrageous that people were being forced to wait up to a year and a half to get basic dental care.
She added that without proper government investment in the system, the wait times would continue to rise.
The Greens have said that growing the public dental workforce and more investment in prevention programs would help alleviate the buckling system and ensure Victorians across the state received the care they need.
Quotes attributable to Victorian Greens health services spokesperson, Dr Sarah Mansfield:
“As a GP I know firsthand how important it is for kids to have healthy teeth.
“Poor oral health is linked to a host of other health problems, and it also impacts speech development, self-esteem, and opportunities later in life.
“It’s outrageous that right now Victorians are being forced to wait up to a year and half for basic dental care.
“And that’s just the average wait time – in places like Eltham the wait time is 24 months, and in Warrnambool it’s 38 months.
“The Victorian Labor Government needs to properly invest in the system now, or the wait lists will only continue to rise.”