THE average wait time for public dental treatment in northern Victoria is just above the state average of 16.9 months.
Recent data from the Australian Dental Association of Victoria found the average wait time for Murray Plains residents was 20 months.
However, wait times were more manageable at Swan Hill District Health, with the general care waiting time at 1.2 months and denture care at 16.7 months.
Waiting times for general dental care have increased from an average of 16.5 months to 16.9 months across Victoria over the past six months.
There are more than 1.5 million adults who are eligible to access public dental care in Victoria, but only 197,641 were able to receive care in the 12 months from July 2022 to June 2023.
The ADAVB has attributed the wait times to workforce shortages, with only 186.1 full time equivalent dentists employed across Victoria in June 2023 compared with 223.6 in 2018.
“Long waiting times for dental care mean existing dental problems worsen, and may lead to the need for emergency care. Around one third of all courses of care are for emergency treatment rather than routine and preventive care,” a spokesperson said.
“People with poor oral health may experience pain and embarrassment, have trouble speaking and eating, miss school, have trouble getting a job, and develop other serious health problems. That’s why it’s so important that all Victorians have access to regular dental care.”
The ADAVB has called on both the state and federal governments to take urgent action and increase their investment in public dentistry to increase Victorians access to public care.
Some steps they have suggested include the establishment of a Senior Dental Benefits Scheme in line with recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Safety and Quality, developing a sustainable funding strategy, Introducing measures to address wait times and incentivising the workforce to stay in the field.
They also suggested implementing a tax on sugar sweetened beverages and removing junk food advertising from public spaces including public transport.
