Page 2121 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 28 May 1991

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MINISTER FOR HEALTH, EDUCATION AND THE ARTS

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTION

QUESTION TAKEN ON NOTICE ON 18 APRIL 1991

Dental Services

MR STEVENSON - asked the Minister for Health, Education and the Arts:

My question ... concerns what would appear to be a severe lack of dentists available to the people of Canberra who are on social security pensions. Is the waiting lists for an appointment to see a dentists some 14 months in the Health Authority building in Civic?

This dental service is available of course to people who have a health care card, a health benefits card or pensioner card, all issued from the Department of Social Security.

Is it also correct that the other two dental clinics in the ACT dealing with pensioners, Woden and Belconnen, have a waiting list of about 12 months?

While I realise that in emergency cases patients are dealt with quickly, does the Minister agree that there are exceedingly long delays otherwise and is there something being done about that to increase the number of dentist available?

MR HUMPHRIES - the answer to Mr Stevensons question is:

Difficulties in recruiting to vacancies has resulted in a severe shortage of dentists in ACT Dental Services; currently there are seven vacancies. Waiting times at Civic, Belconnen and Phillip are as follows:

1. Emergency appointments are made on a daily basis.

2. Appointments for General examinations are 12 to 14 months.

3. Prosthetics - Elderly patients/denture wearers with problems are given appointments as soon as possible. Dentures are usually completed within 3 to 4 months.

2121

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