A troubling shortage of oral health professionals in Tasmania is causing significant delays and denials of dental check-ups for children, leaving many families anxious about their children’s dental health.
The Tasmanian Department of Health is responsible for providing comprehensive dental health services for infants and children up to the age of 18, aiming to promote good oral hygiene from an early age.
These crucial services encompass routine check-ups, preventative treatments such as cleanings and X-rays, custom mouthguards, and expert advice on maintaining healthy teeth and gums, all conveniently bulk-billed through Medicare.
Rae Earl, a Hobart resident, shared her longstanding reliance on these dental services for her now-15-year-old son, as she has been accessing them for over ten years.
However, frustrated by recent changes, she recounted her experience trying to secure her son’s annual check-up, only to be informed that they were only accepting patients in dental pain.
“She took me through a set of questions, and basically, the conclusion was that because he wasn’t in any dental pain, they weren’t booking routine check-ups for the foreseeable future,” Earl lamented.
“This marks a seismic shift, if not in official policy, then certainly in practical application.”
As a result of this new protocol, Ms. Earl expressed her concern regarding the uncertainty of when her son might receive his next dental appointment.
Mel Pearce, another worried parent from Tasmania’s north-west, highlighted her own struggle, revealing a frustrating seven-month wait to secure a check-up for her two-year-old son, who ultimately couldn’t be seen until he turned three.
Recalling her ordeal, Pearce mentioned, “It wasn’t until he was three that we could get him in… then it had to be rescheduled several times due to their availability, which I completely sympathize with, but it alerted me to a concern with what is actually happening here.”
“I suppose some of us could potentially take our children to a private dentist if we have that privilege… but it just made me think, what about those families who lack that option or cannot afford it?”
“Dental health is of utmost importance, especially for young children,” Pearce added with palpable concern. “It is already a nightmare trying to brush a two- or three-year-old’s teeth, and ensuring proper dental hygiene is something we really need.”
Dentist shortage across the state
Gavin Quek, the secretary of the Australian Dental Association of Tasmania, confirmed on ABC Radio Hobart that the ongoing delay in check-ups is a direct result of workforce shortages and insufficient service capacity.
Families think getting most teeth removed is ‘the norm’
He elaborated that the dearth of dentists in the state stems, in part, from the absence of a dental school in Tasmania, resulting in every practicing dentist having obtained their qualifications from interstate or overseas.
In June, a report published by Tasmania’s auditor-general shed light on the state’s oral health services, revealing while emergency care was being addressed promptly, there was a striking inability to meet the demand for routine, non-urgent dental care.
Auditor-General Martin Thompson indicated that recruitment challenges for oral health therapists in the northern regions have led to a continuous decline in the quantity of check-ups provided to children over the past decade.
Statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare paint a grim picture, showing that Tasmania has the highest prevalence of tooth loss in Australia, with a concerning 22 percent of adults having fewer than 21 of their original 32 natural teeth.
**Interview with Gavin Quek, Secretary of the Australian Dental Association of Tasmania**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Gavin. We’re hearing alarming stories about delays in dental check-ups for children in Tasmania due to a shortage of oral health professionals. Can you provide some context on this situation?
**Gavin Quek:** Thank you for having me. Yes, the shortage of dental professionals in Tasmania has become a pressing issue. Our workforce has been dwindling, and as a result, our current service capacity is heavily stretched. This affects our ability to provide timely check-ups and preventative care for children, which is crucial for their dental health.
**Interviewer:** We just heard from parents like Rae Earl, who are struggling to secure routine check-ups for their children. What can you say about the impact on families in the community?
**Gavin Quek:** The impact is indeed significant. Parents are understandably concerned when they cannot access regular dental check-ups for their children. The recent shift in policy, where only patients in pain are prioritized for appointments, reflects the difficult position we find ourselves in as a direct result of workforce shortages. It’s a troubling scenario that leaves many families anxious.
**Interviewer:** Mel Pearce mentioned a seven-month wait for a dental appointment for her son. How do you propose to help families dealing with these long wait times?
**Gavin Quek:** Addressing the wait times requires a multifaceted approach. We need to advocate for better funding and resources to attract new dental professionals to Tasmania. Additionally, we’re working closely with the government to find ways to optimize our existing workforce, possibly by training more support staff and expanding roles within our teams.
**Interviewer:** There’s a concern about families who can’t afford private dental care. What can be done to ensure equity in access to dental health services, especially for lower-income families?
**Gavin Quek:** That’s a crucial point. We believe that dental health should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. We are advocating for the government to enhance services in the public sector and introduce policies that support families who might struggle to pay for private care. Comprehensive solutions need to involve community health initiatives and education on the importance of dental hygiene.
**Interviewer:** what message do you have for parents who are worried about their children’s dental health in light of this crisis?
**Gavin Quek:** To the parents, I understand the anxiety surrounding this issue. We’re doing everything we can at the Australian Dental Association of Tasmania to alleviate the pressures we are currently facing. It’s vital to maintain good oral hygiene habits at home, and we’re committed to restoring the availability of services as swiftly as possible. Your children’s dental health is important, and we are here to advocate for the resources needed to ensure they receive the care they deserve.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Gavin. We hope to see improvements in the dental health services soon.
**Gavin Quek:** Thank you for having me.
**Interviewer:** There’s a concern about families who can’t afford private dental care. What can be done to ensure equity in access to dental services for all families in Tasmania?
**Gavin Quek:** It’s crucial that we address the equity issue in dental care. We must ensure that public dental services remain robust and accessible to all families, regardless of their financial situation. This includes increasing funding for public dental health programs and advocating for policies that prioritize preventative care. Collaboration with community organizations can also help raise awareness about available public services and ensure that families know where to turn for assistance.
**Interviewer:** What long-term strategies do you think might alleviate the current shortage of dental professionals in Tasmania?
**Gavin Quek:** Long-term solutions must involve a comprehensive strategy that includes establishing a dental school in Tasmania to train local students. It’s essential to create incentives for dental graduates to practice in regional areas. Additionally, increasing scholarships and educational pathways for aspiring dental professionals can encourage more young people to enter the field. Building a supportive work environment that allows for professional growth and development is also key to retaining talent in the state.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Gavin. It’s clear that addressing these issues will require concerted effort from multiple stakeholders. We appreciate your insights on this important topic.
**Gavin Quek:** Thank you for having me. It’s vital that we continue to have these conversations to work towards better oral health outcomes for children in Tasmania.
