The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien says Gippsland dental health wait lists will continue to blow out following a Labor Government health cut.
Mr O’Brien was speaking in Parliament in response to a $24 million cut to the dental health program in the Andrews Labor Government’s 2022-2023 State Budget announced last week.
“I have asked the Minister for Health what action will be taken to address the growing dental wait lists across Gippsland in light of this significant funding cut.
“The budget papers show that 44,000 fewer Victorians will get important public dental treatment next year because of these cuts.
“With poor dental health regularly leading to poor general health, the Minister must explain why the government is cutting dental services to Gippsland patients.”
Data from the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch shows the average wait time for general dental care across Gippsland South to be 24.9 months.[1]
“It is beggars belief that the Andrews Labor Government would make such a significant budget cut to a program that is already failing the people of Gippsland.
“Latest data shows that every Gippsland public dental care program saw an increase on its general dental care waitlist in the last six months of last year.
“I am seeking assurance that action will be taken to ensure the dental waitlist will not only stop growing, but significantly reduce.”
[1] https://adavb.org/advocacy/campaigns/public-dental-waiting-times