Budget targets public dental waiting lists

The State Budget (large file - see pp 100-101) has brought little relief to the swelling list of public dental patients.

Although increasing funding by around 6% to reduce public dental waiting lists, the Government has not provided much needed dental services to residents in nursing homes.

The Government aims to provide dental services to 314,700 people – an increase of 9700 or 3% - while maintaining the current treatment waiing times of 23 months for dental treatment and 22 months for dentures.

Additional capital expenditure on new clinics, especially in regional Victoria is welcome.