Dental waiting lists increase

A report in The Australian today notes that 20,000 people each year are added to the waiting lists for public dental care, and that there are now over 650,000 people in the queue.

Victoria's waiting list grew from 143,000 in 1997 to 197,810 in 2004/05. Figures in the most recent Dental Health Services Victoria Annual Report indicate that waiting times have begun to improve, and triage systems being used now ensure that emergency treatment is usually provided within 24 hours.