Call for cuts to Corio, Newcomb dental waits

Jessica Benton
CORIO and Newcomb residents face two-year waits for public dental services, according to new figures.
Australian Dental Association ranked both areas equal ninth for the longest waits in regional Victoria.
Corio and Newcomb remained two months above State Government’s budgeted target despite eight and 17-month falls in their respective waiting lists.
Australian Dental Association Victorian branch president Doctor Stephen Cottrell said the Government must do more to fix the waiting list crisis.
“Public patients in Victoria are entitled to have access to dental care in a reasonable time, not years,” he said.
Dr Cottrell said wider use of an existing voucher scheme for private practices could be a solution.
A spokesperson for Health Minister Daniel Andrews said more private practices must get on board the scheme.
“The Brumby Government takes dental health very seriously and we’ve invested more than $950 million in oral health since coming to power in 1999,” the spokesperson said.