Doctors forced to treat dental patients in Australia
A number of doctors in the Queanbeyan area of Australia have revealed that they have been forced to treat dental patients due to a shortage of dentists in the region.
Residents in the area, which is located south-east of Canberra, say that it is extremely difficult to get an appointment with a local dentist and are taking their dental health problems to their doctors instead.
Dr Ross Bills, a local GP, said that the situation is getting worse each year, with a large number of doctors being forced to carry out work, which they are not really qualified to do. Dr Bills said that most patients have symptoms of cavities, which have developed while patients have been waiting for dental appointments. Many patients experience dental problems because they have not been to see a dentist for a long time and their condition has deteriorated to the point where they are in severe pain and have no option but to visit a doctor or an emergency medical department.
Local dentist Dr Michael Ryan said that there was a widespread shortage of dentists across Australia and access to dentists in remote areas was particularly poor; consequently, many people are waiting long periods of time for appointments with their dentist and this means that their general oral health is deteriorating. Dr Ryan said the country was desperate for a new system, which focused on preventative treatment.
It is hoped that the new government will invest in the dental healthcare system, which has come under fire from dentists, patient consumer groups and opposition parties for many years.
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