Patients in rural areas in Australia struggling to see a dentist
Patients living in rural areas of Australia are struggling to get an appointment with a dentist, it has been revealed.
Residents from more remote areas are being forced to wait several months for routine treatment, with some waiting for more than two years for a routine check-up.
Australia is a vast land mass with a relatively small population; consequently, there are many remote communities, which are miles away from large towns and cities. Most dentists are drawn to towns and cities because salaries are higher and the work is more varied; consequently, there is a severe shortage of dentists in rural areas.
The problem stretches across the country and it is estimated that thousands of patients are not receiving adequate dental services. Dental experts say they are trying their best to treat as many patients as possible but there are simply not enough dentists to go round.
Oral health is a subject of great debate in Australia; recently, oral health policy became a deal-breaker in the negotiations between the parties involved in making up the coalition government. The Green Party pledged to revitalise the oral health system and promised to plough billions of pounds into the system to improve access to dental care and ensure patients receive the treatment they need.
Dental experts and patients are hoping that new investment will help to increase recruitment and improve services and access to dental care.
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