Ms. Beard questions the Minister for Health about the lack of dental services in the Midwest region, specifically the school program, and requests an upgrade to the mobile dental van. The Minister acknowledges the workforce challenges and outlines ongoing efforts to incentivize dental professionals to serve in public programs.

AnsweredQoN 588Legislative Assembly
Asked
11 September 2024
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

SCHOOL
DENTAL SERVICE — MIDWEST
588. Ms M. BEARD to the Minister for Health:
I refer to a current lack of dental
services, including the school program, across the midwest region in towns such
as Mount Magnet, Cue, Yalgoo, Meekatharra and Sandstone.
(1) Given the
importance of oral hygiene and its link to positive health outcomes, when will
regular dental services again be provided to the region?
(2) Will the very
aged mobile dental van, currently located in Mount Magnet, be upgraded to meet
the needs and requirements across the region?

AnswerView source ↗

(1)–(2) It
is a fact that the dental workforce is incredibly challenged at this point in
time. We are working with our colleagues
across government around how we can provide even more incentives for dentists
to do this work. It is not only in the member's electorate; it
is a challenge across the state. It is not only a challenge for public sector.
It is true that the North Metropolitan Health Service provides a range of
fly-in fly-out services to provide those services for the community. We
continue to encourage the dental workforce to participate
in the public dental provision program, particularly the schools program. We
are always working with our colleagues across government to provide more
incentives for them to do so.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more