❓ Hon Adele Farina's question highlights public dental waitlists and staffing in the South West region, specifically Bunbury and Busselton. The response indicates a significant reduction in waitlist numbers and wait times between 2015 and 2016, but also reveals staffing shortages in Busselton.
AnsweredQoN 4435Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) As at 1 September 2015 and 2016, how many people were on the public dental wait list in the South West region? (2) For each Bunbury and Busselton, and for each 2015 and 2016, what was the average wait time for a dental appointment? (3) As at 1 September 2015 and 2016, how many FTE dentists, dental therapists, dental assistants, and dental nurses were allocated at each Busselton and Bunbury? (4) For each Busselton and Bunbury, are there any positions currently vacant and, if yes, which positions and for how long have they been vacant? (5) For each Busselton and Bunbury, how many people are currently on the wait list for dental appointments?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 November 2016
Responded by
Minister for Planning representing the Minister for Health
Response time
35 days
(1) As at 1 September 2015, there were 1233 people on the public dental waitlist in the South West region.
As at 1 September 2016, there were 430 people on the public dental waitlist in the South West region.
(2) Emergency urgent care is usually provided on the day of presentation. The average wait times for non-urgent care have been as follows:
Public Dental Clinic
2015 (as at 1 September)
2016 (as at 1 September)
Bunbury
16.8 months
2.3 months
Busselton
12.3 months
3.2 months
(3)
Public Dental Clinic
Dentist FTE
Dental Assistants FTE
1 September 2015
Bunbury
5.0
7.0
Busselton
4.0
6.0
1 September 2016
Bunbury
5.0
7.0
Busselton
4.0
6.0
Note: Dental Therapists are not employed in the Busselton or Bunbury Public Dental Clinics. Dental Nurses are not employed by Dental Health Services (DHS).
(4) As at 11 October 2016 there were two Dental Assistant positions vacant at the Busselton Public Dental Clinic. They have been vacant for 11 months; a recruitment process is currently underway to fill these positions.
As at 11 October 2016, there were no vacancies at the Bunbury Public Dental Clinic.
(5) As at 11 October 2016 there were 144 people on the wait list for a dental appointment at the Bunbury Public Dental Clinic
As at 11 October 2016 there were 244 people on the wait list for a dental appointment at the Busselton Public Dental Clinic.
As at 1 September 2016, there were 430 people on the public dental waitlist in the South West region.
(2) Emergency urgent care is usually provided on the day of presentation. The average wait times for non-urgent care have been as follows:
Public Dental Clinic
2015 (as at 1 September)
2016 (as at 1 September)
Bunbury
16.8 months
2.3 months
Busselton
12.3 months
3.2 months
(3)
Public Dental Clinic
Dentist FTE
Dental Assistants FTE
1 September 2015
Bunbury
5.0
7.0
Busselton
4.0
6.0
1 September 2016
Bunbury
5.0
7.0
Busselton
4.0
6.0
Note: Dental Therapists are not employed in the Busselton or Bunbury Public Dental Clinics. Dental Nurses are not employed by Dental Health Services (DHS).
(4) As at 11 October 2016 there were two Dental Assistant positions vacant at the Busselton Public Dental Clinic. They have been vacant for 11 months; a recruitment process is currently underway to fill these positions.
As at 11 October 2016, there were no vacancies at the Bunbury Public Dental Clinic.
(5) As at 11 October 2016 there were 144 people on the wait list for a dental appointment at the Bunbury Public Dental Clinic
As at 11 October 2016 there were 244 people on the wait list for a dental appointment at the Busselton Public Dental Clinic.
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