Hon Adele Farina questions the Minister for Health regarding wait times and policy targets at dental therapy centres in the South West. The Minister provides data on wait times and clarifies the policy regarding dental check-ups.

AnsweredQoN 1136Legislative Council
Asked
14 October 2015
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

DENTAL THERAPY CENTRES — SOUTH WEST
1136. Hon ADELE FARINA to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the dental therapy centres in the south west.
(1) What is the average wait time for a recall examination at
the following dental therapy centres —
(a) Australind;
(b) Adam Road; and
(c) West Busselton?
(2) Is it the
policy position of the school dental service that children will have access to
an annual dental health check-up; and, if the answer is no, what is the policy
position?
(3) Are the
policy targets being achieved at these centres?

AnswerView source ↗

I just want to clarify that this is
question C1137. The numbering of the answers on my copy is out of order, but I am
sure we will work it out.
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The most
recent monthly service data update is available up until 1 September 2015, and
the wait times are as follows —
(a) 18.5 months;
(b) 20.5 months; and
(c) 13.5 months.
(2) Students are
generally provided with an initial course of care during the first year of
enrolment in the school dental service. In some cases, parents may opt to have
their children treated privately. Students are then placed on a recall waiting
list to undergo a periodic recall examination, which is dependent upon their
clinical needs. Students at high risk of dental disease are seen more
frequently than those at lower risk. Emergency dental care is usually provided
on the day of presentation to a dental therapy centre. Australia's
National Oral Health Plan 2015–2024 indicates that children should
receive an oral health check-up at least every two years, and children with
greater oral health needs should be seen more frequently.
(3) As of 1 September
2015, Australind, Adam Road and West Busselton dental therapy centres are
achieving the targets as described above.

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