Children's dental health has improved significantly over the
past two years, the Government claims.
Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne, who is responsible for
oral health, said 18 percent more pre-school children were
enrolled for district health board (DHB) dental services
compared with 2007 and 20,000 more adolescents were accessing
free oral health care through their local dentists, a 12
percent increase.
"There were some obvious problems that needed fixing and we
are on our way," Mr Dunne said.
"The waiting list for enrolled children waiting to see a
dental therapist has nearly halved since 2007, which is a
significant achievement given the changes the service has
been going through in the last two years."
The changes meant DHBs would focus on preventing oral disease
and not just on drilling and filling, Mr Dunne said.
Health Minister Tony Ryall said the Ministry of Health and
DHBs had been working hard to fix oral health services for
children.
"Until recently we had been seeing more severe dental decay
in children, especially in the highest-need population, but
that situation is improving," he said.
Mr Dunne said the Government had invested $40 million in new
buildings and mobile dental clinics for children and would
invest a further $80 million over the next two years.
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