Although Otago school dental clinics are now fully staffed, some pupils are waiting longer than usual for standard treatment as new graduate therapists are mentored.
Public Health South primary services manager Sharyn Robson said the service had four new graduates this year when usually, it only had one.
Graduates are mentored for a year before going out on their own.
The service employs 23 therapists and seven dental assistants.
The situation meant some children would be waiting "slightly longer" to be seen, but Miss Robson was not able to say how long that was on average.
Some parts of the province were affected more than others.
Anybody who had an emergency situation could be seen or referred on as necessary.
Miss Robson said therapists had been extremely accommodating about the situation and had been prepared to work outside their normal regions to cover shortfalls, which had been a huge help as the service tried to balance the workload.
The Ministry of Health is yet to make an announcement about Otago's preferred options for the future school dental service.
Last year, the Otago District Health Board presented a case involving replacing its 66 school dental clinics with nine fixed clinics and two mobile clinics.
The ministry recently sought extra information from the board.
Board planning and funding regional manager Chris Fraser said the original plan was being reworked in the light of expected available funding.
This process would be completed by July.
If major changes were necessary the matter would have to come before the board again.
