The issue came to light after Graham York Dental Surgery in Balclutha changed hands recently, leaving the surgery without a contract to deliver emergency dental care to adult Community Service Card holders in lower income brackets.
South Otago has three dental surgeries — two in Balclutha and one in Milton.
Although none wished to go on record about the situation yesterday, all confirmed to the Otago Daily Times they did not offer subsidised treatment.
The University of Otago Dental School subcontracts emergency dental services to regional surgeries for the Southern DHB, and clinical director Don Schwass said it was working as quickly as possible to resolve the situation.
‘‘Patient wellbeing is paramount, and we’re making it an absolute priority to provide accessible services in an equitable fashion to patients in South
Otago.’’
He hoped a new contract would be in place locally ‘‘within one to two weeks’’.
Dr Schwass pointed out a misunderstanding regarding the emergency subsidies, saying low-income patients could still access free or subsidised care through Work and Income grants.
‘‘Winz offers qualifying grants of up to $300 for dental treatment. The emergency provision is intended as just that — the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff,’’ Dr Schwass said.
An employee, who wanted to remain anonymous, at one of the district’s dentists said they knew of several patients who had ‘‘thought twice’’ about receiving treatment because of the current limitations.
‘‘Many Community Service Card holders don’t have access to a car, so a trip to Dunedin for dental care becomes a significant challenge.’’
They were working with other South Otago surgeries to reinstate emergency access, in conjunction with the dental school.
New Zealand Dental Association president Dr Katie Ayers said situations such as South Otago’s were ‘‘unfair’’ to patients.
‘‘[We] continue to advocate for more resources for low-income adult dental care. A simple thing the Government could do is double the dental grant, which has been $300 for several decades. It is no longer fit for purpose.’’
An NZDA report on funding and other improvements was before Parliament , she said.
