The Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) has stressed the Federal Government to take action to avert an imminent dental health catastrophe after it released figures that show the public waiting list for dental health services has stretched out to 650,000 across the nation. 

 

The figures indicate the average waiting time is in excess of two years for any kind of dental help, with only 11 per cent of those on the list receiving any treatment.

 

CHF CEO Carol Bennett describes the situation as a national embarrassment, saying that close to two million Australians who urgently needed dental care missed out because they could not afford it, contributing to an estimated national loss of $2 billion in productivity losses.

  

“More than 30% of all adults and close to 47% of concession card holders are delaying or avoiding dental treatment because of the cost. This is undoubtedly a crisis,” said Ms Bennett.

 

“We know the community is very concerned about this issue. There needs to be clear leadership from the Federal Government and commitment from State and Territory Governments. Something has gone badly wrong when you have nearly three quarters of a million Australians on a public waiting list with the national average wait time over two years.”