The AAPD has appealed to the government to increase funding for urgent and life-altering dental treatments for children in regional public hospitals. AAPD representative and chair of the advocacy committee, Dr. Tim Keys, highlighted the growing issue of untreated dental cases in children due to inadequate hospital funding and the resulting long waiting lists. He noted that many children, especially those with additional medical needs such as autism or disabilities, are left in chronic pain, suffering from conditions like facial swelling, because public dental clinics lack the resources to admit them for timely treatment.
Dr. Keys emphasised that the lack of a coordinated approach to dental care and the absence of a Chief Dental Officer in Australia have contributed to this crisis which can see children facing multi-year waitlists and struggling to access even private care due to reduced availability.
