A WAIT of close to a year and a half for treatment at Bunbury’s public dental clinic could mean patients could “slip through the cracks,” according to the Community and Public Sector Union.
The union fears come on the back of growing waiting lists for public dental health care across the state.
The waiting list for non-urgent treatment at the Bunbury General Dental Health Clinic, located at the South West Health Campus, is currently 17.5 months.
The union is campaigning for better resources for its dental health members.
Branch secretary Toni Walkington said the union had been talking to the health department to implement a fair classification structure and working conditions to attract and retain staff.
She said there was a real concern that if something was not done to improve working conditions, staff would leave and the public service would shut down.
Ms Walkington said many people could slip through the cracks because they would not be able to afford private treatment.
“This is an important service that is not running the way it should be because there has not been enough investment,” Ms Walkington said.
A health department spokesman said recruitment of clinicians had been challenging.
“However, an additional dentist has been employed and is due to arrive in Bunbury in the coming weeks,” he said.
“Once the clinic is fully staffed it is anticipated that there will be a reduction in the current time that children are waiting for an examination.”
The health department has put forward a submission to health minister Kim Hames but no details have been released.
