New research by the New South Wales Council of Social Service shows almost one-third of Tamworth residents aged 15 and over have NOT seen a dentist in the last 12 months.
The Australian Dental Association says fear of treatment costs is likely to be a big factor, with dentistry not currently included in Medicare rebates.
“It’s a pretty offensive number if you think about it, that people can’t, or won’t, get oral healthcare.. and, it all goes back to the simple issue of funding.”
It comes as more than 14,000 adult patients remain on dental waiting lists across the Hunter New England Health District alone.
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