New dental chairs for Maryborough

The opening of six new dental chairs is set to further improve oral health waiting times across Maryborough and the Wide Bay.

Visiting the hospital today, Health Minister Lawrence Springborg officially opened the new chairs within the hospital, bringing the total number of dental chairs to 15.

“We have already seen significant improvements in dental waiting times across the Wide Bay and the opening of these new chairs will ensure we can continue to meet the demand for dental services,” Mr Springborg said.

“We promised to revitalise frontline services and providing dental care in a more appropriate time frame is just one of the ways we are delivering.

“Under the former Labor Government, dental waiting lists spiralled out of control. The LNP has already delivered improvements and we will continue to improve healthcare for Queensland patients.

“Between February 2013 and February 2014 the total number of people in the Wide Bay on the dental waiting list fell from 12,252 to 5,895 – a 51 per cent reduction.

“In the same reporting period, the number of people waiting two years or more for dental treatment was slashed by 82 percent, falling from 9,291 to 1,612.

“Our Government is committed to delivering the best possible taxpayer-funded free healthcare to rural and regional Queensland – whether it’s dental, reopening birthing services or improving access to surgery.”

Member for Maryborough Anne Maddern said the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service issued 2,903 vouchers for dental treatment across the region and hoped to completely clear the long wait list by June 2014.

“We have seen a remarkable turnaround in dental waiting times during the past two years which is great news for patients,” Mrs Maddern said.

“The new dental chairs will further enhance the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services’ capacity to provide the services patients so desperately need.

“There are also plans for more dental chairs in Hervey Bay and Bundaberg which will help improve oral health services for the entire Wide Bay region.”

[ENDS] 7 March 2014

Media Contact: Clare Mildren 0417 255 284

Fast facts:

• Wide Bay’s dental capacity will increase from 9 to 15 in Maryborough, 6 to13 in Bundaberg, 8 to16 in Hervey Bay
• A travelling dental team will increase dental services in rural clinics by adding to the existing rural service based in Gayndah
• $2.3 million worth of long-wait dental work was targeted through the issue and claiming of 2,903 vouchers in the Wide Bay