Dental Health Service In Decay

New Zealand First family affairs spokesperson Barbara Stewart says, former dental nurse, Health Minister Annette King should be ashamed at the lack of funding given to children’s dental care.

“The dental health service is literally decaying,” says Mrs Stewart.

“Children considered to have ‘good teeth’ are waiting for up to two years to see a dental nurse and in some areas they receive no care at all.

“This is appalling. Primary and teenage school years are a vital time in the care of children’s teeth if we want to avoid a toothless adult society.

“All children should have regular access to a dental health service regardless of the condition of their teeth. The present system provides neither guaranteed access nor enough dental nurses.

“It’s about time Mrs King started putting money back into the mouths of our children,” said Mrs Stewart.

New Zealand First’s policy would ensure all pre-school and primary school children would receive regular dental care as well as providing a national strategy that includes a shake-up of state funding to ensure teenagers dental needs are met.

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