According to a recent report, dental care for Knox has been facing huge cuts in funding that has been resulting in long term waiting by patients in need of dental treatment. It has been found that cuts in funding have led to shortage of dentists in Victoria and children are suffering the most.

It has been revealed in the report that almost a third of the total Victorian population is in need of the treatments and the shortage of doctors in the state has been causing a lot of people to suffer nearly for two and a half years.

According to the findings of the report, funding for care of Knox residents fell from $2.3 million to $2.2 million last year, which accounted for halt in after-hours appointments. Also, the cuts are further being anticipated to increase as it has been found that the funding in 2011-12 realized a shortfall of $100,000 even after a wait of 18 months.

However, it has been realized that the situation of waiting patients is far better than those in the years 2005 and 2010, who had to wait long for 27 months and 26 months respectively.

It is being said that seeing such a long term waiting list, average 17 months, a considerable amount of money was allocated to Knox in the year 2011 so as get more dental chairs. But, the funding was reallocated to other areas like Melton and Broad meadows later in the New Year, which caused further fall in funding and the Knox Community Health Centre now only has 10 chairs.

“Our concern is in the long term ... as our population ages, and more people are eligible for a healthcare card, there will be more demand for the public dental service”, said Karyn McPeake, Lilydale’s Ranges Community Health chief executive. Therefore, the Australian Dental Association has been urging the State Government to increase funds, says the report.