Locals have to wait longer for dental treatment

Local dentists are seeing a change in how people approach dental care.

Dental Care dentist Andrew Meffan says that prior to the first lockdown, about a third of Kiwis were proactive about their dental care. The rest were largely reactive, attending when they needed something fixed.

“Over a half only got stuff done when they felt the need and with varying levels of urgency,” Andrew says. “Some got nothing done except the odd extraction.”

Andrew says lockdown highlighted the downside of being reactive, with people stuck with painful and infected teeth and not able to get treatment for the duration of lockdown. He says people are now  realising the value in being more proactive.

“Just like you stock your cupboards, you can plan to get your teeth done.”

He says when quick appointments were always available, there was no urgency. Now, demand has increased, which he sees as a good thing if it means people are choosing regular dental check-ups.

One Dental practice manager Mandie Ketcher says people are calling when they feel a ‘slight niggle’ where in the past they often waited.

“It’s good because a little niggle might just need a little treatment, while if it is left it can mean an extraction,” Mandie says.

Both practices have seen growing waiting lists over the past year.

Dental Care dentist Andrew Meffan says that the backlog from lockdown is just one cause.

“The backlog has been slow to clear, but there are other factors.”

He says some dental practices employ young dentists from overseas, who work here for a time before returning to their home country.

“It’s not so easy to replace them at the moment,” says Andrew. “Although it’s not impossible.”

Mandie says the uncertainty around Covid-19 is seeing some dentists from overseas moving home to be with family.

Andrew says he doesn’t see a long-term shortage of dentists as there are more going through dental school here in New Zealand, and Australia is training well beyond the real need. Junior dentists are also less likely to leave to do their OE because of current travel restrictions.

In the meantime, many practices keep emergency appointments each day, although Mandie says they fill up quickly.