Hawke's Bay dental recalls lower than rest of NZ

The Community Oral Health Service is failing our kids says President of the Dental Association Bill O'Connor. Photo / Supplied

While the president of the New Zealand Dentist Association called out the Government to improve dental service, Hawke's Bay's recall figures are some of the lowest in the country.

NZDA president Dr Bill O'Connor said the Community Oral Health Service was failing New Zealand kids, highlighting figures showing 96,000 children nationwide were overdue for their recalls with a dental therapist.

Hawke's Bay's 2016 figures showed overdue recalls in the region were at only 2.8 per cent.

Although the numbers were low, a Hawke's Bay oral health therapist who wished to remain anonymous said it was a problem right through the spectrum.

"It can be really good to really awful."

"I've seen 9-year-olds needing fillings in almost every tooth, preschoolers who need numerous teeth removed and several filled which get referred for general anaesthetic, teeth broken to the gums from decay.

"Diet plays a huge role in tooth decay and poor oral hygiene. Kids don't have the dexterity to brush until 8 years old, so they should be assisted until then."

Neighbouring Tairawhiti DHB had a much higher overdue recall rate, but all children had been enrolled while Hawke's Bay DHB had enrolled 89 per cent of children.

An NZDA spokesperson said the system could not keep up on recall, due to lack of resources.

"Amongst 5-year-old children in the Tairawhiti DHB, nearly 60 per cent enter school with untreated dental decay having been enrolled for 3-5 years in the system.

"In Hawke's Bay, with a lower enrolment rate, nearly 38 per cent get to school age with untreated dental decay."

O'Connor believed that the Community Oral Health Service was 'failing the children of New Zealand.'

He spoke at a conference to call on the Government to improve school dental services.

"Today 120 young kiwi kids will have teeth extracted. Why have they not been treated before they got to this point?"

Despite his frustration, O'Connor said he was not pointing the finger at dental therapists.

"None of what I have outlined is a negative comment regarding these dental therapists - they have a hard job, they are our colleagues. We all know how hard their job is."

O'Connor said it was time for the Government to act.

"I call on the Minister of Health to make this a priority of this Government and to act now to address this appalling situation. It's time to look after our kids."