The Growing Waitlist Crisis in Paediatric Dentistry

Across Queensland, families are facing a hidden but urgent health issue: long waitlists for children’s dental care. In some regions, children wait up to 18 months for routine procedures such as fillings or extractions. What may begin as a small cavity often spirals into severe tooth decay, infections, and, in extreme cases, emergency hospital visits. This crisis not only impacts children’s health but also places a heavy burden on families and the public health system.

Why Are Children Waiting So Long?

The shortage of paediatric dental specialists in Queensland is a major driver of the problem. Public dental services are underfunded and overstretched, while private care often comes with costs that many families cannot afford. For families living in regional and remote areas, the challenge is even greater, with few clinics and long travel distances adding to delays.

For many parents, the hope is to find the best dentist in my area who can see their child quickly, but access is limited when demand far exceeds supply.

The Health Consequences of Long Delays

Tooth decay remains one of the most common chronic childhood conditions in Australia. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), more than 40% of children aged 5–10 have experienced cavities in their baby teeth. Left untreated, these issues can lead to:

• Severe dental pain that disrupts sleep and school attendance
• Infections that sometimes require hospitalisation
• Difficulty eating and poor nutrition
• Long-term oral health issues that continue into adulthood

In Queensland, hospitals have reported an increase in children requiring urgent dental surgery under general anaesthesia—procedures that could have been avoided with timely care.

The Human Side of the Crisis

For many families, the crisis isn’t just about health—it’s about the stress of watching a child suffer while waiting for treatment. Parents often feel helpless as they search online for the best dentist in my area, only to find long waitlists everywhere.

Some families resort to costly private clinics to bypass public queues, while others are left waiting months with no option but pain relief and temporary fixes.

Possible Solutions on the Horizon

Experts and advocacy groups suggest several strategies to address this growing crisis:

1. Increased Public Funding – Expanding the capacity of public dental services would reduce waitlists and help ensure children are treated before issues become severe.
2. School-Based Programs – Bringing preventive care directly into schools through fluoride varnish and screening programs could catch issues early.
3. Incentives for Dentists – Offering financial or career incentives for dentists to specialise in paediatrics or work in regional areas could improve access.
4. Integrating Dental into Medicare – Broader reform, such as including dental services under Medicare, would make care more affordable and accessible for all families.

Until systemic changes are made, parents will continue relying on searches for the best dentist in my area to find immediate help for their children.

The waitlist crisis in paediatric dentistry highlights a major gap in Australia’s healthcare system. Children should not have to wait over a year for essential treatment, nor should families be pushed into financial hardship to secure timely care. By investing in preventive care, increasing funding, and considering bold reforms, we can protect children from unnecessary pain and give them the healthy smiles they deserve.

The question is not whether reform is needed—it’s how quickly we can make it happen before more children slip through the cracks.