FAMILIES in rural and regional Victoria are reportedly starting to become stranded or forced to travel three to six hours to reach their nearest available on-call dentistry.
State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland is calling for the creation of a coordinated regional on-call emergency dentist network to provide after-hours coverage across regional communities.
She spoke to a family with an eight-year-old daughter who broke her tooth and tried to contact dentists in the area for three hours straight.
But not a single service in the region could provide immediate care including Nurse-on-Call who ended up directing them to clinics within metropolitan Melbourne.
The family had to travel a six hour round trip to Glen Waverley and back on a Sunday so their daughter could receive immediate treatment.
Ms Cleeland said regional families deserved a healthcare system that responded when it mattered most.
“Regional families pay taxes like everyone else and deserve access to emergency healthcare when they need it,” she said.
State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes responded to these comments adding: “We know how frustrating waiting for dental care can be, that’s why the Victorian Government is investing $239 million in public dental services in 2026/27, helping more than 332,000 eligible Victorians access dental care.”
She mentioned the investment they also have in Smile Squad where “no matter where you live, you can get the dental care you need.”
“We won’t be taking lectures from the Liberal Nationals when it comes to health. Their record is one of cuts, closures and privatisation,” Ms Symes said.
