Editorial: Getting to the root of dental care

Many people cannot justify the cost of dental care.

When more than 300 people created a queue in Wairoa last week in the pursuit of free dental treatment, it said a lot more than simply being able to get something for nothing.

The figures showed that several hundred people were concerned about the state of their teeth - but equally showed that being able to do something about them earlier was simply financially unattainable.

Dental treatment is complex, and skilled, so therefore is not something which can be provided without cost - at times significant cost.

And therein lies the issue, as it also lies in other areas of health care: The cost.

For many people treatment is simply unattainable.

The turn-out in Wairoa echoed a large turn-out at a free Dental Community Care Day held in Napier last month.

The free treatment programme was put together by the Ngati Pahauwera Development Trust, various sponsors and volunteer dentists and hygienists.

Collectively, the work carried out would have carried a bill of many, many thousands of dollars - money many people cannot either find or justify to use in getting teeth looked at.

Those who drove this remarkable community campaign described the situation as either getting an extraction or "putting food on the table".

It was a situation they said needed to be looked at, and they have a good point.

There are understanding dentists who will allow a pay-it-off approach but there should be room here for some form of assistance or subsidy and support based on people's circumstances.

The Government has pulled the pin on the absurd money spent on the America's Cup ... so how about using that?