By Pete McIntyre / Beach Radio Vernon

NDP promises more access to dental surgeries

Mar 19, 2018 | 1:55 PM

VICTORIA — The BC government is providing more access to dental surgeries for patients that require general anesthetic for their procedures.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says 900 more surgeries will be performed over the coming year, for a total of 7,100.

Dix says the extra surgeries will support children and adults who need dental procedures due to developmental disabilities or complex medical conditions.

He says the result will be a substantial reduction in wait times for people currently suffering in pain.

“We are answering a call from dentists, patients and parents to fix a growing waitlist and make sure that vulnerable people – who are not safely able to get dental care without anesthesia – have more timely access to dental treatment when they need it,” said Dix. “I have heard from parents whose sons and daughters are suffering for long periods in pain, in some cases without any understanding of what is happening to them. This is something we need to address, and that is why we are taking action today.”

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In 2016-17 17.3% of people waited more than 26 weeks for their dental surgery. That number already has decreased to 15% this year. The additional surgeries to take place this year will significantly improve access and the time people wait.

Dental care ranges from preventive care to fillings, root canals, tooth extractions and dental prosthetics, such as crowns or dentures. These are most often provided in dental offices under local anesthesia or sedation. For some patients, including those with developmental disabilities, general anesthesia is required to ensure the patient’s safety and comfort during their dental care, even for scaling and polishing of teeth.

Dental surgery facts

By the end of the fiscal year 2017-18, it is expected that 6,200 dental treatments and surgeries will have been performed in hospitals. By the end of the fiscal year 2018-19, it is expected that 7,100 surgeries and treatments will be performed and will continue to be performed annually.

Of the cases waiting for dental surgery, 15% wait longer than 26 weeks:

* Fraser Health: 14.8% of cases wait longer than 26 weeks

* Interior Health: 10.9% of cases wait longer than 26 weeks

* Island Health: 20.1% of cases wait longer than 26 weeks

* Northern Health: 5.2% of cases wait longer than 26 weeks

* Vancouver Coastal Health: 9.1% of cases wait longer than 26 weeks

* Provincial Health Services Authority: 14.2% of cases wait longer than 26 weeks