An Auckland parent says it was "beyond frustrating" trying for five months to get her preschooler a free dental appointment.
The number of children who have missed their free routine dental check-ups in Auckland due to COVID-19 restrictions has hit a record high and health authorities warn it will take over a year to catch up.
Parent Katrina said her local community dental clinic in west Auckland is still temporarily closed.
"It's always just been a chase, I have to call them multiple times," she said.
"I'd call and say we haven't been seen for a year, we're due for our check-up and would get told they're only prioritising at-risk children so we're not seeing any others."
Her three-year-old was due for for a check-up in December and she said it took months of persistent calling to secure an appointment at another clinic.
"I just want that annual check, so it's frustrating to have the situation where you're ringing and ringing and asking for an appointment but they're just not available."
She had looked into paying for a private dentist and would consider that in the future.
The Auckland Regional Dental Service (ARDS) said it is prioritising dental appointments for children with pain, those who have been assessed for treatment and those waiting the longest.
It said it has a vacancy rate of 14 percent for therapists and dental assistants, and 19 percent for dentists.
ARDS conducts an annual recruitment drive to attract graduates but he said this year the graduate pool is very small.
The service's director, Tim Wood, said the key priority has been to get clinics open again after COVID-19 restrictions and extend open hours where possible.
"We're asking staff to do the additional clinics as part of overtime. We have to balance that out with staff, we don't want to burn them out and then have problems further down the track. We have to manage the workforce appropriately around this," he said.
"It is sometimes difficult for the public service to retain the staff and many tend to, after a year or two, go to private practice because the working conditions can be better."
The service provides free community dental care for children and adolescents in the greater Auckland area, up to 12 or 13 years of age.
RNZ
