Analysis of public dental service waiting lists in Queensland

Abstract

Information on public dental service waiting lists is available as part of the Queensland Government open data policy. Data were summarised across the care categories and health districts to present the total number and percentage of people waiting for care and who have waited beyond the desirable period. As of 31 December 2012 there were 130546 people on the dental waiting list; of these 85.8%, 8.5% and 2.2% were waiting for general care desirable within 24, 12 and 3 months, respectively. Across all care categories, almost 56% of those on the waiting list were beyond the desirable waiting period. The average number of people on the waiting list and the average number waiting beyond the desirable time differ substantially per clinic by district. Ongoing analysis of the Queensland public dental service waiting list database will determine the impact on patient waiting times of Federal Government initiatives announced in 2012 to treat an estimated 400000 patients on waiting lists nationwide over the next 3 years and to expand services to assist low-income adults to receive dental services.