Decaying Dental Service
New Zealand First family affairs spokesperson Barbara Stewart says that former dental nurse, Health Minister Annette
King should be ashamed of the new contract’s dentists are being asked to sign prohibiting criticism of the scheme and
muzzling them so they cannot speak to the media.
All children up to the age of 18 are entitled to free dental care provided through a scheme whereby dentists are paid by
a special dental benefit administered by the district health boards. Dentists, already reluctant to provide the service,
claim that the contract barely covers costs.
“The only thing the new contracts are going to do is drive dentist’s away from the dental scheme altogether,” said Mrs
Stewart.
“What has New Zealand come to if our medical professionals are asked to sign a contract banning them from voicing their
opinion?
“What has happened to every New Zealanders right to freedom of speech?
“Minister King would be better off providing the resources for adequate dental care of our children rather than stopping
dentists going to the media, or worse stop treating our children.
“The primary and teenage school years are a vital time in the care of children’s teeth if we want to avoid a toothless
adult society.
“The dental health service is literally decaying in front of us, it is time to put it right Minister,” said Mrs Stewart.