Nearly 5000 Kiwi children waiting in pain

Dental Tribune International

Fri. 19. December 2025

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WELLINGTON, New Zealand: New Zealand’s public oral health system is facing growing pressure as increasing numbers of children wait extended periods for hospital-based dental care. Long delays for treatment are leaving many young patients in avoidable pain and distress, raising renewed concerns about workforce capacity, access to prevention and the sustainability of the country’s child dental services.

The scale of the problem is stark. As recently discussed in the Radio New Zealand show Nine to Noon, Health NZ data shows that, as of September, 4,866 children and young people are waiting for dental surgery, typically for the extraction of teeth with severe caries. This represents an increase of around 900 cases since 2023, highlighting a backlog that continues to grow rather than stabilise or diminish. Many of those affected are very young children who cannot be treated safely in community clinics and instead require hospital settings.

Workforce shortages sit at the centre of the crisis. A lack of dental and medical staff trained to deliver paediatric care under general anaesthetic has significantly reduced surgical capacity. Pandemic-related disruptions, staff burnout and retirements have further reduced service capacity, while demand has steadily increased. As a result, some children are waiting months for procedures, often relying on temporary pain management rather than definitive treatment.

The situation also reflects deeper structural issues in prevention and access. Although New Zealand provides free basic dental care for children, uneven access to appointments, missed recalls and staffing gaps mean caries is frequently detected late. High sugar consumption, socioeconomic disadvantages and variable exposure to fluoridation continue to drive disease, particularly among Māori and Pasifika children, who remain disproportionately affected.

Previous warnings from dental experts have described the problem as a childhood oral health crisis rather than a short-term backlog. Without sustained investment in prevention, workforce development and hospital dental capacity, the number of children enduring pain while awaiting surgery is unlikely to fall, placing further strain on families and the wider health system.