Toddler faces long wait to
have rotten teeth removed
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Bob's Note: If this situation had happened in America the dentists would be sued. This is not the case in socialized medical systems like those in New Zealand where this boy and his family suffers but the same thing happens commonly in England and Canada. In all cases government interference in the free market delivery of medical care results in scarcity, rationing, long waits for basic care, and finally poor medical care throughout the country. Don't let it happen here.
24 January 2005The family of a toddler with eight rotting teeth has been told he must wait up to five months for an operation to have them removed under a general anaesthetic.
Bailey Sargison, two, of Coalgate, 13km west of Darfield, had four teeth removed when he was 18 months old and now faces a second operation to extract eight more.
Mother Alannah May said her youngest son was having difficulty eating and sleeping and needed frequent doses of paracetamol to relieve pain.
A Darfield dentist, who saw Bailey in November, said he was clearly "in pain" and faxed an urgent referral to the hospital.
Bailey was seen by a specialist the next month who confirmed he would need eight teeth removed under general anaesthesia.
Children under five cannot safely be given the sedation or pain relief typically offered to adults during dental work.
The operation may not be until May. Christchurch hospital has a six-month waiting list - or 240 children aged 12 and under - waiting for dental treatment under a general anaesthetic.
The family has contacted two private dentists and offered to pay for Bailey's treatment but were refused. A paediatric anaesthetist was needed and anaesthetists were in short supply nationwide.
"I'm just so frustrated," Ms May said.
"I can't even pay for it."
Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) has urged the family to bring Bailey in for a reassessment.
Medical and surgical services general manager Shelly Park said Bailey may be treated more quickly if pain had become an issue.
"When he was seen on December 10 there was no mention at all of waking in the night and having pain."
But Shelly Park said Bailey would have to be reassessed before his case could be given higher priority.
The parents, who juggle three jobs with the care of their three young children, did not want to make the 120km round trip unless it was for treatment.
"They've seen Bailey, they know how bad he is, they know pain is involved," Ms May said.
A Health Ministry report said long waits for dental treatment under general anaesthesia were typical and children were "likely to suffer prolonged periods of pain and infection".
