SIMPLIFIED STATEMENT   

SA Dental response to community query:
It is our understanding that Umoona Dental Clinic provides dental care only to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only.
However, you should discuss this with Umoona Health Service directly as we do not determine eligibility criteria for this service and can’t comment or speak on behalf of the organisation.

• The private dentist who has been providing services to Coober Pedy since 2018 will no longer do so
  
  * SA Dental is now actively exploring options for future dental service delivery in the town and hopes to find a provider who can treat all patients regardless of eligibility status
  
• In the meantime, SA Dental Port Augusta and SA Dental Whyalla staff can assist SA Dental eligible client enquiries and the triaging of urgent and emergency cases. SA Dental may be able to provide care to non-eligible clients during a dental emergency if there are no alternative dental services available
  
• SA Dental provides dental care for all South Australian children and eligible adults who hold a health care card or pensioner card
  
• The Royal Flying Dental Service provides Commonwealth-funded dental care in remote areas where no other dental services are available.

WHY COOBER PEDY URGENTLY NEEDS A DENTAL SERVICE – FACTS & CONSEQUENCES 

 As a long term Coober Pedy resident, I and others find this concerning, and it’s not good enough.

Population: Coober Pedy has approximately 1,600 residents, including an estimated 230 children aged 0 -17 (2021 Census). 

Geographical isolation: Without a local dental service, residents may need to travel 900 km return to Roxby Downs or up to 1,100 km return to access dental treatment. 

High fuel costs: With diesel at $3.26/L and unleaded petrol at $2.69/L, travelling for dental treatment costs approximately (assuming 10 L/100 km fuel consumption): 900 km return: $242 petrol or $293 diesel. 1,100 km return: $296 petrol or $359 diesel. These costs exclude accommodation, meals, vehicle maintenance and lost wages.

Financial hardship: Pensioners, low-income households and working parents face significant financial pressure. Families requiring multiple dental appointments may incur repeated travel expenses, making treatment unaffordable. 

Children’s dental care: Approximately 230 children live in Coober Pedy. Eligible children can access up to $1,158 in Medicare dental benefits over two years, but without a local dentist, geographical and financial barriers may prevent them from using these benefits. 

Adverse health consequences: Delayed dental treatment increases the risk of untreated decay, infections, chronic pain, tooth loss and potentially avoidable hospital presentations. 

Impact on children: Poor oral health can affect eating, sleeping, concentration, school attendance and overall development. 

Impact on elderly residents: Limited dental access can contribute to difficulties eating, poor nutrition, worsening oral health and reduced quality of life. 

Pressure on local healthcare: Residents experiencing dental pain or infections may seek assistance at the local hospital, placing additional pressure on existing health services without resolving the underlying dental problem. 

Economic contribution: Coober Pedy generated approximately $100.77 million in economic value in 2019, through mining, tourism and other industries. 

Healthcare inequality: Residents face substantially greater costs and travel distances to access basic dental care compared with people living in metropolitan South Australia.

The central issue: Residents of Coober Pedy should not have to travel 900 -1,100 km and spend up to $359 in fuel alone to access essential dental treatment. 

The absence of local dental services creates preventable health risks, financial hardship and barriers to healthcare, particularly for children, pensioners, low-income families and vulnerable residents.

There are definitely many questions that need to be asked and we need to continue advocating for our town

Ratepayer/Taxpayer