NSW Health is improving access to public dental services by streamlining processes, including combining the current assessment and treatment waiting lists into a single waiting list. As a result, the way the NSW public dental service data is reported will change from the December 2024 quarter. Due to these changes, the waiting list data will not be comparable to previous years. Historical data will continue to be available.
NSW Health provides access to public dental care for children under 18 years of age with a Medicare card, and adults who have or are listed as dependent on an Australian Government Health Care Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card, or Pensioner Concession Card.
Patients accessing the public dental system receive care from public dental clinics or participating private dental clinics. Patients may receive a voucher from a public dental clinic to receive specific treatment from participating private dental clinics offering treatment described by the NSW Health Oral Health Fee for Service Scheme.
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Source: NSW Health Local Health District and Specialty Networks.
Source: NSW Health Local Health Districts and Specialty NetworksFootnote: Dental Weighted Activity Units (DWAUs) are based on the complexity of care provided, excluding cancelled vouchers. The dotted lines indicate that some vouchers have not yet been finalised. Small variations may occur on finalisation. Data for Hunter New England Local Health District (LHD) is complete up to 26 May 2026 and data for Justice Health is complete up to 24 March 2026. Hunter New England LHD and Justice Health transitioned to a new statewide electronic record management system (the Single Digital Patient Record) and their recent data are not yet available for this report.
NSW Health aims to see all patients within the recommended maximum waiting time for certain types of dental care. Patients are prioritised through a triage process based on how urgently they need dental care. People with more urgent dental issues receive treatment more quickly.
NSW Health has improved access to public dental services by streamlining processes, including combining the current assessment and treatment waiting lists. This means patients can be seen for urgent dental treatment while they wait for routine care. As a result of this streamlined process, the way the NSW public dental service data is reported changed on 28 October 2024. Due to these changes, the waiting list data from the December 2024 to June 2026 quarters are not comparable to previous quarters.
For more information about recommended maximum waiting times and information on how patients are prioritised to receive care under the new waiting list policy, please refer to the Oral Health Access Policy Directive.
On 30 June 2026, 96% of people on the waitlist had been waiting less than the recommended maximum waiting time, the same percentage as on 30 June 2025.
Source: NSW Health Local Health District and Specialty Networks
Source: NSW Health Local Health Districts and Specialty NetworksFootnote: Patients may be waiting for urgent dental treatment, routine care or both. Waiting list data for periods prior to 28 October 2024 is not comparable to data from later periods. Data for Hunter New England Local Health District (LHD) is complete up to 26 May 2026 and data for Justice Health is complete up to 24 March 2026. Hunter New England LHD and Justice Health transitioned to a new statewide electronic record management system (the Single Digital Patient Record) and their recent data are not yet available for this report.
On 30 June 2026, the proportion of people waiting for dental care for less than the recommended maximum waiting time ranged from 49% in Justice Health to 100% in Sydney, Illawarra Shoalhaven, Western Sydney, Nepean Blue Mountains, Northern Sydney, Central Coast, Mid North Coast, Southern NSW, Murrumbidgee, Western NSW and Far West LHDs
Source: NSW Health Local Health Districts and Specialty NetworksNotes: Figures represent the local health district where service was provided. Patients waiting for specialist dental services are not included.* Data for Hunter New England Local Health District (LHD) is complete up to 26 May 2026 and data for Justice Health is complete up to 24 March 2026. Hunter New England LHD and Justice Health transitioned to a new statewide electronic record management system (the Single Digital Patient Record) and their recent data are not yet available for this report.