When you call to make an appointment for general dental care or denture care, you will usually be placed on a waiting list.
- The length of the waiting list will be different at each community dental clinic.
- When your name reaches the top of the list, you will be offered an appointment.
- Waiting lists do not apply for groups listed under priority access.
Average waiting times
Information on waiting times at particular locations around Victoria is available from the Department of Health Victorian Health Services Performance website 
.
Average length of wait for public dental care statewide
| Emergency care | 90.4% seen within 24 hours |
| General care | 16 months |
| Denture care | 18.9 months |
| Priority denture care | 2.7 months |
Source: DHSV 2012 Annual Report
Can I be on more than one waiting list?
- No, you can only be on the waiting list of one community dental clinic at a time.
- You can transfer to the waiting list of another clinic and there is no penalty for changing clinics.
- Your place on the waiting list you transferred to will show the date that you were placed on the original waiting list.
I need dentures. Will I be on the waiting list for general or denture care?
- If you have no natural teeth, you will be added to the denture waiting list.
- If you have natural teeth, you need to have general dental care first. You will be placed on the general waiting list and once you have completed general care, you will be placed on the denture waiting list. The date listed on the denture waiting list will be the original date when you were placed on the general waiting list.
Priority access
The following groups have priority access to care:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (See more information about dental services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
- Children (0-12 years) and young people (see information above)
- Homeless people and people at risk of homelessness
- Pregnant women
- Refugees and asylum seekers
- Registered clients of mental health and disability services, supported by a letter of recommendation from their case manager or staff of special developmental schools
- If you meet any of the above criteria, tell the receptionist when you telephone to make an appointment that you may be eligible for ‘priority access’.
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