Dental therapists were travelling to Westport to offer their services, but couldn't keep up with the demand (file image). Photo: 123RF
A dental clinic in Westport says it's seeing more children in pain from rotting teeth.
The town currently has one dental surgeon for 10,000 people, and has been looking for another dentist for nearly a year.
Kawatiri Health Dental Clinic's Leanne Coleman told Morning Report the town desperately needed another dental therapist to work with the local schools, because its previous practitioner retired.
She said an increasing number of children were coming through the clinic, needing emergency treatment.
"By the time they come to us they've got toothache, or abscesses... they're in pain by the time they come to us.
"We're just seeing more and more that are coming through with toothache because they're not getting their regular yearly check-ups - they might get 18-month check-ups, or some are getting [checked every] two years.
"There's just such a shortage [of staff]... it's just very sad actually to see it become like this, because it was working really well."
She said dental therapists were travelling to Westport to offer their services, but couldn't keep up with the demand.
Coleman said recruiting specialists in rural areas was notoriously difficult, and speculated more dentists and therapists from overseas could help plug the gap.
She had not heard whether a comedic video to attract a dentist - launched last week by the economic development agency Development West Coast - had received any interest.
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