The WA Liberals have promised $19 million to boost dental care for children across regional WA if they win government at the March State election.

Liberal leader Libby Mettam visited Kalgoorlie-Boulder on Wednesday and pledged five mobile dental units for services in the Goldfields, Mid-West, Pilbara and other remote and at-risk communities.

Ms Mettam claimed WA Labor had neglected the health needs of regional residents, and said one of the major casualties was dental care for children.

She said access to dental treatment at a young age helped avoid more serious treatment in the future.

“We’re seeing rising rates of tooth decay, extended waiting lists, and very poor outcomes which is not only impacting children in terms of more intensive treatment required down the track, but also . . . school, work, pain and overall oral health,” she said.

“The Cook Labor Government (is) failing Western Australians during the largest boom the State has seen, in health and dental care for children.”

Goldfields Family Dental co-owner Alex Naylor said the clinic had seen a significant increase in dental emergencies, especially among children in the region.

“I’ve been out here for 15 years and I’ve never seen anything like it and I do believe that it’s attributed by the lack of government dental therapy centres in the area,” she said.

“We are removing sets of teeth on children . . . this does not need to happen.”

Ms Mettam proposed if public services were unavailable, a Liberal government would enter into partnerships with local private dental providers to offer these services.

“This is about meeting regional communities, especially remote communities with at-risk patients, where they’re at,” she said.

“What could be a simple and timely procedure can be . . . something even life-threatening.

“What we are talking about is utilising the resources that we have on the ground, providing a free and timely public service for children across regional WA.”

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