More than 1500 people, many of them children, remain on standby for vital dental surgery across the region as Illawarra waiting lists lengthen.
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According to the latest NSW Health figures, 364 children and 1212 adults in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) were on the treatment waiting list as at September 30.
The figures in both categories were a marked increase on June 2012, when 297 children and 1129 adults were on the list, but the health district maintains it is working to cater for increased demand.
Keira MP and opposition spokesman for the Illawarra Ryan Park said "massive" health budget cuts, to the tune of $3 billion, were to blame for so many residents waiting in pain and discomfort.
"This is a big issue ... because of the impact dental health has on people's overall health," Mr Park said.
"To see them [the figures] on the increase is definitely a concern."
Mr Park called on NSW Premier Mike Baird to explain how cutting funds would address the issue.
Assistant Minister for Health Jai Rowell said the Liberal/National government had boosted the health budget by 20 per cent since Labor was in office.
"The most recently reported figures indicate that across NSW 93.8 per cent of children and 83.8 per cent of adults waiting for general dental treatment were treated within clinically acceptable benchmark times," Mr Rowell said.
"With a new dedicated purpose-built dental clinic at Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital expected to be operating from next year we expect local patients to have further improved access to timely dental health care."
ISLHD director of integrated care, planning and performance Michelle Noort said patients requiring dental treatment were prioritised based on clinical urgency.
Across NSW, the total number of adults waiting fell significantly from 67,836 in June 2012 to 56,031 in September.
NSW Health said the statewide waitlist numbers for the period ending September also included children and adults waiting for specialist dental services.
