The long waiting list for public dental services means Hill Top resident Sid Jeffery won’t be enjoying Christmas dinner this year.

Mr Jeffery broke his denture in three places last week, but has been told by Sydney South West Area Health Service that December 20 was the earliest he could hope for a replacement set.

“The lady from the 1300 number said that she had checked all clinics for a possible appointment, and December 20 was the earliest I could get in,” Mr Jeffery said.

“I am left with only my bottom teeth and only a few of my top teeth. I can only eat mashed food until I get a new set of dentures.

“It may be the time of year when there might be a longer waiting list, but the fact I had to wait nearly a month for a new set of dentures is ridiculous.”

Mr Jeffery visited member for Goulburn Pru Goward’s office to raise his concern and dissatisfaction, and Ms Goward said Mr Jeffery’s case was another example of the lack of resources for the NSW Area Health Service.

“I have written to the Health Minister Reba Meagher requesting that Mr Jeffery’s appointment be made earlier which might give enough time for his dentures to be fixed and returned to him before Christmas.” Ms Goward said.

“Mr Jeffery’s is not only upset about having to live without his top teeth he is also worried about his diet. Mr Jeffery’s has a stomach ulcer that he is concerned will recur unless he follows a strict diet.

Without a full set of dentures he cannot follow this diet,” Ms Goward said.

“Mr Jeffery’s will be left to eat mashed food for months and this is simply not an acceptable living standard for any New South Wales resident.”

Ms Goward said that after 12 years of NSW Labor, the public dental waiting list has blown out by 215,000 while NSW spends the least amount of funding on dental services per head of eligible population of all states and territories.