“It is disgraceful as this service is vital to the dental health of children and students in Collie.

“There is a Statewide lack of staff that is causing downgrades to dental services all over the electorate.

“Once you lose these services, even temporarily, it can be hard to get them back.

“Routine teeth checks can identify problems before they cause serious damage. Prevention is better than cure.

“The Liberals will focus on staff in country areas to get things going and will address staffing issues by looking at providing additional funds, better pay and try to get local people working.”

Mr Murray said the closure of Amaroo dental clinic was unfortunate, however it will not be shut forever as the dental therapist had taken personal leave.

“It is not ideal… if we could find a spare dental therapist we would bring them here,” Mr Murray said.

“The Labor Government has already gone over and above the ordinary pay rise to attract more people to the South West and there has been a substantial increase in numbers of those willing to work here.”

A dental therapist from the South West region, who did not want to be named, said the pay rise was a band-aid solution.

“They feel as though the problem is fixed because of a pay rise,” they said.

“There was no negotiation of the pay rise and this is not just about money – it is also about the conditions.

“We do not have a computer and have to use carbon paper.

“When a graduate comes in the first thing they ask is where the computer is.

“Both major political parties have failed us.”

Margaret Parr said the conditions of public dental health services were an embarrassment.

“At the Federal Election last year Kevin Rudd said every kid in school would have a computer, but what about our workers?” Ms Parr said.

“This is not just about the money… it is about dental health services supporting their workers.

“A graduate therapist who worked in Bridgetown asked to relocate when the Harvey Dental Surgery closed down and it is now reopened.

“She had to pay herself to relocate because she had requested the move and now pays higher rent.

“A dental therapist needs to feel valued in order to stay.”

Labor MLC for the South West region Adele Farina said the pay rise would be the first step to address the larger problem.

“The current situation is unacceptable and not enough has been done to date,” Ms Farina said.

“The commitment from Mick and I is to do what we can.”

Ms Farina and Mr Murray said they were committed to having a graduate therapist working at the Amaroo Dental Clinic by the start of next year, a commitment that has only been made to Amaroo and no other closed dental facility in the area.

“A graduate is better than nothing,” Mr Murray said.

“I have made a representation to Mr McGinty and will rally in Parliament on the wider matter.

“My kids used this service and I am not going to shut it down.

“No-one from the Opposition showed up today (Tuesday) to face this issue and you will hear me yelling from the rooftops at Parliament to get something done.”

Dr Thomas said his absence was due to a miscommunication over the nature of the rally.

“I was told it was a meeting between the Health Department and parents who did not want to make it a political thing,” Dr Thomas said.

“The Department and parents felt as though it would be inappropriate for me to be there.

“If I had known it was a rally I would have attended.

“I have been vocal on this issue for the past month and have been trying to get it to media attention and to address parents on this issue.”

Parent Teresa Wood said the closure of Amaroo Dental Surgery had hurt her.

“We did not ask for the closure at election time,” Ms Wood said.

“We are not just singling out Mick Murray here… we are just doing it because we need it open.”

Parent Kelly Marlow said the dental clinic had been in service for many years.

“I went there to get my teeth done,” Ms Marlowe said.

“Then all of a sudden they have closed it down.”