Oral Health Services data has revealed that the average wait time for general dental work was 31.7 months with 8939 people on the waiting list.

For prosthetics, including dentures, the wait was 7.8 months with 700 people in line.

Emergency rooms have absorbed some of the patients, with 745 people presenting for oral health services from January to August.

Oral Health Services can be accessed by adults with health care cards or pensioner concession cards.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services website, general treatment received through Oral Health Services Tasmania carries a $44 price tag, while a full set of dentures will cost $387. Children’s services are bulk-billed.

Northern Suburbs Community Centre manager Denise Delphin was unsurprised by the data and said it echoed what she heard from the community.

There were many challenges in accessing dental care including fear, extensive wait times and cost, she said.

‘‘We’re really noticing with our line of work that our community is really struggling with adequate oral health care,’’ Ms Delphin said.

‘‘We’re hearing the need for the community to have an outreach dental service.’’

A Tasmanian Health Service spokeswoman said there had been a significant decrease in the number of adults waiting for general care and dentures thanks to funding from the Australian government.

She said the average wait times should be treated with caution as all urgent patients were prioritised and seen in a timeframe reflecting their need.

‘‘In 2014-15, there were 32 670 such episodes of urgent adult care provided to people that weren’t referred via a waiting list,’’ she said.

‘‘In addition to this, more than 66,000 dental appointments were provided to children in Tasmania in 2014-15.’’

Australian Dental Association Tasmanian Branch spokesman Leonard Crocombe said the organisation would be concerned by future Commonwealth cuts.

‘‘Oral Health Services Tasmania does a very good job providing dental care with the resources with which they are provided,’’ he said.