A University of Otago dental specialist says Maori patients from Invercargill are being forced to travel by the van-load to its training school for treatment.
Professor John Broughton says they can't access affordable oral healthcare in Invercargill.
Professor Broughton says the Dunedin-based university has been trying desperately over the past two years to establish an outreach clinic in Invercargill, but until now has not been able to get very far.
Rudi Johnson, head of Te Ao Marama New Zealand Maori Dental Association, says it agrees with Professor Broughton's comments and supports his efforts to set up the clinic.
Southland Hospital's dental public health specialist says the DHB will contact Professor Broughton to see what barriers still exist to accessing services in Invercargill.
Tim Mackay admits the district health board may not have done enough to help patients avoid travelling to Dunedin for treatment.
Dr Mackay says from mid-May, the Southern Primary Health Organisation will fund a limited number of basic courses of treatment for vulnerable adults in Invercargill, as well as the Health Ministry funding a limited series of complete treatments for people in rural Southland.
A spokesperson from Waikato-based health provider Raukura Hauora o Tainui says she has been at Otago University when many Maori from Southland have arrived seeking treatment.
Joyce Maipi says when people have to squash into a van to travel that far to get low-cost dental care it is a crisis - and the problem exists throughout New Zealand.
Ms Maipi says the Southland DHB needs to build a community dental service for Maori and low-income earners.