A Rotorua dentist says kids are suffering by waiting so long to be seen.

Te Whatu Ora figures show the average wait time for children 15 or under, who need surgery across the city is just over four months, with some waiting up to nine months.

Ranolf Dental Surgery owner Leroy Chan told Kate Hawkesby that's an unnecessary length of time.

He says it's affecting their health, their families and the whole of society.

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