Mobile Dental Care program launched

The Minister for Health, Mr David Davis, today launched the Mobile Dental Care Program. The service - developed by the Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria, Dental Health Services Victoria and the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch - will help people living in remote areas access dental care. ADAVB President Dr Gordon Burt praised the partnership, saying that the results would more smiles. The program will begin in the Northern Mallee region, an area that has limited access to dental services and oral health promotion programs. The region was also selected because of its high rates of oral disease and generally low socio-economic status. Supported by local dental assistants and students from La Trobe University, two volunteer dentists will head to the Northern Mallee region each month. Travelling by 4WD, the dental team will visit local schools, events and community groups to carry out dental screenings and deliver oral health promotion. Patients will then be referred to existing clinics in the area where students will deliver treatment under the supervision of a qualified dental professional. Mr Davis says the program is a step in the right direction and will help reduce the health disparities that exist between rural populations and those in metropolitan areas. It is hoped that this pilot program will be expanded and rolled out to other remote communities in Victoria.

Testing the mobile van’s equipmentfrom left: Dr Martin Hall, of the North Richmond Clinic,  Health Minister Mr David Davis, DHSV CEO Dr Deb Cole and ADAVB President Dr Gordon Burt