As the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS) Dental Service celebrates 13 years of delivering vital oral health care across the state, the team are highlighting the importance of motivating teens to stay on top of their dental check-ups.
In the last financial year, adolescents accounted for just 10 percent of the dental team’s patients, with 40 percent of patients aged between 21-50 years.
RFDS Principal Dentist George Chen said adolescence is a critical period for dental health, with 12-year-old molars being the final adult teeth to emerge.
“We have found that teenagers are at a higher risk of developing cavities and tooth decay due to their busy schedules, dietary choices and inconsistent brushing habits,” George said.
“We often see children visit the dentist regularly when they’re young, but then stop coming once they leave school, sometimes not returning until adulthood.”
George said untreated dental issues like holes or infections can worsen over time and can become more complex and costly to manage down the track.
To ensure everyone has access to ongoing oral health care, the RFDS dental team provides more than 2,300 dental consultations across more than 16 regional, rural and remote Queensland communities each year.
RFDS dentists and dental assistants operate from the mobile dental unit - a purpose-built semi-trailer that functions as a fully equipped dental surgery, complete with an OPG machine.
Services include dental examinations, X-rays, treatment for acute or existing conditions and gum disease treatment, providing an effective, flexible and cost-efficient solution to the lack of local dental services in many parts of the state.
The team also offers referrals to specialist dental services like orthodontists for patients who need braces or a mouthguard fitted for sport.
While access to orthodontic services remains a challenge in many parts of the state, George said the RFDS Dental Service continues to look for ways to strengthen and expand its offering.
“Demand for our RFDS Dental Service spans further than our existing mobile clinic routes,” George said.
“We have identified the need for our dental services in communities from Cape York to the Gulf of Carpentaria, and expanded services in south-west Queensland.
“Funding for a new mobile dental clinic would more than double the number of patients we treat, benefiting our patients and the health care system.”
Beyond dental care, the RFDS dental team visits local primary schools to provide free oral health education and resources.
“Education is just as important as treatment,” George said.
“We are really trying to encourage students to understand why oral health matters and make sure they feel comfortable visiting the mobile dental unit when it’s in town.
“Generally, when we book dental appointments, we try to encourage the whole family to come so that everyone stays on top of their oral health.”
The RFDS acknowledges the ongoing support of the QCoal Group, QCoal Foundation and the Australian Government in establishing and sustaining the RFDS Dental Service since 2013.
