Through a partnership with a specialist First Nations creative team, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) is proud to launch their new look mobile dental clinic.
The new mobile dental clinic livery features artwork from David Williams, a proud Wakka Wakka artist at Gilimbaa.
This is one of the ways the Flying Doctor is celebrating First Nations culture as part of its national Reconciliation Action Plan.
The artwork shares the story of RFDS in Queensland and features a narrative of heritage, culture, respect for country and connection.
Creative elements, such as the six ‘services’ in Sky Country pay tribute to not only traditional First Nations methods of navigating the stars, but how early pioneers of flight did so too.
RFDS Principal Dentist, Stevie Dilley said the Flying Doctor engaged Gilimbaa to create impactful artwork that would help start important reconciliation conversations across the Queensland communities that the RFDS Dental Service visits.
“The Flying Doctor recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art as an ancient visual gift of culture and learning that communicates history, story and language,” Dr Dilley said.
“As a regional, rural and remote provider, we are committed to embracing new ways to celebrate First Nations culture and walk together with Indigenous Australians.
“Education and conversation are at the heart of reconciliation so it’s important that we’re looking beyond just how we can support cultural conversations in conjunction with our efforts to improve health outcomes for First Nations people - who account for half of RFDS patients.”
The Flying Doctor’s most recent ‘Best for the Bush’ research report further highlighted the need for continuing to prioritise its Reconciliation Action Plan for the betterment of Indigenous Australians.
The report found that almost a third (32%) of those in remote and very remote regions identify as Indigenous and have a life expectancy that is 14 years shorter compared to non-Indigenous people in the same areas.
Furthermore, Indigenous people in remote and very remote areas have a life expectancy that is six years shorter than Indigenous people in major cities.
Watch a short video about our new dental clinic livery below.
RFDS (Queensland Section) Chief Executive Officer Meredith Staib said the Flying Doctor is committed to supporting both purposeful change and positive health outcomes for First Nations people.
“We continue to look at how we can provide culturally relevant frameworks across our Primary Health Care Clinics, Mental Health and Dental Health services for ongoing - and often preventative - healthcare that makes a real impact,” Ms Staib said.
“We also acknowledge that our role is more than directly related to our core health services but in how we collaborate alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to learn, celebrate and share in the history of our country,” she said.
The new artwork is displayed across the RFDS Dental Service, a state-of-the-art and purpose-built semi-trailer that travels across more than 17 Queensland communities each year.
The RFDS Dental team provides a number of free services such as check-ups, x-rays and extractions, treatment for existing conditions and gum disease, and referrals to specialists.
The RFDS acknowledges the support of QCoal Group, QCoal foundation and the Australian Government in establishing the RFDS Dental Service in 2013.
