Getting an appointment for a painful toothache or replacing a broken filling is a pretty easy fix if you live in a major population centre where a dentist appointment is just a phone call away.
If you’re in the bush however, things get harder; much harder.
The RFDS (Queensland Section), with the generous support of founding donor QCoal Foundation, began tackling the dental service gap in rural and remote areas in 2013 with the launch of its mobile RFDS Dental Service. Today, it’s still working hard to provide dental treatments where none exist.
With Dental Health Week just wrapping up, RFDS Principal Dental Adviser Stevie Dilley reflected on the impact the free-service continues to have on the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders.
“Everyone should have access to high quality oral healthcare, regardless of where they live,” Dr Dilley said.
“Oral health affects every part of daily life.
“When people can eat comfortably and live free from dental pain, it improves their overall wellbeing and ability to participate fully in their community.
“Mobile dentistry enables us to deliver that care directly to people who might otherwise go without, which is what makes this work so meaningful and rewarding.”
The RFDS Dental Service is a fully-equipped mobile dental surgery featuring state-of-the-art equipment, including an Orthopantomogram (OPG) machine for full mouth radiographs.
Last financial year it treated 2,514 patients in a range of ways including general dental treatments, check-ups, fillings, extractions and preventative care.
The service traveled to 17 locations through the year including Tara in the South West, Camooweal in the North West, Collinsville in the North and Sapphire in Central Queensland.
QCoal Foundation CEO Sylvia Bhatia said the RFDS Dental Service continued to provide a much-needed service to Queensland communities.
“The data outlines this significant contribution, with more than $20 million dollars of patient services delivered,” Sylvia said.
“However, we know from community members that addressing oral health challenges also leads to more positive social outcomes.
“We are very proud to be a Founding Partner of the service and proud of the difference it makes to the lives of Queenslanders.”
Dr Dilley said there’s never been a better time to take up the challenge and become a remote dentist working for an organisation like the RFDS.
“If you’re passionate about making a difference to people’s health and improving access to care, working with the RFDS Dental Service can be incredibly rewarding.
“You have the opportunity to support communities that may otherwise struggle to access dental services, all while experiencing some of the most beautiful parts of Queensland.”
The RFDS Dental Service will be in Richmond from 10 – 19 August.
