A new mobile dental clinic will begin seeing patients this month, after it was launched on Tuesday 18 December 2018.
The clinic, the second of its kind in Canberra, will be based around local community services such as Companion House and Toora Women Inc. It will also service the Bimberi Youth Justice Centre.
“We know that good oral health is fundamental to an individual’s overall wellbeing, but it can also be difficult for some people in our community to access,” said Minister for Health and Wellbeing Meegan Fitzharris.
“A healthy mouth enables people to eat, speak and socialise without pain, discomfort or embarrassment.
“The establishment of this additional mobile dental clinic will extend dental care to people who need it but might currently have difficulty visiting a dental clinic at a Community Health Centre.”
The dental treatments available at the mobile clinic are the same as those available at regular community-based dentists, and include dental examinations and X-rays, restorative services such as fillings and extractions, and preventative services such as cleaning and oral hygiene education.
“This service will be run throughout Canberra and will improve the physical access to dental treatment facilities by visiting agencies that support Canberrans who might be experiencing mental health issues, domestic or family violence, alcohol and drug issues and homelessness as well as new refugees to Australia,” Minister Fitzharris said.
“I am sure this new clinic will have real benefits for those who visit it and it will improve oral health outcomes for vulnerable people in our community.”
Launched in 2014, the ACT’s first mobile dental clinic visits aged care facilities and has since provided treatment to over 2,000 Canberrans.
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