Oral health in rural Australia

Dental Tribune International

Fri. 20. September 2019

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: In 2011, the Mars Wrigley Foundation, together with the Australian Dental Health Foundation (ADHF), implemented a programme focused on providing dental care to high-risk populations throughout Australia. The programme calls on dentists, dental students and cross-functional teams of dental professionals to develop community oral health initiatives. The winning teams each receive a grant to then implement their plan. In 2019, a total of US$82,000 was awarded for 13 different initiatives.

In nine years, more than half a million dollars in grant funding has been awarded to volunteer dentists and dental students for them to provide free treatments and robust oral health education to patients in some of Australia’s most remote and disadvantaged communities. Recent reports indicate that the oral health of inhabitants in remote areas is negatively impacted by aspects such as difficulty of access, poor drinking water and lower health literacy. This programme could be a crucial element in turning the situation around.

“Over the past nine years, the community service grants programme has helped hard-working volunteers carry out important work that provides oral care services and dental education to disadvantaged communities across Australia,” said Chloe Dougherty, on behalf of Wrigley’s EXTRA Oral Healthcare Program.

This year, the grants were spread out quite evenly, every state receiving at least one, and South Australia and New South Wales receiving three and five, respectively. “The ADHF applauds 2019’s successful grantees. These grants will go to organisations providing oral care and education at a grassroots level and the ADHF is proud of our members working to deliver services that are vital to ensuring equity in access to oral healthcare services and education across Australia,” noted David Owen, Chairman of the Advisory Board for the ADHF.

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