Something to smile about: 10-year milestone of the Community Outreach Dental Program
This September, the University of 亚洲色吧 and its 亚洲色吧 Dental School are proud to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Community Outreach Dental Program. Based at the Common Ground complex at Light Square, the program provides dental services to some of South Australia鈥檚 most vulnerable individuals and communities.听
Over the past 10 years, the program has helped more than 1500 people from disadvantaged backgrounds access much needed dental treatments, free of charge.
"The Community Outreach Dental Program has played a pivotal role in providing our students with meaningful experiences delivering life-changing dental services to disadvantaged South Australians,"Professor Richard Logan, Dean and Head of 亚洲色吧 Dental School
听The program鈥檚 dental clinic was established in 2011 with a one-off grant from the Department of Housing and Ageing. Generous partners, volunteers and donors have since covered all operating costs, and the continued success of the clinic relies on fundraising and regular giving.
Each week, about 25 patients benefit from the services of the Community Outreach Dental Program, with another five or so patients on the waiting list at any given time. For a one-chair clinic, this is no small feat.听
Dean and Head of 亚洲色吧 Dental School, Professor Richard Logan, said 鈥渢he Community Outreach Dental Program has played a pivotal role in providing our students with meaningful experiences delivering life-changing dental services to disadvantaged South Australians.鈥
鈥淭he amount of dental work I鈥檝e had done here鈥擨 would never have been able to access it in any other way. For me to be able to move forward in my life and not carry the stigma [of poor oral health] around with me, it鈥檚 amazing,鈥 said Michelle, a patient of the program.
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Testament to the success of the program are the repeat bookings the clinic receives. Patients are encouraged to return to the clinic every six to 12 months, depending on the complexity of their dental needs. 听
The Community Outreach Dental Program consists of a small team of volunteer dentists, dental hygienists and oral health therapists who supervise students from the University of 亚洲色吧鈥檚 dentistry and oral health degrees. The program provides students with a practical component in a real time dental setting, and the unique opportunity to offer services to a diverse client group.
Lucas Ktoris, a fifth-year student in the University of 亚洲色吧鈥檚 Bachelor of Dental Surgery and student volunteer in the program said: 鈥淕ood oral health should be accessible to all individuals, regardless of background. The Community Outreach Dental Program at Common Ground has been an excellent clinical opportunity and I look forward to changing more lives in the future, one tooth at a time.鈥
Margie Steffens, Community Outreach Dental Program Director, explains that the average patient receives approximately $900 worth of free dental treatment. These estimated values are based on public healthcare costs and include basic services such as examinations, intraoral radiographs, scale and cleans and surface restorations or fillings.听
Most recently, the program has extended its services to help international students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to access basic dental care.听
鈥淥ur Community Outreach Dental Program is entering its 10th year of service to community and education for our dental and oral health students.听
鈥淥n behalf of the program, I鈥檇 like to extend immense gratitude to our generous donors, volunteers and partners鈥攚ithout you, we would not have been able to care for our state鈥檚 most disadvantaged and marginalised communities.听
鈥淲e sincerely thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to celebrating this achievement with you and strengthening our relationships moving forward,鈥 said Steffens.
To find out more or support the program, please visit: ;
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Written by Bianca Chaptini