The Royal Flying Doctor Service’s fully equipped mobile dental surgery has been on the ground in Mount Isa to provide free oral healthcare treatments.
Partnering with Gidgee Healing, the RFDS Dental Service team treated patients from the mobile dental surgery outside Gidgee Healing’s Burke Street clinic*.
Gidgee Healing CEO Cherrie Glasson said there had been an overwhelmingly positive response from the community.
“We have been thrilled with the community response to this inaugural collaboration between Gidgee Healing and the RFDS Dental Service,” Ms Glasson said.
“Almost 40 people in the Mount Isa community – many of whom have been living in pain and discomfort for a long time due to not being able to get appointments sooner – were able to be treated at no cost.
“It was an incredibly rewarding partnership for all concerned – Gidgee Healing, RFDS, and the local community who needed it most.”
RFDS (Queensland Section) Chief Executive Officer Meredith Staib thanked Gidgee Healing for their support.
“Regular dental check-ups are so important for overall health, but we know factors such as travel and costs associated with visits to the dentist can be a barrier for patients,” Ms Staib said.
“The RFDS Dental Service aims to help break down these barriers and allow communities to access dental services free of charge and close to home.
“We’re proud of our strong partnership with Gidgee Healing and look forward to continuing to work with them side-by-side, delivering healthcare services in communities across the region.”
The RFDS Dental Service operates from a purpose-built mobile dental surgery and features state-of-the-art equipment, including an OPG machine. Patients have access to a range of services such as oral health maintenance, X-rays and extractions, and treatment for acute or pre-existing conditions.
The RFDS Dental Service has delivered dental care for nearly 10 years to communities across regional, rural and remote Queensland.
In the past 12 months, the mobile dental surgery has travelled to 20 towns and RFDS dental teams have treated more than 1,700 patients.
*Gidgee Healing’s Burke Street clinic is soon to be re-opened following significant water damage caused to the building in 2021.
