A fresh, new RFDS Dental Service is sure to bring a smile to the faces of those people living in rural and remote Queensland.
Launched in Winton by Federal Member for Maranoa, David Littleproud MP, the now Commonwealth-funded RFDS Dental Service will continue to deliver free dental consultations from its custom-built mobile dental unit.
Speaking at the launch in Winton today, Mr Littleproud commended the work of the RFDS in continuing to deliver oral health initiatives to the people of rural Queensland.
"It's an absolute pleasure being here today on behalf of the Coalition Government to recognise this vital dental outreach program that gives improved access to thousands of people across rural and remote Queensland," Mr Littleproud said.
"The work the RFDS dental team carries out cannot be commended enough, and I would like to personally thank them for the dedication they display in delivering vital frontline health services to our region.
"With the Federal Government's commitment of $11 million over more remote regions of Australia including communities such as Winton, will receive benefit from services such as these being sustained into the future."
Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) Board member, the Hon. Bruce Scott said development of the RFDS Dental Service would not be possible without the generous support of its founding partners, QCoal Group, the QCoal Foundation and the Australian Government, that commenced the program in 2013.
"Without the dedicated advocacy and financial support from our Founding Partners in the initial four years, while known as the QCoal Community Dental Service, we would not have been be able to reach the stage we are now at, where we can deliver this service as a standalone RFDS program," Mr Scott said.
"The RFDS Dental Service will travel to 16 rural and remote communities in 12 months, from Camooweal in the North west across to Clermont and Collinsville, Cherbourg in the south of the state and throughout the centre of Queensland including where we are today in Winton.
"In its first four years the Service delivered more than $4 million in treatment to more than 8,000 patients across the state. We are delighted to be able to carry on delivering this same level of service at the doorsteps of those who need it, free of charge."
The RFDS Dental Service is delivered via an 18-wheel semi-trailer fitted out with two clinics, a sterilisation area, reception desk and the latest panoramic x-ray equipment, giving our dental team everything it needs to carry out the vital health service.
For all RFDS Dental Service enquiries and bookings, call 1800 002 507
