Twenty thousand mouths are a lot of teeth and gums to treat but that’s the exact number the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) (Queensland Section) Mobile Dental Unit have racked up over more than eleven years of service
It was one of the state’s more remote locations in Camooweal where the achievement unfolded, with local Sharna Anderson registered as patient number 20,000.
Sharna, who’s used the service over a number of years, said she was surprised to hear so many people have been fortunate enough to utilise mobile dental care from the RFDS (Queensland Section).
“I have always found the service to be convenient and all the staff are just so welcoming,” Sharna said.
“Camooweal is long way from a lot of things which includes dental care so I make sure I plan around the dental truck arriving so me and my family can all get the same sort of dental care you’d get in the bigger regional centres.
“It really is an amazing service.”
RFDS (Queensland Section) Executive General Manager Nursing and Clinical Services Lee Poole said the success of the Mobile Dental Unit has been as much about the patients who use it as the staff who provide the service.
“We really do have a long list of regular patients who make sure they’ve planned to see the mobile dentist whenever the truck arrives in town,” Mr. Poole said.
“For them it’s a vital health service they simply can’t do without.
“Of course, demand for the service is beyond what we can deliver which means we’re always looking for new and innovative ways we can get to more people across the state.
“The big picture plan is to one day have a second Mobile Dental Unit operating and when that day happens, we can look forward to restoring even more smiles across Queensland.”
The RFDS (Queensland Section) Mobile Dental Service was launched in 2013 with the support of the QCoal Group, QCoal Foundation and the Australian Government.
The service is a fully equipped surgery featuring state of the art equipment including an orthopantomogram (OPG) machine.
Services include oral health maintenance, x rays and extractions, treatment for acute or existing conditions, gum disease treatment and referral to specialist dental services.
