The Flying Doctor Dental team has joined the Victorian government’s Smile Squad – a program set up to provide free examinations and dental treatment to Victorian public school children.
The inclusion of the Flying Doctor Dental Clinic recognises the relationships that the service has with many of the rural communities now eligible for the program, as well as Flying Doctor Dental’s existing partnership with Dental Health Services Victoria and our experience in mobile service.
This year alone, approximately 4000 students in more than 30 rural and remote Victorian public schools will be provided with free dental care by the Flying Doctor Dental team in their local community. Many of these areas do not have access to a regular dental service and so the Flying Doctor Dental team, with the support of Smile Squad, will be filling a crucial gap in service.
Dr. Melanie Trivett, General Manager, Primary Health Care RFDS Victoria, says that the Flying Doctor’s inclusion in the program presents a great opportunity for the service to reach even more Victorians.
“Sound oral health is a crucial component of a person’s overall health and wellbeing. Through Flying Doctor Dental, we are committed to bridging the barrier of distance by bringing high quality dental care to rural and remote Victorians, and see our inclusion in Smile Squad as another way to fulfil this commitment.”
Areas serviced by Flying Doctor Dental across the year will include: Mansfield, Buloke, Alpine, East Gippsland, Gannawarra, Loddon, Murrindindi, Northern Grampians, and Swan Hill.
Overall in 2020 the Smile Squad is expected to provide treatment in more than 300 Victorian public schools.
To find out more about Smile Squad please go to: https://www.smilesquad.vic.gov.au/
