Kids in regional and remote Northern NSW communities will have a faster and more convenient trip to the dentist thanks to a new mobile dental van operating in the region, the state government says.
The service is an extension of the NSW Health Primary School Mobile Dental Program, and Northern NSW Local Health District Oral Health Service is running a pilot program to visit several local primary schools throughout 2023.
It has already visited Bonalbo Central School, and will also attend schools in Urbenville, Tabulam and Kyogle over the coming weeks.
Dr Angie Nilsson, Clinical Director Oral Health Services, said primary school children are at an important point in their dental journey as their adult teeth start to come through.
‘We’re helping kids set good oral health practices for life and ensuring they get the best start for healthy teeth and gums,’ Dr Nilsson said.
‘It can take more than two hours for some of our communities to travel to access the public dental service, and in areas with limited public transport options, it’s even more of a challenge.’
The services will include check-ups, cleans, x-rays and other preventive treatments and will help to set children on a path to good dental health for life.
Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said she was pleased to see the service would visit four primary schools across Northern NSW.
‘Some regional and remote communities in our region experience significant barriers to dental care, so this is a really wonderful initiative to bring preventive healthcare to some of our youngest residents,’ Ms Saffin said.
Bonalbo Central School was the first school to host the dental van in May, with close to 100 percent of the primary school children receiving check-ups.
