Access to public dental services to be improved for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

Access to Victorian public dental services will be improved for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from July 1.

The Minister for Health recently announced an important policy change that will improve access to public dental care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

From 1 July 2021, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be eligible for public dental care in Victoria, regardless of concession card status.

This is a key response to the National Oral Health Plan 2015-24 which recognised that at a population level Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experienced poorer oral health outcomes than the rest of the Australian population.

East Grampians Health Service Dental Clinic is working collaboratively with Budja Budja Aboriginal Medical Clinic delivering dental services at Budja Budja on a regular basis addressing the current financial and geographical barriers in accessing dental care.

“We are striving to improve the dental health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our communities by building relationships, and supplying patients with information necessary for them to make informed decisions about their own oral health with confidence,” EGHS chief executive Andrew Freeman said.

“Dental care is also provided at East Grampians Health Service in a culturally responsive and receptive manner.”

Pictured: Alison Chatfield – Practice Manager at Budja Budja Medical Clinic, Kaylene Jackson – EGHS Dental Coordinator, Amy Mantell – Senior Dental Assistant, Abbie Lovett – Aboriginal Health Worker Trainee, Dental Liaison