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Local Dental Clinic to use Oral Health Grant to improve qualitity of life for disadvantaged Queenslander's
Nearly 40 per cent[i] of Australians cannot access basic dental care when they need it, with many of the worst affected coming from low-income or homeless communities, where poor oral health is widespread and waiting lists are often measured in years.
Robyn Rollason, Practice Manager of Absolute Dental Care, said that oral health education in the Taringa community and dental services for Brisbane’s homeless could be improved: “Too often low-income and individuals at risk of homelessness fall through the gaps when it comes to dental care and education. We want to provide the basic education and tools they need to improve their oral health.”
The grant will help Absolute Dental Care fill the dental care gap by offering free oral health advice and take home oral health packs to visitors to the Brisbane Homelessness Service Centre. It will also help develop new and engaging oral health education programs targeted at children and adults from low-income and disadvantaged areas in the Taringa and Indooroopilly communities.
“The grant will help us make a real difference to the oral health of these communities. If we can offer free educational support to some of the most vulnerable members of our neighbourhoods, we believe that in time we can help relieve the pressure on the public dental health system,” Ms. Rollason continued.
Absolute Dental Care was one of seven grassroots community service dental projects to receive a US$5,000 Wrigley ADA Community Service Grant.
Robert Boyd-Boland, CEO of the ADA, praised the clinic for its dedication and commitment to oral health and volunteerism: “Ensuring access to dental care to all Australians should be a priority, which is why it is so pleasing to see the number and quality of applications that we received in the pilot year of our partnership with The Wrigley Foundation.
“The team at Absolute Dental Care should be commended for proactively designing a great community outreach program, in partnership with the Brisbane Homelessness Service Centre. We believe that this initiative will make a real and positive difference within their community.”
The Wrigley Foundation ADA Community Service Grants program is designed to help improve access to oral health and oral health education for some of our neediest communities. This year’s grants will be used to help a number of programs focussing on the oral health of Indigenous, special needs and homeless or low-income communities.
“Absolute Dental Care is to be congratulated on the initiative it is taking with this program,” said Hamish Thomson, Wrigley Pacific Managing Director. “They saw a need in their local community and developed a plan to proactively make a difference, right in their own backyard – think of the difference that we could make to Australia, and the world, if we all took a similar approach.
“Wrigley is proud of its long relationship with Australian dentists and we firmly believe that we can help them make a real difference to some of our most disadvantaged communities via this grassroots community grants program.”
ADA Dental Health Week
www.dentalhealthweek.com.au
ENDS
Media contacts:
Jai Kensey 02 9291 3358 / jai.kensey@edelman.com
Jo Osorio 02 9291 3375 / jo.osorio@edelman.com
Absolute Dental Care
Absolute Dental Care provides quality dental care with a high level of customer service. We respect patient’s time and are committed to developing lifelong relationships based on trust and communication. Our team’s focus is to assist our patients and members of the community in understanding their oral health. We aim to achieve this in a modern, relaxed caring and friendly environment.
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company Foundation
The Wrigley Company has a rich history of giving back to the communities where we live and work. Established in 1987 to formalise the giving of grants and donations, the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company Foundation has distributed more than USD$47 million to non-profit organisations around the world. The mission of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company Foundation is to improve the health of people and our planet through sustainable initiatives focused in oral health and environmental stewardship as well as local needs that ensure a healthy community. Wrigley provides support not only with financial resources, but with the care and compassion of their 16,000 associates who have a passion for service and are provided opportunities throughout the year to exhibit their generous spirit. www.wrigley.com.au
Australian Dental Association (ADA) The Australian Dental Association is an organisation of dentists which has as its aim the encouragement of the health of the public and the promotion of the art and science of dentistry. There are Branches of the Association in all States and Territories with over 90% of dentists in Australia as members. For further information about the ADA, dental hygiene or oral health, please visit the ADA at www.ada.org.au
[i] Fair Dental Care for Low Income Earners: National report on the state of dental care, Australian Council of Social Service, Information Paper, 2006. Available at
