Life changing complex needs dentistry supports generations

It isn’t a stretch of the imagination to say that the work of Metro North Oral Health Service’s Stephen Moore is benefiting generations and changing lives.

Stephen, an Oral Health Therapist at Queensland Children’s Hospital Oral Health Clinic and Oral Health Centre at Herston, has spent the past 25 years caring for children with complex medical needs and cleft palate conditions.

“After 25 years in the Cleft Lip and Palate Program, I now see former patients bringing in their own children to start their journey,” he said.

“It’s a powerful reminder of the connections we make and the impact we have.

“Parents remember the care they received, and now they trust us to look after their children too.”

In Brisbane North and Moreton Bay, close to 3,300 kids received corrective dental care for cleft lip conditions, treatment for trauma and other conditions requiring a highly specialised oral health team at Metro North Oral Health Services.

“For a child with oral aversion, it might take me eight years to get them into the dental chair,” Stephen said. “When we finally get there, I feel like doing a backflip.

“Within the scope of oral health therapy, there’s so much we can do from doing fillings and extractions of teeth to orthodontic duties.

“But the most rewarding part is helping children who were once too anxious even to enter the surgery finally sit in the dental chair.”

As part of the Cleft Lip and Palate Program, Stephen supports patients from infancy to young adulthood.

Stephen said for children with cleft conditions, oral health was more than just caring for teeth—it’s about protecting the gum and bone structure needed for future treatment.

Stephen helps families understand the importance of prevention and lifelong dental care.

“Good oral health is essential, especially for children with cleft conditions. Preventing decay and gum disease isn’t just about protecting teeth,” Stephen said.

“Effective oral health helps maintain the gum and bone structure needed for future treatments.

“Poor oral hygiene can lead to infections, pain and even impact overall health.”

Stephen’s goal is to ensure every child has the best chance at lifelong oral health.

Metro North Oral Health Service also offers free oral health care for well over 120,000 eligible adults and around 15,000 children (0-15yo) each year at our general practice dental clinics, school clinics and dental vans across Brisbane North and Moreton Bay.