About Sandgate Dental Clinic
The Sandgate Dental Clinic has been delivering great dental care for well over 45 years.
The clinic is home to the General Practice Oral Health Service which provides general and emergent dental care to around 60 adults each day.
The team is made up of a friendly group of dental specialists, prosthetists, dentists, and supporting dental assistants and administration staff.
Importantly, it houses the dental technician laboratory where a dedicated group of technicians creatively craft, customise and adjust dentures and mouth guards for patients across Metro North.
Sandgate Shining Star Winners (April 2023)
John Paterson, Dentist
“John has been with Queensland Health for many years and has worked tirelessly for the community.
“He treats his patients with genuine care and compassion, and always demonstrates Metro North values.”
Brett Jamieson, Dentist
“Dr Jamieson is a reliable, dependable and patient focussed clinician. Brett quietly goes about his clinical days providing high quality care to the patients he sees.
“The Sandgate community are fortunate to have Brett to attend to their dental concerns, toothaches and denture issues.
“Dr Jamieson you are a legend and we are glad you are part of the GPOHS family of COH!”
Dental Assistant Team
“We have had a lot of difficulties lately with a shortage of dental assistants which makes the workplace sometimes unpredictable and not easy to navigate.
“I am a new acting principal dentist and cannot be happier with how the dental assistant team has managed the difficult times.
“They supported me even when they were finding it hard. Their morale was always maintained.
“The team effort on display by the team was magnificent. Their endurance, flexibility and leadership are to be commended.”
Scott Keam, Senior Dental Technician
“Scott is a supportive and encouraging leader.
“He is constantly striving to achieved quality outcomes for our patients and is always willing to go the extra mile to assist both patients and staff.”
Sandgate Dental Clinic – Dental assistants, dentists, administration, dental technicians and prosthetists
“The clinic has been under a lot of stress lately because they have been short staffed and everyone has pulled together as a team.
“Another special call out to the dental assistants who have stepped up and helped the clinic run to the best of its ability during this difficult time.
“The Sandgate Dental Clinic has pulled together as a team and stepped up when required.”
Spotlight: A journey down memory lane
It was difficult uncovering the history of the Sandgate Dental Clinic but we found some anecdotal evidence from the site.
Initially, public oral health services were delivered in an old Queenslander offsite before the existing clinical was built.
The Sandgate Dental Clinic was officially opened by the Hon. Dr. L. R. Edwards MLA and Minister for Health on 13 April 1976.
At the time the Dental Clinic was under the governance of The North Brisbane Hospitals Board.
More recently, the Dental Technician Laboratory was introduced featuring eight technician chairs on the upper floor.
The Sandgate Dental Clinic currently has five dental chairs for patients, and is currently undergoing a much-needed makeover.
Spotlight: ESM trial improving oral health outcomes
A new electronic system trial is helping Sandgate Dental Clinic technicians fine tune and streamline the production of dentures for patients across Metro North.
Senior Dental Technician Scott Keam said we have been using the Enterprise Scheduling Management (ESM) system since last year, and it has been instrumental in saving technicians time when accessing or following up dentists’ instructions.
“The system gives us immediate access to more detailed dentist instructions and notes, as well as treatment plans that help us create the perfect dentures for our patients,” he said.
“The ESM system also provides a good activity log or record of the number of dentures produced or repair activities undertaken at Sandgate.”
The technician team at Sandgate create and produce more than 1,500 unique dentures for patients each year. They also provide repairs to existing dentures and mouth guards for other clinics across Metro North.
Scott said production of dentures was not a simple process and involved multiple patient appointments and denture adjustments to get it right.
“Having access to the dentist’s instructions and notes, and treatment plan on your secure desktop is a big improvement,” he said.
The interest in the trial has been very high with other clinics starting to use or considering the system.
Compliment – Sandgate Dental Clinic
“I wanted to initially compliment a team member who took the extra steps to help my granddad find the earliest available appointment at Sandgate Dental Clinic.
“By looking up and asking whether we were able to travel to another clinic (Sandgate) instead of Granddad’s usual clinic (City/Herston), Granddad was able to be seen by a dentist within a week of us calling.
“Thanks to Sandgate Dental Clinic he will be able to complete his treatment by the end of the month and before his first consultation if he was to attend his usual clinic.
“My family have been making appointments for my granddad for over three decades and now are aware that there are other available (and faster) options.”
Nominate a Chermside Community Health Centre Shining Star!
Our next Shining Star Award will be focused on the Chermside Community Health Centre alongside the executive visit this month on the Tuesday 23 May.
We encourage Chermside staff in particular to nominate a colleague or team for
the May Shining Star Award by sending a 50-100 word submission to COH-Communications@health.qld.gov.au
Nominations close Wednesday 17 May.
The next COH executive visit and Shining Star Awards
Chermside Community Health Centre
Room 26
Staff Mornng Tea
Tuesday 23 May
@ 11:00 am