The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community has access to an innovative new mobile oral health screening service.
Metro North Oral Health Service Therapist Consultant Alison Dickinson said it was great to hold the first ever Deadly Smiles Oral Health Family Screening Day for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community recently.
“A large number of families and children came together to support the new Deadly Smiles service and take advantage of the free dental screening and fluoride varnish treatment on offer,” Ms Dickinson said.
“Putting preventive and screening measures in place and being more mobile in the community is a cost-effective preventive measure that can help reduce decay rates by improving access to care.”
The Deadly Smiles oral health service became mobile with the help of the Better Together Van and support from the Nundah Community Centre.
With the Better Together Health Van and support of the Nundah Community Health Centre, the Oral Health team hosted the Deadly Smiles service at Nundah.
“The Deadly Smiles Program has been developed in conjunction with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Team and aims to improve access to dental care for First Nations people,” Ms Dickinson said.
“The day included free dental check-ups, fluoride varnish treatment, healthy snacks and free preventative packs on offer.”
Ms Dickinson said Deadly Smiles complemented Metro North Health’s existing Fluoride Varnish program which sees preventive dental treatment provided to children in the Moreton Bay region and beyond.
“Deadly Smiles also provided a dental referral pathway to public sector oral health care facilities for children who may need extra dental care,” she said.
“For the first time ever, we are also able to include eligible mums and dads to have screens with their children.
“The whole family can then come together to an appointment to have their follow-up treatment provided at the same place.”
Another Deadly Smiles Day is planned for the Koobara Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Kindergarten and Preschool community and the Moreton Bay region later in the year.