The Australian Dental Health Foundation (ADHF) is committed to provide funding for dentures as part of its role as a key partner in the NSW Poche Centre for Indigenous Health Dental Technology Project.
On 27 January 2015, the Project was launched at Westmead Hospital by the Hon Jai Rowell, NSW Assistant Minister for Health. During the launch, the Hon Jai Rowell said, “This innovative project is a fantastic way to improve the oral health of Aboriginal people across country NSW, and ensure they can access quality dental health care no matter where they live.”
PROJECT OUTCOMES
The outcomes of the Dental Technology Project are to:
• Provide cadetships for two Aboriginal people to undertake block release studies in Diploma of Dental Technology over a two and a half year period commencing in 2015.
• Purchase and equip a small van with a laboratory to be used across urban, rural and remote communities in NSW.
• Fabricate, supply and fit at least 300 dentures and 200 mouth guards for Aboriginal people living in urban, rural and remote NSW utilising skills of students and graduates under supervision of experienced and skilled dental technicians and prosthetists.
PROJECT PARTNERS
Partners in the project include:
• Commonwealth Graduate Year Programs for Oral Health Therapy and Dentistry – capital funding for the mobile laboratory and graduates to use the laboratory alongside the cadets.
• NSW Centre for Oral Health Strategy – funding for supervisors and dentures.
• The University of Sydney Wingara Mura Strategy – funding for dentures and mouthguards.
• TAFE NSW Sydney Institute – discounted tuition and flexible (block mode) delivery.
• Australian Dental Health Foundation – funding for dentures.
• Employer partner (A Local Health District) – provide employment for the cadets for the duration of their training.
• Poche Centre for Indigenous Health – project management, logistics, funding for accommodation and living expenses in the field for the cadets, supervision for cadets in rural and remote NSW.
• Poche Centre for Indigenous Health/Faculty of Dentistry – evaluation of the project.
The project combines workforce development, equipment and service delivery.
INDIGENOUS CADETSHIPS AND MOBILE DENTAL SERVICE
The two cadetships and mobile dental services form part of this project with training led by Sydney Institute of TAFE, Randwick and delivered in block mode. The cadetships advertised in January, will commence in March 2015.
Cadets will be paid a training wage during their cadetship with all expenses being met during the training period. Current planning around rotations is for 10 weeks in total in rural/regional blocks with the Poche Centre and associated services; 14 weeks in total with TAFE teaching; 14 weeks in rotation with Sydney metropolitan Local Health Districts (LHD); and 4 weeks annual leave.
The two cadets will be employed by a LHD and funded by the NSW Centre for Oral Health Strategy and work across multiple locations under the supervision of senior prosthetists and dentists.
THE POCHE CENTRE BACKGROUND
The Poche Centre was established by the University of Sydney within Sydney Medical School following a generous donation in 2008 from philanthropist and Indigenous health advocate, Dr Greg Poche AO and his wife, Kay.
The Poche Centres, also located in South Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia and Victoria, are an example of the power of partnership in achieving real change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The model is unique, working with leading researchers, faculty alumni, students, government and non-government agencies to pool their knowledge and experiences with communities to find practical, sustainable and affordable solutions to address physical and mental health issues.
David Owen
Chairman
Australian Dental Health Foundation
