Mount Austin Public School student Birrani Barlow gets his teeth checked by oral health therapist Hope Pressler. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
The Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) is making sure every child in the Riverina gets the dental support they need with its Mobile Dental Van.
Visiting schools across the region, the MLHD Mobile Dental Van teaches kids the importance of cleaning their teeth regularly – breaking the negative stigma about the dentist and providing the best techniques to keep their mouths clean and healthy.
Oral health therapist Hope Pressler said the van focused on visiting schools that were in low socio-economic areas as well as rural areas where children had trouble getting to dental clinics for checkups.
“The van travels all year round to places like Buraja, Corowa, Albury and Wagga,” she said.
“We’re hoping to take it out to the Gundagai area soon; we’ve had a lot of positive feedback from parents who just really appreciate us coming out and providing this service.
“Families, especially those who have to travel, really love it. For some, seeing a dentist can be a financial burden. I speak to some patients who haven’t seen a dentist in over two years because the travel or expense is too far.
“I see patients who have an infection or holes in their teeth, but they haven’t been for several years because they aren’t physically able to. That’s why this free service is so important for regional areas.”
Birrani practises how to brush his teeth. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Ms Pressler and her team have been at Mount Austin Public School for the past three weeks and will be there until the end of August. The school has had one of the biggest turnouts for the van with 75 per cent of its 243 students registering for an appointment.
One of the kids who had their teeth checked was Year 1 student Birrani Barlow who said he learnt a lot about how to brush properly.
“The lady (Ms Pressler) checked my teeth to make sure they were all good,” he said.
“She showed me how to brush them and make sure that they are alright.”
The Mobile Dental Van’s visit to Mount Austin Public School has occurred during Dental Health Week – 5 to 11 August – with this year’s focus being healthy gums.
“Every week should be Dental Health Week, but this week in particular we want to make sure that people are looking after their gums properly,” Ms Pressler said.
“Everyone should take the time to brush their teeth regularly and properly and visit their dentist frequently.”
To learn more about the NSW Health Primary School Mobile Dental Program, visit the NSW Health website.
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