Brighter smiles from new dental service

A SPECIALIST dental hub for children has opened in Bendigo – the first of three regional hubs to be set up in regional and rural Victoria.

Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards announced the Smile Squad hub last week.

The centre, which will operate at the Bendigo Health dental clinic one day a week, will offer local children specialised dental care at no cost.

It is part of the government’s free school dental program, Smile Squad.

Smile Squad teams already provide a wide range of general oral health care treatments during school visits, but the specialist hub will offer more complex treatments from dentists beyond the scope of those teams.

“Having the first Smile Squad specialist hub here in Bendigo is a fantastic addition to basic health care for local kids, giving families access to important oral health care without breaking the bank or having to travel far from home,” Ms Edwards said.

“Improving the oral health of kids in regional and rural Victoria is an important part of looking after their overall wellbeing and offering better access to specialist dental hubs is a critical part of this.”

Made up of dentists, oral health therapists and dental assistants, Smile Squad staff conduct dental check-ups in school classrooms using portable equipment which includes a full examination of the children’s teeth, gums, jaw and mouth, with further treatment delivered in mobile dental clinics.

All services are free and include teeth cleaning, fluoride application, fissure sealants, fillings, root canals and a range of other non-cosmetic treatments.

Families can also receive recommendations for future care, including referrals, as required.

Smile Squad teams also provide comprehensive oral health education for children, helping them to understand the benefits of eating well, drinking tap water and brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

The Smile Squad program has operated since 2019 and a boost of $16.9 million in the recent budget will allow the scheme to expand into low-fee, non-government schools from 2026.

Other specialist hubs will be set up in Geelong and the Latrobe Valley.