Tax cash needed for mobile repair

Open wide: Grampians Health Dental Clinic coordinator Jodie Robinson is asking for funds to update their mobile education and treatment services for kids like Cooper, whose mother Courtney Liversage helps deliver the programs. Photo: TIM BOTTAMS

WITH the end of the financial year looming, staff at Grampians Health are calling on the community to help update equipment for their portable dental services and education program.

The mobile clinics are used to provide treatment and education at childcare and homelessness centres as well as aged care facilities, and GH staff are seeking about $35,000 to upgrade their tools.

Jodie Robinson, clinical coordinator of Grampians Health Dental Clinic said the organisation is in urgent need for funds.

“The equipment we’ve had is about 10 years old,” she said.

“It’s really valuable for us out in the community in lots of different areas. We go in to maternity outpatients and we go to supported residential services with special needs adults.

“It’s very expensive. It’s difficult to repair. We only have two sets and we’re on the road constantly.

“We’d really like the public to help us so we can keep running these services for people that are at different age groups that there’s not necessarily targeted programs for.”

Tax deductible donations are being sought by GH staff for new mobile equipment including a suction machine, two x-ray machines and dental chairs and a dental trolley.

The campaign has already been kickstarted with $10,000 raised through anonymous donations.

Courtney Liversage, dental assistant and oral health educator at Grampians Health Dental said it’s important for them to maintain outreach programs.

“When I do see some of the older clients, a lot of them say ‘I wish I knew this knowledge years ago because I could’ve saved my teeth’,” she said.

“They would’ve also been able to pass on that health literacy and education down to their kids and grandkids. It starts a big chain reaction. The staff get educated as well.”

Ms Liversage said her son Cooper has benefited from the program.

“When he came, he didn’t actually like the dentist,” she said. “There’s lots of buttons to press, the lights, everything’s a little overwhelming.

“When they go out to the kinder, it’s a safe learning environment for them. They watch their peers go one after the other. There’s positive reinforcement.”

Donations can be made at ghb-tax-appeal-2023.raisely.com.