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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Jodie Robinson, clinical coordinator of Grampians Health Dental Clinic said the organisation is in urgent need for funds.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe equipment we\u2019ve had is about 10 years old,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very expensive. It\u2019s difficult to repair. We only have two sets and we\u2019re on the road constantly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019d really like the public to help us so we can keep running these services for people that are at different age groups that there\u2019s not necessarily targeted programs for.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The campaign has already been kickstarted with $10,000 raised through anonymous donations.<\/p>\n
Courtney Liversage, dental assistant and oral health educator at Grampians Health Dental said it\u2019s important for them to maintain outreach programs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I do see some of the older clients, a lot of them say \u2018I wish I knew this knowledge years ago because I could\u2019ve saved my teeth\u2019,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey would\u2019ve 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Liversage said her son Cooper has benefited from the program.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen he came, he didn\u2019t actually like the dentist,\u201d she said. \u201cThere\u2019s lots of buttons to press, the lights, everything\u2019s a little overwhelming.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen they go out to the kinder, it\u2019s a safe learning environment for them. They watch their peers go one after the other. There\u2019s positive reinforcement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Donations can be made at ghb-tax-appeal-2023.raisely.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n