Tooth mob dental volunteer program

• Reach:

  NT

• Focus area:

  Indigenous

• Status:

  Current

• Evaluated:

  No

Overview

The Tooth mob dental volunteer program aims to establish regular treatment which goes beyond emergency care and crisis management for Indigenous people living in the Katherine region of the Northern Territory (NT). This program aims to improve access to dental treatment and also address the underlying causes of health inequity. The program supports existing Sunrise Health programs, which seek to tackle the wider determinants of poor health, and also supports the work of local Aboriginal organisations. The specific goals of this program include:

• providing essential dental treatment to remote communities through coordination of a rotating roster of volunteer dental teams
• ensuring the continuation of a sustainable oral health program through development of preventative educational programs and a focus on the transfer of skills and knowledge to Indigenous workers
• building a strong and dynamic pilot program, capable of being rolled out more generally around Australia.

The program involves a collaborative partnership between the Charlie Perkins Trust, Sunrise Aboriginal Health and Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC).

Volunteer dental teams work in the existing health clinics and are able to draw upon the experience and expertise of health clinic staff. Northern Territory Health and the RAHC provide support to this project by ensuring an effective program which responds appropriately and efficiently to community needs.

Charlie Perkins Trust abstract

Contacts

Tooth mob dental volunteer program
Charlie Perkins Trust
PO Box 1054
Randwick NSW 2031
Ph: (02) 9469 8103
Email: toothmob@auroraproject.com.au

Links

• View information: Tooth mob dental volunteer program
• View website: Charlie Perkins Trust