Tasmania’s oral health outcomes, among the poorest in Australia, are set to improve with the opening of St Lukes Health’s first dental clinics in Launceston and Howrah. These new facilities aim to address the state’s significant dental health challenges, including the lowest number of dentists per capita and the highest rate of missing teeth among adults.
The not-for-profit organization highlighted that Tasmanians face long waiting times, with nearly four years required to access non-urgent public dental care. In response, the clinics provide a broad range of services, including consultations with dentists, oral health therapists, and hygienists, ensuring that patients receive care tailored to their needs.
“We want to make sure that dental care is available in the right setting,” explained Luke Cameron, Chief Health Officer at St Lukes Health. “It’s not always necessary for a dentist to perform routine cleanings. Oral health therapists and hygienists are fully capable of carrying out cleanings, monitoring dental issues, and referring patients to a dentist when necessary.”
With Tasmania reporting the highest rate of missing teeth among Australian adults, the new clinics aim to make preventative dental care more accessible, with a focus on long-term improvements in the state’s oral health.
Denise Shukri, a local Howrah resident, regularly brings her family to the Howrah clinic, ensuring her seven-year-old son Ryan receives his six-monthly checkups. “We’ve always made dental care a priority in our family budget, especially for Ryan, to give him a good start,” Shukri shared. “It’s important for us that he has a healthy smile and avoids future complications.”
Shukri advocates for more accessible pathways to public dental care, acknowledging that many families may give up due to the complexity of navigating the system. “There need to be simpler ways for people to access services,” she said. “If there were clearer steps to follow, it would make things so much easier for families.”
By improving access to dental services and emphasizing preventive care, St Lukes Health hopes to foster better oral health outcomes and reduce the long-term burden of dental issues in Tasmania.
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