14/8/02
New dental clinics will be built at Newman and Esperance as part of the State Government's annual $54million Oral Health Program, Health Minister Bob Kucera announced today.
Mr Kucera said more than $500,000 had been allocated for the construction of a purpose-built replacement clinic at Newman by April 2003.
Planning had also commenced to establish a public dental clinic at the Esperance Hospital for the financially disadvantaged.
"People who are living in Newman will be able to access subsidised dental treatment from the new clinic, which will be centrally located on the hospital site," the Minister said.
"The clinic, which will include two surgeries, a sterilisation bay and spacious areas for patients and staff, will help attract dental staff to the region.
"The attraction and retention of health professionals in country areas is an ongoing challenge, which is why it is important that we offer them a modern, efficient environment in which to practise.
"It will be a significant improvement on the current clinic, which is outdated and in poor condition."
Mr Kucera said the new two-chair clinic in Esperance, which would be located within the hospital, would be operational by early 2003.
"Funds totalling more than $200,000 have been allocated to establish this public dental clinic in an area of identified need," he said.
"Services will initially be provided on a part-time basis until a full assessment of service requirements is made.
"Back-up dental support will be provided by the Centre for Rural and Remote Oral Health (CRROH) at the University of Western Australia (UWA).
"In addition, dental interns from the final year of the Bachelor of Dentistry course at UWA will be working at the clinic for varying periods of time as part of their education program."
In addition to the clinic, CRROH will also establish an oral health promotion program for pre-school children in the Esperance region in collaboration with community health staff from the South East Coastal Health Service.
"This group has been identified as being at high risk of dental disease and the program will complement service development in the region," Mr Kucera said.
Mr Kucera, who today tabled the Government's response to the Education and Health Standing Committee Report, 'Adequacy and Availability of Dental Services in Regional, Rural and Remote Western Australia', said the new clinics would enhance dental services for country people.
"Country people are often at a disadvantage when it comes to accessing dental treatment, which is why we are investing more than $16million each year to improve services," he said.
"These services include community oral health services, school dental services, specialist services and admitted patient oral health services."
Minister's office: 9213 7000
