The QCoal Foundation and the Queensland section of the Royal Flying Doctor Service have this week announced that its successful QCoal Community Dental Service, is set to continue, marking a successful conclusion to this year’s Dental Health Week. Having provided more than $2 million worth of free dental services to thousands in rural and remote communities across central and western Queensland since 2013, the coal mining company’s initiative is a positive step in bettering the dental health of those traditionally without the access afforded to those in metropolitan areas.
“Thanks to this service, those living and working in rural and remote communities can now get the quality care they need on their doorstep, free of charge,” said QCoal Foundation chief executive officer Nino Di Marco. Delivered by two dental surgeries in a purpose-built semi-trailer, the service can provide everything from a simple check-up and clean through to an extraction of X-ray. The service is due to visit communities in Blackall, Sapphire, Theodore, Collinsville and Monto before the end of the year.
Meanwhile in western New South Wales, the Royal Flying Docto’ Service has announced the expansion of its successful TOOTH program, which similarly offers patients in rural communities – here including Bourke, Lightning Ridge, Collarenebri and Goodooga – fly-in, fly-out services. The organisation is set to employ an additional dentist and dental assistant for the service following private financial donations from the western region, providing funding for a full year.
