The Royal Flying Doctor Service Tasmania Dental Program

In December 2016, the Commonwealth Government announced $1.8m over two years would be allocated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Tasmania to administer a rural service delivery-based dental program. RFDS Tasmania was given short notice of the establishment of the program and even shorter notice of the funding rules. RFDS Tasmania Board will provide its own financial support in addition to the Commonwealth funding.

It has decided to use a community-based approach and focus on rural areas where people have the most difficulty accessing dental care. After consultation with Oral Health Services Tasmania, the Circular Head area was agreed to be the most suitable for stage one of the RFDS Tasmania dental program. The Municipal Council and local community groups, such as Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation, Wyndarra, schools and preschools, health providers and Emmerton Park Aged Care Services, were consulted to increase their awareness, involvement and ownership of the dental program. Oral health promotion are to be incorporated into existing local health promotion services such as the “Mums and Bubs” and “Move Well Eat Well” programs.

To ensure RFDS Tasmania does not duplicate the clinical work of OHST or private-sector dentists, it will screen children and eligible adults and aim to provide treatment to those people currently not receiving dental care. Dental care will be provided by dental therapist and dentist teams via the hire of the local private practice surgery and equipment, and the use of portable dental equipment in local community centres.