Free dental care for kids at Bribie Island

Image: Dental Assistant Carol Penuela Pineda and Oral Health Therapist Corrina Beel.

Children on Bribie Island will have access to free emergency and general dental care closer to home with the arrival of a new dental van, which is part of the Metro North Health School Dental Service.

The van will be at the Bribie Island Satellite Health Centre.

The School Dental Service will share registration forms to all surrounding schools in the next few weeks.

It will be free for children and adolescents (0-17 years) who meet the following criteria:

• Eligible for Medicare and aged between 4 years to the end of Year 10, or
• Eligible for Medicare and the child dental benefits schedule (CDBS) (0–18 years), or
• Eligible for Medicare and be listed on a valid Centrelink Concession Card (all ages).

Metro North Oral Health Service School Dental Service Director Dr Tarini Singh says the service is excited about expanding its services on the island.

“Teeth can last a lifetime, with the proper care, and the risk of tooth decay can be reduced with good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups,” Dr Singh says.

“Our dental team consists of experienced dentists, oral health therapists, dental therapists, dental assistants and administration staff.

“Using the latest technology, we deliver free general dental care such as examining teeth and gums, and providing preventative advice for keeping teeth healthy and tooth cleaning, x-rays, fillings and tooth removal.

“The team can also provide emergency dental for toothaches, knocked teeth, mouth or jaw pain, swelling or bleeding.

“The dental van means that our community will have better access to high quality oral health care in their local area.”

The School Dental Service covers a network of school dental clinics at primary schools at Caboolture, Ferny Hills, Bracken Ridge, Strathpine, Humpybong, Kippa Ring and Kallangur, as well as mobile dental vans at other locations.

It delivers about 12,000 oral health appointments each year to children and adolescents across north Brisbane and Moreton Bay.

Read more about the School Dental Service at School Dental Service | Metro North Health or phone 1300 300 850 during business hours.

Healthy teeth and gum tips

• Brush well - Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Eat well - Eat healthy foods and reduce the intake, amount and frequency of sugary foods
• Drink well - Drink lots of water and limit intake of sugary drinks
• Play well - Wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports
• Stay well - Have regular dental check-ups.