Dental investment benefits Wollongong Aboriginal communities

02 August 2024

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​Dental services for Aboriginal people in Wollongong will be improved as part of a funding boost to Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service.

Minister for Health Ryan Park has provided 15 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) grants totalling $1,705,000 to help replace, update or purchase equipment and deliver additional dental services.

ACCHOs are incorporated Aboriginal organisations initiated by and based in a local Aboriginal communities. They deliver holistic and culturally appropriate health services to their communities.

Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service will receive $37,000 to purchase updated dental equipment.

The additional funding will ensure ACCHOs can tailor their services as needed, allowing them to both improve and increase their ability to provide holistic health care to the community now and into the future.

The NSW Government remains committed to its partnership with the Aboriginal health sector and funds 25 ACCHOs to provide dental care for patients across the state.

Further information on public dental services can be found online​.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

"Oral health can influence general health. A healthy mouth ensures people can eat, speak and socialise without discomfort and embarrassment.

"A targeted funding boost to allow ACCHOs to update or replace their equipment helps address disparities experienced in vulnerable population groups and will have a positive impact on the overall population's health and wellbeing.

"The oral health teams working in ACCHOs are highly skilled dental practitioners, managers, and support staff and with this additional funding they'll now have the latest equipment."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris:

"We're committed to ensuring people can continue to have access to oral health services that are culturally responsive, safe and of high quality.

"This targeted funding ensures services meet the unique needs of the local Aboriginal communities they're within."

Quotes attributable to the Member for Wollongong Paul Scully:

"The oral health team working in Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service are highly skilled dental practitioners, managers, and support staff and with this additional funding they'll be able to update equipment so they can better meet the needs of their patients."

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