Bass Coast Health (BCH) Dental team is passionate about helping everyone to access dental care to enjoy healthy teeth and gums throughout life.
This Dental Health Week, 5-11 August, did you know that BCH’s comprehensive public dental service provides care for eligible children through to adults for free or minimal cost?
Young patient Gemma Ayton described the BCH Dental team as “terrific”.
“They’re the best dentists in the world because they help me with my teeth,” she said.
“They help me to remember to brush my teeth and they’ve stopped the pain in my tooth because I had a cavity and it got fixed.”
The service’s Early Childhood Oral Health Program sets children up for a lifetime of dental health by providing everything from check-ups to education about teeth care.
This is followed by the specialised Youth Dental Program and the next stage, general adult dental services involving the whole suite of care, from check-ups and cleans, to fillings and dental devices.
“We are also here for those dental emergencies when you need prompt care to address a problem that may become worse,” Dental Manager Kyshen Tang said.
“Our denture service helps people to regain quality of life after losing teeth, so that our patients can enjoy the foods they love again without pain and discomfort.”
You will find the dental service at Wonthaggi Hospital, 235 Graham Street, Wonthaggi.
BCH’s youth program covers Victorian Government schools through Smile Squad, the government's free school dental program.
Smile Squad is led by the Department of Health and Dental Health Services Victoria, with input from the Department of Education. Services are currently being delivered across Victoria by local community dental agencies.
The program is free for all Victorian government school students. For children aged up to 12 (inclusive) there is no waiting list and the service is free for concession card-holders. Bulk-billed treatment is available for all children eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.
For children who are ineligible, there is a small capped co-payment free. Emergency appointments are free.
Teenagers aged 13-17 don’t need to wait either. The service is free for concession card-holders and the service is bulk-billed for non-card-holders eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.
Non-card-holders aged 0-17 years are also eligible if they are in out-of-home care provided by the Children Youth and Families Division of the Department of Human Services, or youth justice clients in custodial care.
Adults must hold a current Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card. Capped costs and waiting times may apply.
For more information or to make an appointment with the BCH Dental service, please phone the Dental reception team on 5671 3268.