People living in regional, rural and remote areas have poorer oral health than those in major cities, with oral health status generally declining as remoteness increases.
Multiple factors including availability of dental and oral health practitioners, geographical location, costs of treatment, water fluoridation and patient preferences and attitudes are all contributing factors.
ADA NSW’s advocacy work includes participating in government inquiries about oral health, promoting oral health in regional and rural NSW, and supporting initiatives to build the rural oral health workforce.
Interviewed on ABC Radio about critical shortage of dentists, February 2025
ADA NSW President Dr Dominic Aouad was interviewed on ABC South East NSW Radio to shine a spotlight on the critical shortage of dentists in regional areas. He also spoke about access to public dental care, the Child Dental Benefits Schedule and the need for a Seniors Dental Benefits Schedule.
Supported Indigenous healthcare service delivery in Bourke, January 2025
We supported the Bourke Aboriginal Corporate Health Service (BACHS) when they were working out what model they would use for service delivery and recruitment of dental professionals. Our collaboration has led to the dental clinic in Bourke being staffed much more frequently.
Attended the Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding, May 2024
We attended the public hearings of the Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding at the community consultation in Dubbo.
We discussed access to dental care, difficulties experienced in the public sector and limitations of the Oral Health Fee for Service Scheme in Western NSW with Commissioner Richard Beasley SC and members of the Inquiry.
Collaborated with the University of Sydney on the Rural Student Shadowing Program, 2024
Recruiting and retaining dentists in regional and rural clinics has been an ongoing challenge for governments, communities and the dental profession.
To help address this issue, we are collaborating with the University of Sydney to provide students an experience of what working in regional communities is like.
ADA NSW played a significant role in recruiting volunteer private dental practices for the Rural Student Shadowing Program. These practices host students for an observational placement during their rural clinical placement.
By exposing students to the private practice work environment and lifestyle of regional and rural dentistry, we hope more students will be encouraged to pursue a career outside metropolitan areas. ADA NSW continues to support this program.
