Patient Les McLean receives treatment at Bass Coast Health’s dental service at Wonthaggi Hospital from dentist Dr Roshine Linus and assistant Karina Theisinger.
Following Dental Health Week, Bass Coast Health (BCH) has reminded the community they offer a comprehensive public dental service.
BCH said their dental team offers care for eligible children through to adults for free or minimal cost.
The service is at Wonthaggi Hospital and includes an early childhood oral health program that covers everything from check-ups to education about caring for teeth.
This is followed by BCH’s youth dental program, including check-ups and cleans, to fillings and dental devices where prescribed.
“We also offer emergency dental care to address problems of the mouth that arise suddenly and require swift attention,” dental manager Kyshen Tang said.
“We’re helping people to regain quality of life after losing teeth by offering a denture service that enables our patients to enjoy the foods they love again without pain and discomfort.”
The youth program extends to Victorian Government schools through Smile Squad, the Victorian Government's free school dental program. Services are currently being delivered across Victoria by local community dental agencies.
The program is completely free for all Victorian government school students.
For children aged up to 12 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 those children who are not eligible, there is small capped co-payment fee.
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 0-17 years of age 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
- 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, phone 03 5671 3268.
