The expansion of the Royal Flying Doctor Service's East Coast dental service has been brought forward.
Minister for Health, Mental Health, and Wellbeing, Guy Barnett, said that the expansion had been brought forward as a result of negotiations between the Government and the RFDS.
"The early expansion of the RFDS' dental service is fantastic news for the residents of the East Coast," Minister Barnett said.
"The original election promise, under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future, was to commence this service in the 2025/26 financial year; we have now been able to strike an agreement with the RFDS to bring this forward.
"Currently, the RFDS provides some dental services to the East Coast out of Swansea, as well as a mobile service which visits schools in the region.
"The RFDS has recently acquired a second dental truck, and as a result of the new agreement they will now be able to operate an expanded dental service for concession card holders and children right down the East Coast, from St Helens to Nubeena.
"The fast-tracking of this dental service growth is more proof of the Government's commitment to improving health outcomes for all Tasmanians, no matter where you live.
"It is expected that the expanded RFDS East Coast dental service will commence later this year as staff recruitment begins."
RFDS CEO, Nicole Henty, said their dental service was an important program of the RFDS' services to rural and remote Tasmanians.
"We have been providing dental services to the West Coast of Tasmania in partnership with the Tasmanian Government since August 2021. Over that time we have provided approximately 1,230 visits and delivered 12,749 treatments to patients in need," Ms Henty said.
"We're pleased that in the election the Government committed to not only continuing to fund this service for the next four years, but also to provide additional funding to enable us to expand our offering on the East Coast.
"In partnership with the Tasmanian Government we are also planning on establishing new services in Central Tasmania, and the Huon Valley."
Minister Barnett said this investment will add to our existing commitments to improve dental outcomes for Tasmanians across the State.
"While the waiting list for oral health care did peak during COVID, it is now almost 4000 lower compared to 2021, and continuing to trend downwards compared to the same time last year – thanks to our $4 million commitment to provide an additional 20,000 dental appointments to the community," the Minister said.
"We will continue to invest and do all we can to ensure all Tasmanians have access to the healthcare they expect, and deserve.
