Congratulations to the Oral Health Services Tasmania (OHST) Digital Dentures project team for winning a national award that recognises its nation-leading technology.
OHST is the overall winner in the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) national Project Management Achievement Awards 2024 (ICT/Telecommunications projects category).
Minister for Health, Jacquie Petrusma, said this achievement is a testament to the hard work the team has put into delivering the project.
"OHST has significantly invested in digital denture technology in Launceston, Devonport, Burnie and Hobart, which involved the procurement of 3D printing, milling and design technology to construct dentures digitally rather than by hand," Minister Petrusma said.
"Over the past two years, the Digital Dentures project has produced more comfortable, precise and durable dentures while reducing the number of patient appointments needed to construct dentures and appliances.
"The Tasmanian Government has supported the Digital Denture Service to produce an additional 25,350 appointments for Tasmanian patients requiring dental care.
"I commend the team for their dedication and hard work in delivering this project and utilising state-of-the-art technology to help improve people's lives.
"As part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future, our Government is committed to enabling more access to oral healthcare across the State."
Digital Dentures project lead, Rhiannon Thomas, said that since the introduction of this technology, over 4,000 people have received a new denture from OHST using the digital technology.
"This project has saved these patients' travel time and created more capacity to deliver more dental appointments," Ms Thomas said.
"Good oral health is fundamental to people's general health and wellbeing – enabling people to eat and speak without pain, discomfort or embarrassment."
The national winners were announced at the AIPM gala dinner in Canberra.
