West Moreton oral therapist Jasmin Barrie outside the school dental van in Leichhardt State School.
For more than a century, Queensland’s mobile dental clinics have helped transform children’s oral health by making care more accessible.
You might not know that these clinics started simply as a dental truck rolling onto school grounds in the early 1900s before evolving into a rail clinic to reach even the most remote communities in Queensland.
Today, 135 fixed and mobile dental vans continue this commitment to preventative oral health care by providing dental services for children across Queensland schools.
One standout is the mobile dental clinic at Leichhardt State School in Ipswich.
Painted bright red and adorned with First Nations artwork, it’s impossible to miss among the school’s neutral-toned buildings.
“It’s more inviting for the children, rather than the sterile-looking white vans we had before,” said oral health therapist Jasmin Barrie.
With 17 years in West Moreton Hospital and Health Service’s school dental van program under her belt, Jasmin has heard her fair share of amusing questions from curious young patients.
“I’ve had kids ask if I live in the van,” she says with a laugh. “They think of it like a caravan and wonder where I sleep. It’s cute.”
Inside, the van is a fully equipped dental clinic, complete with a dental chair, x-ray, light, and essential tools. Bright animal stickers line the walls, reinforcing the van’s welcoming atmosphere.
“When children step into the van, we want it to feel fun and positive,” Jasmin said.
“We take the time to make them comfortable and show them that getting their teeth checked isn’t scary.”
Alarmingly, around half of Queensland children aged five to 10 experience decay in their baby teeth—a statistic that highlights the importance of early intervention.
The state’s fixed and mobile dental clinics aim to foster good early oral health habits that will hopefully continue into adulthood and are also a game-changer for busy families by increasing accessibility and convenience.
“These clinics are free for eligible children, providing checkups, routine dental care, preventive advice and follow-up care,” West Moreton Health Principal Oral Health Therapist Sandra McFarlane said.
“Parents with time constraints don’t have to worry about taking their children out of school for dental care when the School Dental Service is visiting the school.”
Boy brings his stuffed toy lion as a comfort to his dental van appointment.
The state’s dental teams play a pivotal role in delivering early treatment while teaching children essential oral hygiene habits that will provide lifelong benefits.
"Timely access to public oral healthcare can have lasting benefits for children’s health, education, and quality of life,” Sandra said.
"When children visit a school dental van, they learn how often to brush, the impact of different foods on their teeth, when to see a dentist and much more.
"Conveying dental knowledge in a fun and relaxed environment is key to empowering children and their parents.
“Good oral health prevents dental disease and contributes to better nutrition, communication, and self-esteem—all crucial for a healthy, fulfilling life.
“A healthy mouth in childhood translates to a healthy mouth in adulthood,” Sandra said.
For children to be eligible for free public dental care in Queensland they must: |
|---|
- be a Queensland resident or attend a Queensland school; and,
- be eligible for Medicare; and,
- meet at least one of the following criteria:
- be aged four years or older and have not completed Year 10; or,
- be eligible for the Medicare Child Dental Benefits Schedule; or,
- hold, or be listed as a dependent on, a valid Centrelink concession card
Practical ways that people can strive for better oral health include: |
|---|
- Choose water (drink well)
- Limit sugary snacks (eat well)
- Wear a mouthguard (play safe)
- Brush 2 times days a time (brush well) and floss
- Have regular dental check-ups (stay well)