Alliance brings dental benefits to Queenslanders
he first patients to be seen by the new Metro North HHS and University of Queensland Oral Health Alliance were welcomed at the Oral Health Centre today, including Sonja who was cared for by Principal Dentist Aus and final year dental student Vinessa. The Alliance continues the proud tradition of the Brisbane Dental Hospital in a state-of-the art facility in the Herston Health Precinct.
More Queenslanders will now receive free public dental care through an Alliance between Metro North Hospital and Health Service (MNHHS) and The University of Queensland.
Metro North Oral Health Services Executive Director Andrew McAuliffe said the Alliance will continue the proud tradition of the Brisbane Dental Hospital, that has provided free dental care since it opened in the 1940s, in a state-of-the art facility in the Herston Health Precinct.
“An extra 8,000 eligible public patients will be able to access free dental treatment at the Oral Health Centre in 2017,” Mr McAuliffe said.
“We’re not only meeting increasing demand for public oral health services, we are also continuing to reduce our wait lists.”
The 165 chair Oral Health Centre will offer the full range of high-quality dental services and oral health technology.
“As well as providing general dental treatments such as x-rays, fillings and extractions, there will be a focus on specialist services including prosthodontics and periodontics,” Mr McAuliffe said.
Executive Dean of UQ’s Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences , Professor Bruce Abernethy, said the Alliance will provide valuable training experience within the public health system for undergraduate and postgraduate students in dentistry.
“The University of Queensland will continue to provide evidence-based clinical education and cutting-edge research for the dentists of tomorrow,” Prof. Abernethy said.
“As part of the Alliance our undergraduate student dentists will train under the supervision of senior practising professionals, while there will also be enhanced access to specialists as part of UQ’s postgraduate clinical training programs.”
More than $3.1 million was allocated in the Queensland State Budget to support the relocation of oral health services from the Brisbane Dental Hospital in Turbot Street to the Oral Health Centre. The relocation will be undertaken in a staged fashion throughout the year.
The Alliance further strengthens the Government’s commitment to position the Herston Health Precinct as the country’s premier health and knowledge precinct.
The Oral Health Centre on Bramston Terrace, Herston is adjacent to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and has direct links to public transport via the Herston Inner Northern Busway station.