The project is a collaboration between the WA state government (Health, Education and Communities), Minderoo Foundation, the Australian government (via Connected Beginnings), UWA Dental School, WA Country Health Service (WACHS), North Metropolitan Health Service’s Smiling Starts Early Childhood Dental Program, Oral Health Centre of WA, Rural Health West, Southwest Aboriginal Medical Service, Badgebup Aboriginal Corporation, Smart Start, Amity Health, and local community organisations.

Challenge

Prior to the project, CGS had no dedicated dental services for children under five, resulting in significantly higher rates of preventable dental hospitalisations up to 2.85 times the state average in Katanning.

Solution

The project introduced:

  • Paediatric dental outreach services delivered three times a year to early childhood centres and community events
  • Local surgical dental services at the Katanning Health Service, reducing the need for families to travel over 300km
  • Teledentistry and workforce training, improving access and building local capacity
  • Culturally safe practices and co-designed service delivery with local First Nations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) communities.

Impact

From March 2023 to August 2026, 600 children have accessed dental care through a series of nine week-long outreach visits, reaching 85 per cent of the eligible population. Of the children who received care, approximately 20 per cent of were First Nations children.

The project has had a significant impact on children, families and local services, including:

  • 83 children received local dental surgery since September 2023, including 30 per cent who were First Nations, 18 per cent from CaLD communities and 37 per cent identified as being at risk.
  • Increased awareness and access to the Child Dental Benefits Scheme (have recouped $39,000 through this program).
  • Improved clinical outcomes and reduced fear of dental care among children.
  • Workforce development and training opportunities through immersive placements for UWA dental students, with some choosing to return to rural practice as dentists.
  • Improved capability within the local allied health workforce to sustain oral health promotion and support for families.

Success Factors

The project’s success is largely due to strong partnerships and collaborative service delivery, achieved through:

  • Including health professionals, First Nations organisations, and government representatives in a project-focused local working group.
  • Responsive service design based on community feedback.
  • Promotion and service delivery through respected cultural events, such as the Katanning Harmony Festival and Welcome Baby to Country, helping to build trust and engage more families with services.
  • Simplifying registration and service engagement processes to reduce access barriers.

Sustainability

The WACHS EYP Health team are working to embed the proven model of dental care in the Central Great Southern, through:

  • Alignment with the statewide rollout of the Smiling Starts Early Childhood Dental Program.
  • Securing ongoing funding and the creation of a dental health coordinator position within WACHS, the first of its kind in WA.
  • Formalising service agreements with program partners.

Contact EYP Central Great Southern

Michelle Duke
Project Director Early Years Partnership
Department of Communities
0432 836 502
michelle.duke@communities.wa.gov.au

Rebecca Clarkson
Head of Early Years Partnership
Minderoo Foundation
0478 845 665
rclarkson@minderoo.org

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet, work and live, and recognise their continuing connection and care to land, water and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.