ADA NSW / Australian Red Cross Dental Days

Australian Red Cross Dental days are conducted quarterly at the ADA NSW Centre for Professional Development in St Leonards. Patients are referred to the clinic by case workers from the Australian Red Cross Refugee Services. All patients are asylum seekers who have applied to the Australian Government for a protection visa, seeking recognition as regugees. They come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and at different stages of the refugee determination process. 

Treatment focuses mainly only acute care as well as general and preventative services. In addition oral health education is provided to all patients together with any attending family members. Treatment begins with an examination and appropriate x-rays taken if possible before presenting problems are addressed. Where time permits other dental needs are attended to including extractions, fillings and cleaning.

The clinic is coordinated by staff from the Centre for Professional Development and all dental treatment is undertaken by volunteer dentists and dental assistants.

By May 2010 the clinic will have provided treatment to more than 260 patients and many more will have been provided with oral health education.