More than 370 homeless people were given free dental treatments as part of a pilot program co-ordinated by Northern Melbourne Medicare Local.
Eight homeless services and 12 public dentists participated in the trial, which gave participants a credit-card sized Priority Access Card that entitled them to immediate dental care without the barrier of waiting lists and waiving any co-payments.
Dianella at Craigieburn and Broadmeadows, along with Plenty Valley Community Health centres at South Morang and Mill Park, were among the dental services taking part in the second phase of the four-month trial, which ended on February 28.
Dianella’s general manager of dental services Sachidanand Raju said 39 people, who were homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, were treated by the centres’ eight dentists.
He said while Dianella has always given priority to homeless people requiring dental services, the trial ensured vital health benefits to local homeless people in urgent need.
“The health needs, especially dental, of the homeless are specific and often urgent,” Dr Raju said.
“Some of the major challenges with homelessness include regular contact and remembering appointments, but working with referral agencies assists overcome these issues.”
He said another barrier for many homeless people is the fear they will need teeth extracted.
Al, a 40-year-old homeless man and substance abuser, was too self-conscious to smile because of his decaying teeth.
Al, who did not want his surname name used, was referred to the Priority Access Card trial and taken to his dentist by a nurse.
After explaining that he didn’t want his teeth removed, the dentist offered to save some of Al’s teeth with fillings.
A report on the dental trial recommended it be expanded across the state when new Primary Health Networks start on July 1.
