According to news shared by the New South Wales Health authorities, patients at 15 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) across New South Wales (NSW), Australia, will benefit from improved dental services following a funding boost worth AU$1,705,000.
These one-off grants will see selected metropolitan, regional and rural ACCHOs replace, update or purchase additional dental equipment such as an intraoral camera, prosthetist services dental chairs and x-ray machines.
“Oral health can influence general health. A healthy mouth ensures people can eat, speak and socialise without discomfort and embarrassment. A targeted funding boost to allow ACCHOs to update or replace their equipment helps address disparities experienced in vulnerable population groups and will have a positive impact on the overall population’s health and wellbeing,” said Minister for Health Ryan Park.
The additional funding will ensure ACCHOs can tailor their services as needed, allowing them to both improve and increase their ability to provide holistic health care to the community now and into the future.
“The oral health teams working in ACCHOs are highly skilled dental practitioners, managers, and support staff and with this additional funding they’ll now have the latest equipment,” Minister Park added.
ACCHOs are incorporated Aboriginal organisations initiated by and based in local Aboriginal communities. They deliver holistic and culturally appropriate health services to their communities.
The NSW Government said that it remains committed to its partnership with the Aboriginal health sector and funds 25 ACCHOs to provide dental care for patients across the state.
“We are committed to ensuring people can continue to have access to oral health services that are culturally responsive, safe and of high quality. This targeted funding ensures services meet the unique needs of the local Aboriginal communities they are within,” said Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris.
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