The Central Great Southern Early Years Partnership (EYP) Dental Health Project has won the Best Practice in Health and Wellbeing award at the 2025 Institute of Public Administration Australia WA Achievement Awards. The annual awards recognise excellence in the public service.
The project delivers dental screening and preventative care to children aged four and under across Broomehill, Gnowangerup, Katanning, Kojonup, and Tambellup. Services are provided at early childhood centres, playgroups, kindergartens, and community events.
A paediatric dental surgical service was also established at Katanning Health Service in partnership with Perth Children’s Hospital, providing urgent care closer to home. Since September 2023, the program has treated over 500 children, including more than 80 who received surgery locally instead of travelling to Perth.
The initiative is a collaboration between WA Country Health Service, The University of Western Australia, Amity Health, Perth Children’s Hospital, and the Smiling Starts Early Childhood Dental Program. It operates under the 10-year Early Years Partnership, which involves the WA Departments of Health, Communities, and Education, along with the Commonwealth Government and Minderoo Foundation.
WA Country Health Service Early Years Partnership Program Officer Donna Woithe said the award reflects the project’s strong community focus.
“The Central Great Southern EYP Dental Health Project shows what can be achieved when services are designed to meet the community’s needs,” Woithe said. “Our partners, stakeholders, and funders have worked tirelessly to make this a success.”
The project was also recently named a finalist at the 2025 WA Health Excellence Awards.