Culturally safe care
DHSV recently held the second round of training for Aboriginal Health Practitioners (AHPs) on fluoride varnish application. This initiative is set to boost culturally safe access to preventive dental treatments for Aboriginal children in Victoria and reduce tooth decay.
The training ran for four days and included simulations and hands-on practice in a clinical setting, led by our partners at RMIT. The dedicated group of AHPs will undertake one final assessment before applying their new skills in their local communities.
A range of AHPs from various Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations participated in the training, including Dhauwurd Wurrung Elderly and Community Health Service, First Peoples' Health and Wellbeing, Mallee District Aboriginal Services, and Ramahyuck Gippsland Family Practice.
Healthier teeth for Victoria’s Aboriginal communities
In further positive news, DHSV welcomes the recent announcement from the Victorian Government that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders of all ages can now access culturally safe fluoride varnish services.
The application of fluoride varnish by Aboriginal Health Practitioners was previously restricted to children aged between 3 and 17 years of age, but it can now be applied to First Nations Victorians of all ages. This will help to improve oral health outcomes in a culturally sensitive way.
