Dental Health Services Victoria CEO Dr Deborah Cole has welcomed an announcement by the Victorian Government today that $207 million will be provided across the State for dental health care.
The announcement was made by State Health Minister, the Hon. Jill Hennessy MP, who visited the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne.
The announcement included:
- $1.7M for dental chair replacements
- $800K for sterilisation equipment
- $823K for digital radiography (both x-ray units and digital technology).
“This will help us improve patient care and provide timely treatment for those who come through our doors. It will allow us to replace a significant amount of equipment and allow staff to keep doing a brilliant job in meeting the needs of our patients,’ said Dr Cole.
The upgrades include 25 new sterilisers, 17 x-ray machines and 73 more modern dental chairs.
Minister Hennessy said good oral health was the foundation for good overall health.
“We know that lack of access to timely dental care can cause conditions to worsen and can even lead to chronic disease,” she said.
“This new equipment will mean higher quality care, improved safety and better outcomes for patients, with advances in modern technology able to deliver better diagnosis and quicker treatment of dental conditions.”
The announcement coincides with National Dental Health Week, which runs until Sunday 9 August.