Central Great Southern Early Years Partnership Dental Health Project finalist in WA Health Excellence Awards

A project that helps to ensure the dental health of young children in rural towns isn’t left behind has been recognised as a finalist in the 2025 WA Health Excellence Awards.

The Central Great Southern Early Years Partnership Dental Health Project was named as one of four finalists in the rural and remote health care category on September 15.

Run by a collaboration of community-based services and delivered by the WA Country Health Service, the project serves as a roaming dental practice, visiting young children in Broomehill, Gnowangerup, Katanning, Kojonup, and Tambellup.

Since its establishment in September 2023, the project has treated more than 420 young patients in need of vital care, 72 of whom received surgery.

As well as urgent treatment, the service offers free dental screenings, treatment and surgeries to children aged up to four.

The dental health project has also brought new skills to the country towns, with specialist paediatric dentists Dr Jilen Patel and Dr Lisa Bowdin having now trained several allied health staff, nurses and Aboriginal health staff to improve early identification of issues within the towns.

The project has fielded dental students from the University of WA, who have also taken part in the project to gain rural experience.

Central Great Southern Early Years Partnership co-chair Jo Webb said the project has been well received in the community.

“We’ve received some wonderful feedback from local families, which is a testament to the collaborative effort that has gone into creating a service that meets the unique needs of this community,” she said.

The Dental Health Project is delivered through the Early Years Partnership, with funding from the Minderoo Foundation and Rural Health West, in partnership with local services and community organisations such as Amity Health.

The project will run against the WACHS Telehealth Childbirth and Parenting Education Program, WACHS Virtual Clinical Pharmacy Service, and WA Teletrial Team for the award, the winner of which will be announced at a gala dinner on November 25.