The Tasmanian Government has delivered free dental appointments to hundreds of children and concession card holders across the State's rural and remote communities, thanks to a partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).
As part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future, the Tasmanian Government is providing funding over four years for the RFDS to operate an expanded dental service for concession card holders and children.
Minister for Health, Jacquie Petrusma, said the service expansion will help more Tasmanians to access dental care in the right place at the right time – no matter where they live.
"The expansion of the RFDS' dental services is great news for Tasmanians living in rural and remote parts of the State, who are now able to access care sooner and closer to home," Minister Petrusma said.
"RFDS dental services are now available on the West Coast and at even more locations on the East Coast of Tasmania, along with Central Tasmania, including Campbell Town for the first time.
"Hundreds of appointments have been delivered since July last year, with 3,500 dental treatments delivered from fixed clinics in Swansea and mobile units in other locations such as Triabunna and St Marys.
"Pleasingly, the capacity of the RFDS dental service is expected to double in the 2025-26 Financial Year, when appointments will also commence out of Dover for the Huon Valley community.
"This partnership is part of our wider plan to boost access to dental services and ease pressure on the public dental system, which includes our $4 million commitment to provide an additional 20,000 dental appointments to the community."
