- More than 600 children in Central Great Southern have accessed free oral care through Early Years Partnership CGS Dental Health Project
- EYP is a 10-year collaboration between the Cook Labor Government, Minderoo Foundation and four diverse Western Australian communities
- 129 children have also received emergency dental treatment closer to home
A dental health initiative funded through the Early Years Partnership (EYP) has reached a significant milestone, with more than 600 children aged 0-4 years in the Central Great Southern region having accessed free oral care.
Since the start of the CGS Dental Health Project in 2023 – which is reducing rates of dental decay in children – a further 129 children have also received emergency dental treatment closer to home, avoiding long trips to Perth.
The project forms part of the EYP, which is a unique 10-year collaboration between the Cook Labor Government, the Minderoo Foundation and four communities of Central Great Southern, Derby, Armadale West and Bidyadanga.
The EYP aims to improve the development, health and learning outcomes of children aged 0-4 in those communities.
Improving dental health was identified by the CGS community as a priority in their EYP plan, Children Growing Strong , which highlighted barriers to accessing oral health care close to home.
The project established a paediatric dental outreach service, which is delivered three times a year by the University of Western Australia Dental School in collaboration with WA Country Health Service (WACHS) and Amity Health. The service provides free dental screenings, treatments, oral health education, and referrals as needed.
It can be accessed by children at early childhood education centres, playgroups, kindergartens, and community events.
The CGS Dental Health Project is one of a range of initiatives being delivered under the EYP in the region to improve child wellbeing and school readiness, with others including:
- A new Katanning Early Childhood Hub to improve access to essential services for local families;
- The delivery of a new refuge, Kareba House, for women and children escaping family and domestic violence;
- Improved transport options for local families to attend early learning and child health appointments; and
- Perpetrator intervention and behaviour change programs.
The EYP forms part of the Cook Labor Government’s long-standing commitment to creating thriving communities and delivering quality infrastructure across Western Australia.
As stated by Early Childhood Minister Sabine Winton:
“The first five years of a child’s life are so important. It is during this time that they build the foundations for lifelong learning, health, and wellbeing.
“The CGS Dental Health Project is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through the Early Years Partnership, by enabling communities to lead their own development based on their unique needs.
“This project is making a genuine difference in hundreds of children’s lives, ensuring they have access to vital services close to home.
“I want to congratulate everyone involved in the CGS Dental Health Project on achieving this incredible milestone.”
Comments attributed to Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
“Good oral health from an early age can make a real difference to a child’s health and wellbeing as they grow.
“For families in regional communities, bringing services into places children and families already know and use can remove barriers to care.
“Reaching more than 600 children is a wonderful milestone and shows the value of delivering health services in ways that respond to the needs of local families.”
Comments attributed to Minderoo Foundation CEO John Hartman:
“Good dental hygiene is important for children’s overall health, wellbeing, and quality of life.
“For children in the Central Great Southern, it’s not only the access to dental care that is challenging, but also the cost and ensuring services are culturally appropriate.
“The Early Years Partnership’s Dental Health Program cuts through this by bringing oral health services to communities who need it. This is why the EYP was set up – to empower local leaders across Western Australia to come up with innovative solutions that deliver real impact for them.
“This partnership is a proving ground for community-led impact, showing what can be done when local knowledge is backed by governments and philanthropy.”
