Hamilton is now home to a new Awabakal Dental Clinic following the official opening of the $400,000 facility this week.

The state-of-the-art centre, located on the corner of Samdon and Denison streets, will operate in partnership with Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) to provide bulk-billed dental services to the local Aboriginal community.

With staff and HNELHD representatives in attendance, Awabakal Ltd CEO Raylene Gordon, HNELHD Oral Health Unit’s Dr Lanny Chor, Newcastle state MP Tim Crakanthorp and City of Newcastle councillor Deahnna Richardson “did the honours” on Wednesday by cutting the ribbon during a special ceremony.

Previously, the clinic boasted two chairs working out of a small section of the Awabakal Hamilton Medical Clinic.

The new-look facility, funded by NSW Ministry of Health – Oral Health Unit, via the Centre for Aboriginal Health, was custom-built to meet the demand of local oral health needs.

“We’ve been trying to get this off the ground for some time,” Ms Gordon said.

“So, it’s an important day for us – and I believe it’s one of the best clinics around.

“This is a collaboration between Awabakal and Hunter New England Local Health District that’s about making dental care more affordable for Indigenous people.

“Good oral hygiene is directly linked to good overall health.

“Poor dental care can impact on lots of nutrition and lifestyle issues.

“If you have no teeth, you can’t eat.

“So, we’re proud of what we’ve achieved.

“And, it’s a nice addition to what we can offer people.”

Ms Gordon said the dental clinic’s wait list had reached three months, prior to the opening of the new facility, which meant preventative oral health suffered, too.

“Even though we’re slowly getting through that, we tend to turn over patients fairly quickly now with the extra dentist,” she told the Newcastle Weekly.

“There is a huge gap in services available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the community in general.

“But, HNELHD has been great in relation to this project.

“Dr Lanny Chor was instrumental in making it happen.

“We can’t thank him – and his team – enough.

“We’ve listened to the community about improving health services for Indigenous people.

“And, I believe, this is a sustainable model.

“I’m sure others will follow our lead.

“Along with culturally appropriate health care, this partnership has also resulted in a number of career pathways for young Indigenous people, creating much-needed job opportunities in the health industry.

“So, this is definitely a positive step forward.”

Tips to care for your teeth

• Eat well – Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods, avoid snacking on sugary and sticky foods between meals.
• Drink well – Tap water is best drunk between meals and before bed. Avoid acidic or sugary drinks between meals.
• Clean well – Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, especially before bed.
• Play well – Protect your teeth with a professionally fitted mouthguard or full-face helmet when playing sport.
• Stay well – Exercise regularly, avoid smoking, limit alcohol.

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