LOCAL families are curently saving up to $400 a year per child on dental checkups, with the innovative Smile Squad school dental program continuing to take pressure off the hip pocket.
For families, the price of a visit to the dentist can be a deterrent to regular checkups – but with Smile Squad, maintaining oral health doesn’t need to be a financial burden.
Delivered by mobile teams of dedicated oral health clinicians who travel across the state in bright orange vans, the program provides free check-ups and follow up care, x-rays, teeth cleaning, application of fluoride and dental sealants, fillings, and root canals to school students.
With Term 2 now underway, parents are encouraged to register their child to take part in the program – and it’s now easier than ever, with a new simplified form available in 31 languages making sure parents from any background can provide consent ahead of a visit to their child’s school.
Dental conditions are one of the highest causes of preventable hospitalisations for children. Improving access to dental care is critical, with tooth decay now five times more prevalent than asthma among children.
Smile Squad is one of a suite of programs that will ease the cost-of-living pressures on families including the $400 School Saving Bonus, Glasses for Kids program, school breakfast clubs, discounted student travel, and free-swimming lessons.
More information on the Smile Squad program can be found at health.vic.gov.au/smile-squad.
