Students at low-fee non-government schools in East Gippsland are set to receive free dental care, following the announcement of a phased expansion of the State Government’s Smile Squad program.
Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh announced recently that the rollout is underway, with St Joseph’s Primary School in Orbost among an initial 54 metro and regional schools across Victoria invited to participate.
The Smile Squad initiative aims to ease cost-of-living pressures on families.
Private dental checkups can cost parents up to $400 a year per child, but under the program, diagnostic examinations and follow-up treatments are provided at no charge.
Delivered by mobile teams of oral care clinicians on-site at schools, the service allows students to receive care without requiring parents to take time off work or school for appointments.
Services include check-ups, X-rays, teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, fillings, and root canals.
“Labor is looking after kids’ teeth to save families money and ensure better long-term health,” Mr McIntosh said.
Since its commencement in 2019, the Smile Squad has visited more than 1000 public schools across Victoria, treated more than 175,000 students, and distributed over one million oral health packs.
This new expansion marks the first phase of the program’s rollout beyond the public system.
Following the initial phase, a gradual rollout will continue to extend the Smile Squad service to all low-fee non-government schools statewide.
