The Dental Services Department of the Western Region Health Centre is a public clinic that provides emergency and general care to eligible clients.
The Integrated Oral Health Program provides dental services under the Victorian Public Dental Program.
Who can access our Services?
• All children from birth to grade 6• Students in years 7 - 12 and School leavers under 18 years of age, who hold or whose parents hold a valid pensioner concession or health care card
• All children enrolled in Special or Special Development Schools
• All children under 18 years of age who are in Residential Care provided by the Office of Children
• All Newly Arrived Refugees and Asylum Seekers
• Persons aged 18 years and above, who hold a valid pensioner concession or health care card
What costs are involved?
Public dental services are subsidised by the government. Fees paid by clients vary depending on eligibility status and services provided.
What type of Dental care is offered?
We offer general and emergency dental care; and also removable plastic dentures, if required.
If you have a dental emergency, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can assess your condition. This assists us to identify what services can be offered. We are not always able to assist all eligible people requiring emergency dental care. If we are unable to offer assistance we will refer you to the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne.
Children are offered the next available appointment for general care. After treatment is completed, they will be placed on recall and contacted when due for their next check up (children are seen either once a year or once every two years depending on their need).
For general care adults will be put on a wait list. Once your name comes to the top of the wait list we will remove you from the list and contact you with an offer of care. It is important to contact us as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on receiving dental care. Please contact us if you change your address or phone number so that we can update your details.
If you require dentures, we will assess your priority. You will either be offered the next available appointment or placed on the denture waitlist. If people have existing dentures and/or any natural teeth you will need to have general care completed before being assessed for dentures.
The wait times for dental care change constantly so please contact our clinic for current information.
Eligible clients may be referred to the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne for specialist dental care. A dental practitioner must first assess the problem. Please note, waiting times and additional costs are involved.
Who provides the Dental care?
Dental care is provided by our team of dental professionals, including:
• Dentists - provide general dental treatments for clients of all ages
• Dental Prosthetists - make appliances such as dentures, orthodontic plates and mouth guards
• Dental Therapists - provide a range of general dental treatment for clients up to 25 years of age
• Dental Hygienists - use preventative, educational and therapeutic methods for controlling oral diseases to help patients achieve and maintain oral health
• Dental Nurses - assist dental practitioners with the provision of dental care
Where is Care provided?
We have two clinics:
• 78 Paisley Street, Footscray
~ Mondays to Fridays, 8:15am to 5:00pm
~ We also offer an after hours service on Tuesday and Thursday nights; and Saturday mornings
(by appointment only)
• 2 Geelong Road, Footscray
~ Mondays to Fridays, 8:15am to 5:00pm
How to contact us:
Please call us on 03 8398 4100
If you need emergency dental care outside our hours please contact the royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne on 9341 1040, situated at 720 Swanston Street, Carlton.
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