Community Outreach
The Community Outreach Dental Program provides dental and other health services for people who have suffered homelessness, or have difficulty accessing conventional care.
Driven by the Adelaide Dental School, the Community Outreach Dental Program attends to hundreds of patients—and provides our dental and oral health students an additional 1040 clinical hours—every year.
The program’s dental clinic was launched in September 2011, and operates weekdays within the Light Square Common Ground complex in Adelaide’s West End, which also provides accommodation and a range of other services for the homeless community.
Many University of Adelaide staff, students, private dentists and allied health professionals volunteer their time to provide this valuable service.
Community benefit
The Community Outreach Dental Program reflects our school’s deep commitment to ensuring thinkers and professionals of the future have a strong sense of social justice and are dedicated to improving the quality of life of marginalised and vulnerable people in our community.
There are many known links between dental and general health problems, yet many Australians—particularly those in low socio-economic areas or experiencing homelessness—can not access basic dental care when they need it. Here in South Australia, there are over 7500 homeless people, for whom poor oral health is widespread and treatment waiting lists are often measured in years.
Through our outreach program we’re doing what we can to improve their situation.
A life-changing experience for our students
The benefits of the outreach program are magnified through its positive impact on the next generation of dental and oral health professionals. The project provides Adelaide Dental School students with a priceless opportunity to practise in a non-traditional setting while broadening their understanding of wider community needs.
Additionally, the program opens up important research opportunities through the collection of data flowing from constant interactions with marginalised members of our community.
Like to become a program partner?
The facility was established with Federal Government funding but now relies on donations to continue providing dental care. We’d be delighted to have your, or your organisation’s, support to help maintain and further develop this groundbreaking initiative.
To learn more about how you can get involved, please contact:
Dr. Harry Perkins
Community Outreach Coordinator
Phone: 0467 812 966
Email: codp@adelaide.edu.au
How to donate
We are extremely grateful for any donations made to the program. To make a secure donation to the Community Outreach Dental Program, please complete the online donation form.
To discuss how you can make a gift to the Community Outreach Dental Program, please contact our Development team on +61 8 8313 5800 or development@adelaide.edu.au
I don’t have to hide my smile anymore!Maureen, early clinic patient