Rumbalara Cooperative opens showpiece Dental Clinic

The Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative has completed the construction of an impressive new dental health facility at Mooroopna near Shepparton, Victoria.

The modern 4-dental clinic housed in an architecturally designed building is a far cry from the former 3-chair clinic, which was housed in a small portable building on the site.

Rumbalara Practice Manager, Tracey Hearn, said Rumbalara's aim was to provide the highest standards of care to the Rumbalara community in a culturally sensitive setting.

Rumbalara's own dental team had extensive input into the new clinic's planning, including a total re-design of the interior to meet practical clinical needs and streamline service delivery.

The new building also provides a welcoming reception area to both Rumbalara's dental patients and those attending the adjoining medical clinic. Although final landscaping is yet to be completed, the new clinic has been seeing patients since late September.

The Co-op has a very enthusiastic dental team comprising an indigenous practice manager, five dentists, a therapist/hygienist, three full time dental assistants, a senior casual dental assistant and two trainee assistants. A visiting prosthetist also operates out of the facility half a day a week.

The Co-op has successfully trained three indigenous dental assistants, one of whom has gone on to work in other indigenous communities and will be accepting dental placements on rotation from Melbourne Dental School to further assist service delivery and provide practical training for senior dental students.

In addition to the impressive new surroundings, the clinic has been equipped with state-of-the-art dental equipment including four A-dec chairs (with provision for a further two), digital X-ray units, intraoral cameras, W&H Lisa sterilizers and a fully equipped lab.