• A recent survey revealed a decline in dental visits during COVID-19, according to the Australian Dental Association
• The Charles Sturt Dental Clinics in Wagga Wagga and Albury-Wodonga have capacity to take new patients
• Oral Health Therapy students offer supervised services to members of the public

Charles Sturt University Oral Health Therapists have solutions as to how residents in Wagga Wagga and Albury-Wodonga can break bad oral hygiene habits formed during COVID-19 and improve their oral health.

A recent survey of 25,000 people by the Australian Dental Association (ADA) revealed that one in three people postponed dental treatment in the past 12 months.

A quarter of participants said they avoided seeing a dentist for five years while 40 per cent have not visited a dentist in two years.

Students and supervisors in the Bachelor of Oral Health (Therapy and Hygiene) have been providing care to rural and regional communities since 2009.

The on-campus student clinics at Charles Sturt in Wagga Wagga and Albury-Wodonga provide students with learning experiences while offering affordable dental services to the community.

Associate Lecturer in Oral Health Therapy with the School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences Miss Tori Tanswell said it was unsurprising that COVID-19 and the increased cost of living has compromised oral hygiene maintenance.

Ms Tanswell said that the student clinics can help get people back on track.

“We know that COVID-19 has been a big disruption to many things in our lives, especially how we visit the dentist,” she said.

“The student clinics at Charles Sturt in Wagga Wagga and Albury-Wodonga have the capacity to take on new patients.”

The ADA survey revealed that 66 per cent of respondents were unaware that poor oral health can impact medical conditions.

Ms Tanswell said the student facilities on campus support the teachings of the Bachelor of Oral Health (Therapy and Hygiene) degree and produce Oral Health Therapists who make up an important part of the dental care team.

“Oral Health Therapists are experts in preventing dental decay and gum diseases and are often considered the first port of call in the dental team,” she said.

“The Oral Health Therapy students at the Charles Sturt dental clinic provide preventative dental care for people in all life stages.

“For adults and children of all ages, we provide check-ups, cleans and X-rays and for people under 26 years of age, we provide restorative treatments, such as simple fillings and extractions of baby teeth.”

Wagga Wagga resident Hugo Ahumada has been taking his family, including his children Antonia, 19, Leonor, 16, and Raphael, 9, to the student clinic since 2014.

He said the students and supervisors make him and his children feel very welcome while providing high quality services.

Ms Tanswell suggests that if you don’t have a regular Dentist or Oral Health Therapist, to consider visiting the student dental clinics at Charles Sturt. Appointments for the student clinics on one of five Charles Sturt campuses can be made online.