On the road again in South Gippsland

The Flying Doctor Dental Clinic visits rural communities across Victoria where there is no public dental service. While we were sadly forced to suspend our dental services last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our mobile clinic was recently able to get back on the road, and has been warmly welcomed again in towns like Foster, South Gippsland.

Dr Ellen Longman has been a dentist with the Flying Doctor Dental Clinic for two years, and Foster is one of the towns she visits on a regular basis.

“Everyone in Foster has been so welcoming and appreciative of the services we offer,” says Dr Ellen. “Providing dental care for these people and helping them to smile again is very rewarding.”

Smiling herself, Dr Ellen adds, “We have also been lucky to get to say hello to some of our clients’ dogs after their appointment!”

Without the Flying Doctor Dental Clinic, local families would have no choice but to make a lengthy journey to the nearest public clinic, which many people are simply unable to do. In Foster, for example, accessing public dental care involves a 50 minute drive to Wonthaggi, with no good public transport options available. This makes it very difficult for people who are not comfortable driving long distances to access care. Additionally, these local clinics are very busy, and waiting lists for non-emergency appointments can be lengthy.

“The mobile Flying Doctor Dental Clinic helps to remove geographical and financial barriers to accessing care,” says Dr Ellen. “It is quite common that we see people who have previously been unable to go to the dentist for years as they, for many different reasons, have difficulty travelling to the nearest clinic.”

66-year-old Paula lives in Fish Creek, 14km south west of Foster, and is one of Dr Ellen’s patients. After struggling to get an appointment at her nearest public dental clinic about an hour’s drive away, Paula was delighted when she heard that a Flying Doctor Dental Clinic was visiting her local area again.

“I was absolutely amazed that the Flying Doctor service came to the local area because I used to always think of them as being out in the Outback,” says Paula. “I’m glad the service does come here, because at least it gives people the opportunity to see a dentist when they might not be able to otherwise.”

Born in Adelaide, Paula moved to Fish Creek to be with her husband, who was on a dairy farm. While moving to the country came with many benefits, it also opened Paula’s eyes to the lack of local amenities many communities have to deal with, and the long commutes that were required for work opportunities and health care needs.

“I was trying to get in to see a dentist locally, and I couldn't get into one. My doctor mentioned that the Flying Doctor was coming, and so I went to see them, and they were really fantastic,” says Paula. “I’m one of those unusual patients who doesn't particularly like needles. Over the years, I've discovered that when I tell a dentist that I don't have needles, and they take it in their stride, they're usually very good. And I've found that with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, they take everything in their stride, and certainly it was the easiest thing that that I've done.”

What’s more, having Dr Ellen return to Foster with each visit ensures a continuity of care that can sometimes be lacking in remote communities.

“I’m very happy with the service, and have no problems at all recommending it to other people,” says Paula. “They’re such lovely people and very professional. They certainly put you at ease, which I used to find years ago that some dentists don’t, they don't talk to you at all.

“The Flying Doctor girls were very easy to talk to. Even with my mouth open!”