Making Violet smile

Thanks to donor support, the Flying Doctor was able to open a permanent dental clinic in the town of Omeo, in East Gippsland. For families like Violet’s, this has had a life-changing impact. 

Violet requires regular dental care as her asthma medication creates holes of decay in her delicate baby teeth but, with the nearest dentist a one-and-a-half-hour drive away from their home and family business in Swift’s Creek, accessing this care has typically been easier said than done. 

So – when word spread that the Flying Doctor dental clinic was being set up 20 minutes away in Omeo – Violet’s parents, Tennille and Shannon, were overjoyed. 

“It’s a weight off our shoulders,” says Tennille.

“They gave us a full dental plan on how we could get through [with] Violet’s baby teeth surviving while she’s still on all of this asthma medicine. She went through a lot of little trips to the dentist which, as a six-year-old girl you’d think she wouldn’t be able to handle, but she absolutely loved going there.”

Since the clinic opened, Violet has been able to get the regular dental care she needs. This has included having a number of “princess teeth” installed – stainless steel crowns that keep her fragile baby teeth safe from the decay caused by her much-needed asthma medication.

“They were just so kind,” says Tennille of the Flying Doctor dental team. “She feels very special about her princess teeth!

“It’s definitely made Violet’s life way better. We wouldn’t have been able to afford to get those crowns put on otherwise.” 

With her princess teeth on and her dental care under control, little Violet is ready to take on the world. Seeing her daughter so happy, and knowing that her family is well-supported, means the world to Tennille, and she’d like to send her thanks to our generous supporters.

“People in remote areas, we do it tough as it is. Having somebody that we can rely on makes us feel like we can go through our everyday life with one less stress.

 “Thank you – we really appreciate it.”