❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the status of dental services in Newman following the resignation of a permanent dentist, and inquires about long-term plans and housing for dental professionals. The Minister outlines current services, future plans, and housing provisions for public dentists.
AnsweredQoN 892Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DENTAL SERVICES — NEWMAN
I refer the minister to the article printed in the North West Telegraph on 12 October 2011 titled “Newman needs dentist to fill painful gap in services”. I am laughing at the headline! (1) What is the current status of dental services available to the Newman community? (2) What is the future long-term plan for dental services for Newman? (3) Will housing for dental professionals be provided in Newman? (4) If yes to (3), when, and through what agency? (5) If no to (3), why not? Hon HELEN MORTON
I refer the minister to the article printed in the North West Telegraph on 12 October 2011 titled “Newman needs dentist to fill painful gap in services”. I am laughing at the headline! (1) What is the current status of dental services available to the Newman community? (2) What is the future long-term plan for dental services for Newman? (3) Will housing for dental professionals be provided in Newman? (4) If yes to (3), when, and through what agency? (5) If no to (3), why not? Hon HELEN MORTON
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Dental Health Services dental officer, who has been in Newman since January 2010, resigned in February 2011, and a recruitment campaign to fill this position has been ongoing. In the interim, a relief public dental officer was in Newman from 11 July 2011 until 3 October 2011. This dentist provided subsidised dental care to patients who are holders of a current health care or pensioner concession card. In addition, dental care was available to people living in the surrounding Aboriginal communities. Since July 2011, a private dentist has commenced practice in Newman. He will provide dental care to those patients who are not eligible for public dental care. The private dental practitioner also participates in the country patients dental subsidy scheme to provide subsidised dental care to eligible patients on the occasions when there is no public dental officer present in Newman. There is also presently a dental therapist in Newman continuing to treat enrolled schoolchildren for term 4. (2) The plan is to continue to support the provision of dental care to the local and surrounding communities with public and private dental practitioners as in the current model of care. (3)–(5) Yes, subsidised accommodation is provided to staff employed by Dental Health Services through Government Regional Officers’ Housing, which is part of the Department of Housing. Provision of housing to the private dental practitioner is a matter for the private practitioner.
(1) What is the current status of dental services available to the Newman community? (2) What is the future long-term plan for dental services for Newman? (3) Will housing for dental professionals be provided in Newman? (4) If yes to (3), when, and through what agency? (5) If no to (3), why not? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Dental Health Services dental officer, who has been in Newman since January 2010, resigned in February 2011, and a recruitment campaign to fill this position has been ongoing. In the interim, a relief public dental officer was in Newman from 11 July 2011 until 3 October 2011. This dentist provided subsidised dental care to patients who are holders of a current health care or pensioner concession card. In addition, dental care was available to people living in the surrounding Aboriginal communities. Since July 2011, a private dentist has commenced practice in Newman. He will provide dental care to those patients who are not eligible for public dental care. The private dental practitioner also participates in the country patients dental subsidy scheme to provide subsidised dental care to eligible patients on the occasions when there is no public dental officer present in Newman. There is also presently a dental therapist in Newman continuing to treat enrolled schoolchildren for term 4. (2) The plan is to continue to support the provision of dental care to the local and surrounding communities with public and private dental practitioners as in the current model of care. (3)–(5) Yes, subsidised accommodation is provided to staff employed by Dental Health Services through Government Regional Officers’ Housing, which is part of the Department of Housing. Provision of housing to the private dental practitioner is a matter for the private practitioner.
(2) What is the future long-term plan for dental services for Newman? (3) Will housing for dental professionals be provided in Newman? (4) If yes to (3), when, and through what agency? (5) If no to (3), why not? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Dental Health Services dental officer, who has been in Newman since January 2010, resigned in February 2011, and a recruitment campaign to fill this position has been ongoing. In the interim, a relief public dental officer was in Newman from 11 July 2011 until 3 October 2011. This dentist provided subsidised dental care to patients who are holders of a current health care or pensioner concession card. In addition, dental care was available to people living in the surrounding Aboriginal communities. Since July 2011, a private dentist has commenced practice in Newman. He will provide dental care to those patients who are not eligible for public dental care. The private dental practitioner also participates in the country patients dental subsidy scheme to provide subsidised dental care to eligible patients on the occasions when there is no public dental officer present in Newman. There is also presently a dental therapist in Newman continuing to treat enrolled schoolchildren for term 4. (2) The plan is to continue to support the provision of dental care to the local and surrounding communities with public and private dental practitioners as in the current model of care. (3)–(5) Yes, subsidised accommodation is provided to staff employed by Dental Health Services through Government Regional Officers’ Housing, which is part of the Department of Housing. Provision of housing to the private dental practitioner is a matter for the private practitioner.
(3) Will housing for dental professionals be provided in Newman? (4) If yes to (3), when, and through what agency? (5) If no to (3), why not? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Dental Health Services dental officer, who has been in Newman since January 2010, resigned in February 2011, and a recruitment campaign to fill this position has been ongoing. In the interim, a relief public dental officer was in Newman from 11 July 2011 until 3 October 2011. This dentist provided subsidised dental care to patients who are holders of a current health care or pensioner concession card. In addition, dental care was available to people living in the surrounding Aboriginal communities. Since July 2011, a private dentist has commenced practice in Newman. He will provide dental care to those patients who are not eligible for public dental care. The private dental practitioner also participates in the country patients dental subsidy scheme to provide subsidised dental care to eligible patients on the occasions when there is no public dental officer present in Newman. There is also presently a dental therapist in Newman continuing to treat enrolled schoolchildren for term 4. (2) The plan is to continue to support the provision of dental care to the local and surrounding communities with public and private dental practitioners as in the current model of care. (3)–(5) Yes, subsidised accommodation is provided to staff employed by Dental Health Services through Government Regional Officers’ Housing, which is part of the Department of Housing. Provision of housing to the private dental practitioner is a matter for the private practitioner.
(4) If yes to (3), when, and through what agency? (5) If no to (3), why not? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Dental Health Services dental officer, who has been in Newman since January 2010, resigned in February 2011, and a recruitment campaign to fill this position has been ongoing. In the interim, a relief public dental officer was in Newman from 11 July 2011 until 3 October 2011. This dentist provided subsidised dental care to patients who are holders of a current health care or pensioner concession card. In addition, dental care was available to people living in the surrounding Aboriginal communities. Since July 2011, a private dentist has commenced practice in Newman. He will provide dental care to those patients who are not eligible for public dental care. The private dental practitioner also participates in the country patients dental subsidy scheme to provide subsidised dental care to eligible patients on the occasions when there is no public dental officer present in Newman. There is also presently a dental therapist in Newman continuing to treat enrolled schoolchildren for term 4. (2) The plan is to continue to support the provision of dental care to the local and surrounding communities with public and private dental practitioners as in the current model of care. (3)–(5) Yes, subsidised accommodation is provided to staff employed by Dental Health Services through Government Regional Officers’ Housing, which is part of the Department of Housing. Provision of housing to the private dental practitioner is a matter for the private practitioner.
(5) If no to (3), why not? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Dental Health Services dental officer, who has been in Newman since January 2010, resigned in February 2011, and a recruitment campaign to fill this position has been ongoing. In the interim, a relief public dental officer was in Newman from 11 July 2011 until 3 October 2011. This dentist provided subsidised dental care to patients who are holders of a current health care or pensioner concession card. In addition, dental care was available to people living in the surrounding Aboriginal communities. Since July 2011, a private dentist has commenced practice in Newman. He will provide dental care to those patients who are not eligible for public dental care. The private dental practitioner also participates in the country patients dental subsidy scheme to provide subsidised dental care to eligible patients on the occasions when there is no public dental officer present in Newman. There is also presently a dental therapist in Newman continuing to treat enrolled schoolchildren for term 4. (2) The plan is to continue to support the provision of dental care to the local and surrounding communities with public and private dental practitioners as in the current model of care. (3)–(5) Yes, subsidised accommodation is provided to staff employed by Dental Health Services through Government Regional Officers’ Housing, which is part of the Department of Housing. Provision of housing to the private dental practitioner is a matter for the private practitioner.
Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Dental Health Services dental officer, who has been in Newman since January 2010, resigned in February 2011, and a recruitment campaign to fill this position has been ongoing. In the interim, a relief public dental officer was in Newman from 11 July 2011 until 3 October 2011. This dentist provided subsidised dental care to patients who are holders of a current health care or pensioner concession card. In addition, dental care was available to people living in the surrounding Aboriginal communities. Since July 2011, a private dentist has commenced practice in Newman. He will provide dental care to those patients who are not eligible for public dental care. The private dental practitioner also participates in the country patients dental subsidy scheme to provide subsidised dental care to eligible patients on the occasions when there is no public dental officer present in Newman. There is also presently a dental therapist in Newman continuing to treat enrolled schoolchildren for term 4. (2) The plan is to continue to support the provision of dental care to the local and surrounding communities with public and private dental practitioners as in the current model of care. (3)–(5) Yes, subsidised accommodation is provided to staff employed by Dental Health Services through Government Regional Officers’ Housing, which is part of the Department of Housing. Provision of housing to the private dental practitioner is a matter for the private practitioner.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Dental Health Services dental officer, who has been in Newman since January 2010, resigned in February 2011, and a recruitment campaign to fill this position has been ongoing. In the interim, a relief public dental officer was in Newman from 11 July 2011 until 3 October 2011. This dentist provided subsidised dental care to patients who are holders of a current health care or pensioner concession card. In addition, dental care was available to people living in the surrounding Aboriginal communities. Since July 2011, a private dentist has commenced practice in Newman. He will provide dental care to those patients who are not eligible for public dental care. The private dental practitioner also participates in the country patients dental subsidy scheme to provide subsidised dental care to eligible patients on the occasions when there is no public dental officer present in Newman. There is also presently a dental therapist in Newman continuing to treat enrolled schoolchildren for term 4. (2) The plan is to continue to support the provision of dental care to the local and surrounding communities with public and private dental practitioners as in the current model of care. (3)–(5) Yes, subsidised accommodation is provided to staff employed by Dental Health Services through Government Regional Officers’ Housing, which is part of the Department of Housing. Provision of housing to the private dental practitioner is a matter for the private practitioner.
(1) The Dental Health Services dental officer, who has been in Newman since January 2010, resigned in February 2011, and a recruitment campaign to fill this position has been ongoing. In the interim, a relief public dental officer was in Newman from 11 July 2011 until 3 October 2011. This dentist provided subsidised dental care to patients who are holders of a current health care or pensioner concession card. In addition, dental care was available to people living in the surrounding Aboriginal communities. Since July 2011, a private dentist has commenced practice in Newman. He will provide dental care to those patients who are not eligible for public dental care. The private dental practitioner also participates in the country patients dental subsidy scheme to provide subsidised dental care to eligible patients on the occasions when there is no public dental officer present in Newman. There is also presently a dental therapist in Newman continuing to treat enrolled schoolchildren for term 4. (2) The plan is to continue to support the provision of dental care to the local and surrounding communities with public and private dental practitioners as in the current model of care. (3)–(5) Yes, subsidised accommodation is provided to staff employed by Dental Health Services through Government Regional Officers’ Housing, which is part of the Department of Housing. Provision of housing to the private dental practitioner is a matter for the private practitioner.
(2) The plan is to continue to support the provision of dental care to the local and surrounding communities with public and private dental practitioners as in the current model of care. (3)–(5) Yes, subsidised accommodation is provided to staff employed by Dental Health Services through Government Regional Officers’ Housing, which is part of the Department of Housing. Provision of housing to the private dental practitioner is a matter for the private practitioner.
(3)–(5) Yes, subsidised accommodation is provided to staff employed by Dental Health Services through Government Regional Officers’ Housing, which is part of the Department of Housing. Provision of housing to the private dental practitioner is a matter for the private practitioner.
(1) What is the current status of dental services available to the Newman community? (2) What is the future long-term plan for dental services for Newman? (3) Will housing for dental professionals be provided in Newman? (4) If yes to (3), when, and through what agency? (5) If no to (3), why not? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Dental Health Services dental officer, who has been in Newman since January 2010, resigned in February 2011, and a recruitment campaign to fill this position has been ongoing. In the interim, a relief public dental officer was in Newman from 11 July 2011 until 3 October 2011. This dentist provided subsidised dental care to patients who are holders of a current health care or pensioner concession card. In addition, dental care was available to people living in the surrounding Aboriginal communities. Since July 2011, a private dentist has commenced practice in Newman. He will provide dental care to those patients who are not eligible for public dental care. The private dental practitioner also participates in the country patients dental subsidy scheme to provide subsidised dental care to eligible patients on the occasions when there is no public dental officer present in Newman. There is also presently a dental therapist in Newman continuing to treat enrolled schoolchildren for term 4. (2) The plan is to continue to support the provision of dental care to the local and surrounding communities with public and private dental practitioners as in the current model of care. (3)–(5) Yes, subsidised accommodation is provided to staff employed by Dental Health Services through Government Regional Officers’ Housing, which is part of the Department of Housing. Provision of housing to the private dental practitioner is a matter for the private practitioner.
(2) What is the future long-term plan for dental services for Newman? (3) Will housing for dental professionals be provided in Newman? (4) If yes to (3), when, and through what agency? (5) If no to (3), why not? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Dental Health Services dental officer, who has been in Newman since January 2010, resigned in February 2011, and a recruitment campaign to fill this position has been ongoing. In the interim, a relief public dental officer was in Newman from 11 July 2011 until 3 October 2011. This dentist provided subsidised dental care to patients who are holders of a current health care or pensioner concession card. In addition, dental care was available to people living in the surrounding Aboriginal communities. Since July 2011, a private dentist has commenced practice in Newman. He will provide dental care to those patients who are not eligible for public dental care. The private dental practitioner also participates in the country patients dental subsidy scheme to provide subsidised dental care to eligible patients on the occasions when there is no public dental officer present in Newman. There is also presently a dental therapist in Newman continuing to treat enrolled schoolchildren for term 4. (2) The plan is to continue to support the provision of dental care to the local and surrounding communities with public and private dental practitioners as in the current model of care. (3)–(5) Yes, subsidised accommodation is provided to staff employed by Dental Health Services through Government Regional Officers’ Housing, which is part of the Department of Housing. Provision of housing to the private dental practitioner is a matter for the private practitioner.
(3) Will housing for dental professionals be provided in Newman? (4) If yes to (3), when, and through what agency? (5) If no to (3), why not? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Dental Health Services dental officer, who has been in Newman since January 2010, resigned in February 2011, and a recruitment campaign to fill this position has been ongoing. In the interim, a relief public dental officer was in Newman from 11 July 2011 until 3 October 2011. This dentist provided subsidised dental care to patients who are holders of a current health care or pensioner concession card. In addition, dental care was available to people living in the surrounding Aboriginal communities. Since July 2011, a private dentist has commenced practice in Newman. He will provide dental care to those patients who are not eligible for public dental care. The private dental practitioner also participates in the country patients dental subsidy scheme to provide subsidised dental care to eligible patients on the occasions when there is no public dental officer present in Newman. There is also presently a dental therapist in Newman continuing to treat enrolled schoolchildren for term 4. (2) The plan is to continue to support the provision of dental care to the local and surrounding communities with public and private dental practitioners as in the current model of care. (3)–(5) Yes, subsidised accommodation is provided to staff employed by Dental Health Services through Government Regional Officers’ Housing, which is part of the Department of Housing. Provision of housing to the private dental practitioner is a matter for the private practitioner.
(4) If yes to (3), when, and through what agency? (5) If no to (3), why not? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Dental Health Services dental officer, who has been in Newman since January 2010, resigned in February 2011, and a recruitment campaign to fill this position has been ongoing. In the interim, a relief public dental officer was in Newman from 11 July 2011 until 3 October 2011. This dentist provided subsidised dental care to patients who are holders of a current health care or pensioner concession card. In addition, dental care was available to people living in the surrounding Aboriginal communities. Since July 2011, a private dentist has commenced practice in Newman. He will provide dental care to those patients who are not eligible for public dental care. The private dental practitioner also participates in the country patients dental subsidy scheme to provide subsidised dental care to eligible patients on the occasions when there is no public dental officer present in Newman. There is also presently a dental therapist in Newman continuing to treat enrolled schoolchildren for term 4. (2) The plan is to continue to support the provision of dental care to the local and surrounding communities with public and private dental practitioners as in the current model of care. (3)–(5) Yes, subsidised accommodation is provided to staff employed by Dental Health Services through Government Regional Officers’ Housing, which is part of the Department of Housing. Provision of housing to the private dental practitioner is a matter for the private practitioner.
(5) If no to (3), why not? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Dental Health Services dental officer, who has been in Newman since January 2010, resigned in February 2011, and a recruitment campaign to fill this position has been ongoing. In the interim, a relief public dental officer was in Newman from 11 July 2011 until 3 October 2011. This dentist provided subsidised dental care to patients who are holders of a current health care or pensioner concession card. In addition, dental care was available to people living in the surrounding Aboriginal communities. Since July 2011, a private dentist has commenced practice in Newman. He will provide dental care to those patients who are not eligible for public dental care. The private dental practitioner also participates in the country patients dental subsidy scheme to provide subsidised dental care to eligible patients on the occasions when there is no public dental officer present in Newman. There is also presently a dental therapist in Newman continuing to treat enrolled schoolchildren for term 4. (2) The plan is to continue to support the provision of dental care to the local and surrounding communities with public and private dental practitioners as in the current model of care. (3)–(5) Yes, subsidised accommodation is provided to staff employed by Dental Health Services through Government Regional Officers’ Housing, which is part of the Department of Housing. Provision of housing to the private dental practitioner is a matter for the private practitioner.
Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Dental Health Services dental officer, who has been in Newman since January 2010, resigned in February 2011, and a recruitment campaign to fill this position has been ongoing. In the interim, a relief public dental officer was in Newman from 11 July 2011 until 3 October 2011. This dentist provided subsidised dental care to patients who are holders of a current health care or pensioner concession card. In addition, dental care was available to people living in the surrounding Aboriginal communities. Since July 2011, a private dentist has commenced practice in Newman. He will provide dental care to those patients who are not eligible for public dental care. The private dental practitioner also participates in the country patients dental subsidy scheme to provide subsidised dental care to eligible patients on the occasions when there is no public dental officer present in Newman. There is also presently a dental therapist in Newman continuing to treat enrolled schoolchildren for term 4. (2) The plan is to continue to support the provision of dental care to the local and surrounding communities with public and private dental practitioners as in the current model of care. (3)–(5) Yes, subsidised accommodation is provided to staff employed by Dental Health Services through Government Regional Officers’ Housing, which is part of the Department of Housing. Provision of housing to the private dental practitioner is a matter for the private practitioner.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Dental Health Services dental officer, who has been in Newman since January 2010, resigned in February 2011, and a recruitment campaign to fill this position has been ongoing. In the interim, a relief public dental officer was in Newman from 11 July 2011 until 3 October 2011. This dentist provided subsidised dental care to patients who are holders of a current health care or pensioner concession card. In addition, dental care was available to people living in the surrounding Aboriginal communities. Since July 2011, a private dentist has commenced practice in Newman. He will provide dental care to those patients who are not eligible for public dental care. The private dental practitioner also participates in the country patients dental subsidy scheme to provide subsidised dental care to eligible patients on the occasions when there is no public dental officer present in Newman. There is also presently a dental therapist in Newman continuing to treat enrolled schoolchildren for term 4. (2) The plan is to continue to support the provision of dental care to the local and surrounding communities with public and private dental practitioners as in the current model of care. (3)–(5) Yes, subsidised accommodation is provided to staff employed by Dental Health Services through Government Regional Officers’ Housing, which is part of the Department of Housing. Provision of housing to the private dental practitioner is a matter for the private practitioner.
(1) The Dental Health Services dental officer, who has been in Newman since January 2010, resigned in February 2011, and a recruitment campaign to fill this position has been ongoing. In the interim, a relief public dental officer was in Newman from 11 July 2011 until 3 October 2011. This dentist provided subsidised dental care to patients who are holders of a current health care or pensioner concession card. In addition, dental care was available to people living in the surrounding Aboriginal communities. Since July 2011, a private dentist has commenced practice in Newman. He will provide dental care to those patients who are not eligible for public dental care. The private dental practitioner also participates in the country patients dental subsidy scheme to provide subsidised dental care to eligible patients on the occasions when there is no public dental officer present in Newman. There is also presently a dental therapist in Newman continuing to treat enrolled schoolchildren for term 4. (2) The plan is to continue to support the provision of dental care to the local and surrounding communities with public and private dental practitioners as in the current model of care. (3)–(5) Yes, subsidised accommodation is provided to staff employed by Dental Health Services through Government Regional Officers’ Housing, which is part of the Department of Housing. Provision of housing to the private dental practitioner is a matter for the private practitioner.
(2) The plan is to continue to support the provision of dental care to the local and surrounding communities with public and private dental practitioners as in the current model of care. (3)–(5) Yes, subsidised accommodation is provided to staff employed by Dental Health Services through Government Regional Officers’ Housing, which is part of the Department of Housing. Provision of housing to the private dental practitioner is a matter for the private practitioner.
(3)–(5) Yes, subsidised accommodation is provided to staff employed by Dental Health Services through Government Regional Officers’ Housing, which is part of the Department of Housing. Provision of housing to the private dental practitioner is a matter for the private practitioner.
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