JCU Dental Clinic Celebrates Major MilestoneJCU Dental Clinic Celebrates Major Milestone JCU’s Dental Clinic has reached a significant milestone, treating over 30,000 patients since its inception in 2012. Professor John Abbott, Director of Clinical Studies at JCU, expressed gratitude for the clinic’s ability to provide essential dental services in Cairns and Townsville. Commitment to Community and Students The clinic has primarily served pensioners and discount card holders, providing high-quality dental care at affordable rates. Students in the fourth year of JCU’s Dentistry program gain invaluable hands-on experience, training under experienced faculty. Benefits for Students and Patients Lily Hunt and Meghan Mannix, fourth-year dental students, praised the clinic’s learning environment. They highlighted the benefits of working with real-life patients, developing social skills, and gaining confidence in their abilities. Judy Carrol, a retiree who has received treatment at the clinic since its opening, expressed her appreciation for the students’ care and the cost savings for pensioners. Access to Care in Regional Areas Professor Abbott emphasized the importance of the clinic in providing dental services to those who might not otherwise have access. The clinic’s commitment to serving the community and vulnerable populations is a testament to its dedication to improving oral health in the region.
Jack McCamley, fourth year JCU Dentistry student, Professor John Abbott, Director of Clinical Studies at JCU, local patient Sharon Rowe and Meaghan Mannix, fourth year JCU Dentistry student at the JCU Dental Clinic in Cairns.
Professor John Abbott, Director of Clinical Studies at JCU, said he and his team were extremely pleased to have been able to deliver this vital service in Cairns and Townsville.
The Cairns clinic first opened in 2012 at JCU’s Nguma-bada (Smithfield) campus, with most patients being pensioners and discount card holders.
“This achievement is a remarkable milestone,” said Prof. Abbott.
“It is a testament to the clinic’s dedication to providing high-quality dental care and its commitment to serving the community and providing clinical training to JCU dental students.
“This milestone also underscores the importance of access to affordable and specialized healthcare services, particularly in regional areas where patients may have limited access to dental care.”
Prof Abbott said dental students continue to benefit greatly from the clinics, gaining practical experience in a real-world environment. To date, the clinics have helped train 760 dental graduates, each with more than 2,000 hours of clinical practice experience.
“The clinic offers them the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of dental procedures, patient communication and teamwork,” he said.
“The feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the clinic’s learning environment, where they can make mistakes and learn from them in a safe and supportive atmosphere.
“Some students have even reported that the clinical experience definitely played a significant role in getting their first job as a dentist after graduation.”
Lily Hunt and Meghan Mannix, fourth-year dental students, said their experiences in the clinic were a highlight of their training at JCU.
“Training at the JCU Dental Clinic is an incredible opportunity,” said Ms Hunt.
“We have some really sweet patients, and it makes a world of difference in developing your social skills and also giving you that real life experience. The connection with patients is a really big part of the experience for me.”
Judy Carrol, a retiree from Yorkeys Knob, has been treated at the clinic since it opened and said she has had an excellent experience.
“The students that I’ve had have been fantastic. I’ve seen quite a few of them over the years because I’ve had so many appointments,” she said.
“As a pensioner it is such an important service for me; any way to save a bit of money is a good thing. I get nervous when I go to the dentist but I am always put at ease when I go to the JCU clinic. The view of the rainforest from the dentist chair certainly helps to lower the blood pressure.”
Professor Abbott said the clinics have been instrumental in providing essential dental care to pensioners and discount card holders who would otherwise not have had access to or the ability to afford treatment for their dental problems.
“The clinic’s commitment to providing free general dental treatment to discount card holders has made it possible for these patients to receive the care they need, regardless of their financial situation,” he said.
“The clinic’s services are particularly important for Cairns and the surrounding area, where access to dental care can be limited.
“It is vital that JCU Dental continues to provide services to retirees and concession card holders in North Queensland as they are a vulnerable population who often face significant barriers to accessing dental care.”
