 Dentists assisting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Filling the Gap began in January 2006 when a group of individuals based in Sydney set out to recruit volunteer dentists in response to the chronic shortage of dental professionals available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
A partnership was established with Wuchopperen Health Service based in Cairns, with the aim of reducing the then more than 12-month wait for dental treatment, and to provide continuity of service until the needs of the community could be met through permanent dental staff.
We currently recruit dentists, and occasionally hygienists, to volunteer for a week or more at the health service. Filling the Gap covers the cost of airfares and Wuchopperen pays for accommodation, often provides the use of a car and arranges any necessary registration procedures.
Since we began in 2006 the initiative has grown from strength to strength. By the start of 2010, Filling the Gap had recruited over 125 dental professionals from across Australia, who have provided more than 6,000 episodes of care. For more information see Charting our Progress.
"It's hard to know whose 'gap' is most filled in this program. As an experience in learning about indigenous culture and indigenous compassion and enthusiasm I would recommend all dentists take up this wonderful opportunity”.
Drs Glenda and Grant Farmer (volunteers 2007/08/09)
Who’s behind Filling the Gap?
Filling the Gap is an incorporated association registered in NSW. The board of directors consists of dentists, community advocates, industry and representatives of the Muru Marri Indigenous Health Unit at the University of New South Wales. Funding comes from both government and private benefactors.
More about Wuchopperen
Wuchopperen is a community-based Indigenous health service that is highly innovative, servicing the area's 18,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a range of services such as GP clinics, primary health care, counselling, family support, nutrition and health promotion. There are two fully equipped dental clinics at its Cairns base and a mobile dental van ready to travel to Atherton and other outlying communities.
Current Board of Directors
- Dr Ivor Epstein, dentist
- Sally Fitzpatrick, Muru Marri Indigenous Health Unit, UNSW
- Prof Lisa Jackson Pulver, Muru Marri Indigenous Health Unit, UNSW
- Gael Kennedy, community advocate
- Marion Norrie, Wuchopperen Health Service
- Simon Palmer, Dental Job Search
- Dr David Rosenwax AM, retired dentist
- Jennifer Symonds, community advocate
- Uri Windt, community advocate
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