 Frequently Asked Questions
How does Filling the Gap work?
Filling the Gap is a completely voluntary program. We recruit dentists to work at Wuchopperen, a community controlled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health service that provides care for around 20,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in far north Queensland. The program operates as a three-way partnership, where dentists contribute their time and professional services, Wuchopperen provides accommodation and arranges the necessary registration with the Queensland Dental Board, and Filling the Gap steering committee members recruit dentists and provide the funds for the airfares to Cairns.
We are also partners with Muru Marri Indigenous Health Unit and Nura Gili Indigenous Programs at the University of New South Wales, who are actively involved in the Steering Committee and provide on-going support and advice. For example, Muru Marri is currently conducting an evaluation of Filling the Gap, after our first year of operation, so that we can keep improving our program and articulate a model of best practice.
Why did it start?
The program started in order to meet a crisis at Wuchopperen Health Service. It simply could not recruit permanent dentists, able to provide a full time service. Wuchopperen has a purpose-built, modern centre with two fully equipped dental clinics, a similarly well-equipped mobile dental van, and facilities for a dental technician. But in 2005, it was down to one dentist, one day a week to service their entire community of over 20,000 people.
When did Filling the Gap start?
We began in mid January 2006. In our first year our 20 volunteer dentists volunteered 31 dental weeks and treated over 1,000 patients.
What’s it like at Wuchopperen?
Wuchopperen is an Aboriginal Medical Service and is community controlled, that is, its Board of Management represent the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities it serves and is responsive to their needs. The service has around 110 staff, who are mostly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Its main clinic is in a surburb of Cairns approximately ten minutes from the city , and there is also a smaller clinic located in Atherton, about an hour and a quarter’s drive from Cairns. There is a dental van that provides dental care to outlying communities of Atherton, Mossman, Mt Garnet, Ravenshoe, Innisfail and Mareeba. Wuchopperen has also recently taken over the Health Service at Mt Isa, in North Western Queensland.
In Cairns there are two main buildings. One is focused on medical health (eg GP clinic, diabetes clinic, women’s health program, dental services etc). The other building focuses on social health and wellbeing, for example, there are counselling services, a drug and alcohol program, health promotion, child protection programs etc. All these programs are described on Wuchopperen’s website www.wuchopperen.com
What are the dental facilities like?
The dental clinic comprises of two fully equipped dental (William Green Tanatus ) surgeries, newly fitted out less than a year ago and a fully equipped mobile van (Adec chair ) less than 3 years old, to provide an outreach service to smaller communities. Infection control procedures are strictly followed and adhere to the guidelines. There is also a fully equipped laboratory and a dental technician employed by Wuchopperen. There are three dental nurses, a dental technician, a receptionist and a practice manager.
What kind of dentistry is practiced?
A wide range, like in any dental practice, including preventative, restorative, prosthetic, endodontics and minor oral surgery, X-rays and referrals for OPG just 10 minutes away. However, there is a higher percentage of people with compromised, chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and rheumatic fever, than you would probably see in an average metropolitan, mainstream dental practice. Included in the same building is a medical service with full-time medical practitioners who are always willing to give advice in any sudden emergencies. Dentists are not pressured into performing any particular style of dentistry, but are encouraged to independently evaluate each individual patient need, and practice the type of dentistry with which they feel comfortable.
What hours am I expected to work?
The hours are 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday, Lunch is 1pm to 2pm and morning tea 10am to 10.30 am. The clinic is closed on weekends and public holidays.
What sort of accommodation is provided?
There is a fully self-contained apartment, which is part of a motel/resort style complex 2 minutes walk from the main clinic at Wuchopperen. It has two bedrooms, one with a double bed, the other with 2 singles, a small kitchen and a lounge room with dining table, bathroom / laundry, with washing machine. There is also an iron, ironing board etc. For more details see The Rainforest Grove website: www.rainforestgrove.com.au
Is there a car I can use?
Yes, usually. There will be a vehicle available for you to use out of working hours for example, weekends and evenings whilst you are volunteering.
Can I take a holiday before or after my volunteer work?
Volunteers can also choose to extend their flights around the time they work at Wuchopperen to take the opportunity to see some of Cairns and its surrounds.
Can I bring my family or friends along?
Yes, certainly. Many dentists have come with their family members or friends. The accommodation we provide has room for up to 4 people.
What about the flights? Who organises these and do I pay?
Filling the Gap covers the cost of your airfare to and from Cairns. Staff at Wuchopperen will discuss the special procedure for booking flights with Qantas once they have your application and they may ask you to book them yourself, so that way you can choose the flights that suit you best. If you pay upfront, Wuchopperen will reimburse you. We cannot pay for accompanying people, though.
I don’t work in Queensland. What about registration to practice there?
This is not a problem. Wuchopperen will organise the registration process and take care of any costs. We will email you a form from the Dental Registration Board, which you fill in and post back to Filling the Gap. We then forward this with your application form to Wuchopperen.
What about insurance?
I work in the public health sector. Will I be covered? I work in my own practice. Will I be covered? If you have any further queries about insurance, please contact either of the following Filling the Gap people: Uri Windt (uri@fillingthegap.com.au) or Ivor Epstein (info@fillingthegap.com.au) in order to make alternative arrangements.
Can I get paid?
There is an option to work as a paid locum at Wuchopperen, rather than as a volunteer. This is usually for dentists interested in a longer commitment than one or two weeks. If you are interested in locum work, Wuchopperen will discuss this with you directly.
Can I speak to other dentists or staff at Wuchopperen for more information?
You will have the opportunity to speak directly with the Dental Practice Manager before you leave for Wuchopperen. She can answer any questions about the dental practice, arrangements with flights and accommodation etc. You will also have a short orientation on arrival, before you begin work. We are also happy to put you in touch with some of our returned dentists who can provide more information and answer specific questions.
Are there opportunities to work with Aboriginal Medical Services in other parts of Australia?
Filling the Gap is happy to provide information and contact details, if you would like to undertake locum work with the Aboriginal Medical Service in Walgett in NSW or with Nganampa Health Council in Central Australia. Commitment for these positions is 3 or 4 weeks minimum, a salary is provided and airfares and accommodation are paid for.
Who’s behind Filling the Gap?
Filling the Gap began as an simple idea that grew from conversations by a number of people wanting to make do something about the appalling disparity of health outcomes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and mainstream Australia. Eighteen months later, we have a strong and active committee, comprising:
- Dr Ivor Epstein, dentist
- Assoc. Professor Sue Green, Nura Gili Indigenous Programs UNSW
- Assoc. Professor Lisa Jackson Pulver, Muru Marri Indigenous Health Unit, UNSW
- Gael Kennedy, community advocate
- Simon Palmer, Dentist Job Search
- Dr David Rosenwax, retired dentist
- Jenny Symonds, community advocate
- Uri Windt, community advocate
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