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A healthy smile is so important as it is difficult to eat, talk comfortably, and smile confidently without strong, healthy teeth. Unfortunately, many people cannot easily access good dental care, which is why our dentist Dr William Edmeades is so proud to volunteer his professional services to an excellent charity called Filling the Gap.

Dr Edmeades firmly believes in giving back to those in need, using his skill and experience to give the gift of a healthy smile. Over the years, Dr Edmeades has volunteered regularly for the charity and is one of their experienced volunteer dentists. On 22 March, Dr Edmeades once again volunteered his time and expertise at a Filling the Gap clinic, working as a member of four dental teams. Over the day, the teams treated 22 patients, carrying out more than $11,000 of pro bono dental work.

The team treated patients referred by various charities, including the Red Cross, The Asylum Seeker Centre, House of Welcome, the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, Jesuit Refugee Service, The Women and Girls Emergency Centre, and The Station. The patients were extremely grateful for the expert care received and were overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of volunteers, and appreciated learning more about their oral health.

What is Filling the Gap?

Filling the Gap is a wonderful charity formed by the Australian Dental Association New South Wales branch, providing pro bono dental work to people with poor oral health and who cannot access mainstream dental health services. It exists because of the generosity of member dentists who donate their time to treat vulnerable and at-risk patients.

The service prioritises those patients most in need, including refugees, the homeless and those recovering from addiction. The volunteers provide patients with essential dental care, restoring their ability to speak, eat and smile confidently and without pain or discomfort. They also work to educate patients so that once oral health is restored, people have the necessary skills to care for their dental health in the future. The charity often works closely with other organisations to achieve optimal results.

Each charity day requires a massive amount of organisation to help bring together the dental teams and determine which patients are most in need of treatment. Often people will need interpreters, and different practitioners are always needed to supply specific services. Good pain control is essential, allowing the dental teams to provide much needed dental work for people who may already feel anxious or are in pain. However, seeing the results at the end of the day is immensely rewarding for everyone involved with Filling the Gap.