HomeGround tenant Anthony was the first patient at our new dental service in the Calder Health Centre, and he’s finally getting the treatment he needs.

Anthony on Seven Sharp

Anthony first started to have serious problems with his teeth twenty years ago, when he was in his late thirties. He has cerebral palsy, and the symptoms can impact his oral health. “I had multiple fillings and had to have teeth pulled out. I needed a partial plate [to replace my missing teeth]”.

While Anthony worked for many years in retail (including in a supermarket, a dairy and as a salesperson in his father’s business) he could not afford to pay for the treatment he needed on his own. Fortunately, he could get some support through WINZ, and his father was able to help out.

But his teeth have continued to deteriorate over the years, and he has had trouble eating some foods: “I can’t really eat things like steak anymore. It has to be mince or pasta, food that I don’t have to chew too much.”

The cost of dental treatment and a bad experience had deterred Anthony from going back to the dentist.

“Last time I went to a dentist, he pulled two teeth out, and one of them got badly infected about a week after he’d done it.” Anthony had to put up with severe pain for several days before it was put right. “That’s basically why I haven’t been back. I’m too scared.”

Another painful tooth infection have finally forced him to seek out dental treatment again.

“One dentist said, I need four extractions, four fillings and a partial plate. That was going to be $5,600.”

“[Another] one I went to see, he said “your teeth are totally stuffed – they should really all come out.” To get all of them taken out and make dentures, that was going to be $9,800. WINZ isn’t going to pay for that.”

Anthony is no longer able to work and the quotes are unaffordable on his tight budget. His parents, who are living on a pension, are not in a position to help out financially anymore.

Fortunately, Anthony can now get the treatment he needs at the Mission’s new dentistry service. The service, which opened in July, is providing affordable, trauma-informed dental care for the Mission community in a safe and trusted environment. Anthony was the first patient.

“It means that I’ll get to have a proper smile and eat anything I want again.”

Anthony and Brendan Short (Director of Housing & Health Services) were recently interviewed on Seven Sharp about the dental service. Watch the story here.