Dental Health Service’s new Special Needs Dental Clinic has been custom built to provide care for those who need accessible dental care.
Run by North Metropolitan Health Service, Dental Health Services is the largest public dental service in Western Australia.
Amongst the shade of mature trees, a new building almost seamlessly blends in with the calming surroundings, an indication of the tranquil and calm space beyond the front door.
This is the new Special Needs Dental Clinic in Salter Point – a $6.1 million dollar facility built by McCorkell Constructions and designed by SPH architecture + interiors, opened in September to treat patients who cannot be seen in general practices.
From the onset, the idea was to create a space that did not look or sound like a traditional dental clinic.
There is an undercover outdoor waiting area, where patients can be assessed from their car if necessary. Going through the front door, the materials, timber screening, soft welcoming colours and soft lighting reveal a low sensory space to not overwhelm. There is a colourful piece of art ‘Land of Many Colours’ in the waiting room by an artist, David Guhl, who has Down Syndrome, and this piece of art is replicated throughout the clinic and in the treatment rooms. The painting honours the creativity, diversity and richness of people with special needs.
Walking down the hallway, there are multiple framed photos, showing a social story about visiting the dentist.
There are 4 fitted clinic rooms, with an additional low sensory room with dimmed lights. The clinic also has accessible features including wheelchair ramps, ceiling-mounted hoists, and end-of-trip facilities. The rooms are large enough for patients to have their carer or support persons present with them. The surgeries also have medical gases, including nitrous oxide.
It is a welcoming space, ensuring accessible dental care is in reach of everyone.
“The clinic has been designed with the needs of the patient front and centre,” says Dr Gino Cirillo, Director of Dental Health Services.
“The vision was to design and build a clinic that closely integrated into the existing environment and make it feel less like a traditional dental clinic. Dental Health Services is very proud of this clinic and more importantly, we are delighted that our special needs patients have a world class community clinic to receive dental care.”
Eligibility
Access to the Special Needs Dental Clinic has very specific criteria. It provides general dental care to patients 16-years-old and upwards that satisfy the following accessibility criteria:
- Patient presents a developmental, physical, and/or intellectual disability and is unable to tolerate treatment in a mainstream service.
- Patient has a Legal Guardian appointed.
- Patient presents with critical impairments of oral motor deficits
(e.g. swallowing difficulties or reduced oral musculature control). - Patient presents cognitive issues (e.g. unable to follow instructions/directions or unable to verbalise pain presentation).
- Patient requires extensive support or assistance for their
day-to-day living needs.
To access the Special Needs Dental Clinic in the first instance, the Legal Guardian or carer of an individual can contact the Clinic Reception at 08 9313 0699 such that an appropriate assessment process may begin.
It is anticipated that the clinic will see approximately 1000 patients meeting these criteria each year.
A special thank you to Dr Gino Cirillo, for showing ADAWA staff through the clinic.
