Guidelines for Participation
Client referrals
The ADA DHF accepts referrals to the volunteer dental programs for adults aged between 18-65 years who are being supported by a registered charity or not for profit organisation. They must be in genuine need and have a desire to receive help with their oral health but have no ready access to the private or public dental system. Only one course of treatment is offered on this program, your client must be placed on the public dental clinic for ongoing oral health support.
Clients may be supported by one of the following programs:
- Domestic & Family Violence support/accommodation services
- Drug and/or Alcohol rehabilitation
- Those affected by mental health conditions
- Near homeless or homeless support/accommodation services
- Support services for those from low socioeconomic areas/circumstances
Please contact your ADA DHF State Coordinator for any referral that falls outside of these guidelines.
Prioritising clients
- Appointments will be made available to clients depending on several factors, including their current dental health, location and availability of volunteers in the area
- Ensure all clients genuinely cannot afford dental treatment and have no access to government health benefit schemes in your state.
- Ensure all clients have a genuine need for treatment.
Arranging appointments for clients
Our volunteer dentists and their staff have kindly volunteered their time to provide free dental treatment to selected clients. Please respect their commitment by observing the following guidelines:
- Ensure that a Referral Form is digitally completed and returned to your State Coordinator prior to the appointment.
- Ensure all clients attend their designated appointment by arriving on or before time. Failing to attend appointments will result in removal from our programs.
- Whilst attending the dental surgery, ensure that your clients are respectful of the volunteer staff, other patients attending on the day as well as the property of the dental practice.
- It is expected that patients will be accompanied to appointments by a charity representative. If you are unable to provide support, please discuss this directly with the State Coordinator.
It is a condition of participation that the referring agency is accountable for the attendance and behaviour of the clients referred by our organisation to ADA DHF. Offensive behaviour/language by your clients to our or practice staff will result in their removal from our program.
Can I self-Refer to your program?
I’m afraid we do not take self-referrals.
To qualify for one of our dental programs, active engagement with a support organisation associated with your circumstances is necessary. Your support organisation would initiate a referral to the ADA Dental Health Foundation on your behalf, and upon submission, your application will undergo assessment. If your application is successful, ongoing support will be crucial throughout your participation in the program, managed by your dedicated support or caseworker.
If you currently have a support worker aiding you, kindly request them to contact info@adadhf.org.au. I will promptly provide the Referral Application for the Volunteer Dental programs coordinated by the ADA DHF.
It's worth noting that public clinics across Australia offer dental treatment free of charge or at low cost for eligible patients. If you are not affiliated with a charity, you have the option to register with your local clinic for ongoing oral health maintenance. For detailed information on eligibility criteria for your state's public dental services, please consult the Department of Health website at http://health.gov.au/dental.