Rotary Club of Ballarat West Dentist Dr. David Goldsmith and specialist dental equipment engineer Peter Copp PHF are just back from 5 days at the Solomon Islands National Referral Hospital. They brought 9 dental chair/operating units and other equipment to complement a program started over two years ago with Gus Dominguez from the Rotary Club of Berwick and Vanuatu dentist Felipe de Lemos. Contacts were established at all levels of health services.
This Rotary project will herald a new era for Oral Health in the Solomon Islands.
However, there is no shortage of trained dental manpower. Whilst there are 40 qualified Solomon Islands dentists, all being paid for full-time work, there are only 5 public dental surgeries in Honiara. Many dentists are often working just one day a week, or less. In addition, there are 15 more Solomon Islander dental students on scholarships in Fiji and PNG waiting to graduate!
When completed this Rotary project will triple the dental facilities in Honiara.
An ideal building within the hospital grounds has been offered to Rotary by the NRH executive with enough rooms to set up a completely new National Dental Clinic at the NRH. The hospital has neither the funds nor the expertise to equip a new dental facility, but the Rotary Club of Ballarat West has over 20 years’ experience in doing such work in Tonga, the Cook Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji. Part of the building is currently occupied by the Diabetic unit, but they will shortly be relocating to new premises. The dental department is optimistic it will then be able to take over the whole building which includes renovated toilets, laundry, and reception.
This is a joint project of the combined Rotary Clubs of Ballarat West and Berwick, and the Rotary Club of Honiara and is registered RAWCS project.
Eight A-dec Cascade dental chair operating units with curing lights and scaler connections (replacement cost >$250,000)
16 dental stools, large amounts of general medical supplies, plus 6 sewing machines
A further shipment of dental equipment, furniture, and medical supplies is planned to go from Melbourne DIK in conjunction with Essendon Rotary club in July.
Dr.Goldsmith said. "I am confident when completed this will be one of the best-equipped buildings in the whole hospital. The dental staff is very excited at this prospect. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health, and the Rotary clubs of Honiara, Ballarat West and Berwick and the RNH has committed to all ongoing funding, wages etc. to make the project sustainable."
This Rotary project will herald a new era for Oral Health in the Solomon Islands.
However, there is no shortage of trained dental manpower. Whilst there are 40 qualified Solomon Islands dentists, all being paid for full-time work, there are only 5 public dental surgeries in Honiara. Many dentists are often working just one day a week, or less. In addition, there are 15 more Solomon Islander dental students on scholarships in Fiji and PNG waiting to graduate!
When completed this Rotary project will triple the dental facilities in Honiara.
An ideal building within the hospital grounds has been offered to Rotary by the NRH executive with enough rooms to set up a completely new National Dental Clinic at the NRH. The hospital has neither the funds nor the expertise to equip a new dental facility, but the Rotary Club of Ballarat West has over 20 years’ experience in doing such work in Tonga, the Cook Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji. Part of the building is currently occupied by the Diabetic unit, but they will shortly be relocating to new premises. The dental department is optimistic it will then be able to take over the whole building which includes renovated toilets, laundry, and reception.
This is a joint project of the combined Rotary Clubs of Ballarat West and Berwick, and the Rotary Club of Honiara and is registered RAWCS project.
Eight A-dec Cascade dental chair operating units with curing lights and scaler connections (replacement cost >$250,000)
16 dental stools, large amounts of general medical supplies, plus 6 sewing machines
A further shipment of dental equipment, furniture, and medical supplies is planned to go from Melbourne DIK in conjunction with Essendon Rotary club in July.
Dr.Goldsmith said. "I am confident when completed this will be one of the best-equipped buildings in the whole hospital. The dental staff is very excited at this prospect. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health, and the Rotary clubs of Honiara, Ballarat West and Berwick and the RNH has committed to all ongoing funding, wages etc. to make the project sustainable."