Never taken for granted: Why grants are the lifeblood of the dental profession

Back in 2019, a dental hygienist and oral health therapy student, based in the regional Hunter area of New South Wales, sought out help with buying textbooks and uniforms. As a proud Worimi woman, she was able to reach out and apply to the Australian Dental Health Foundation (ADHF; now ADA DHF) for a First Nations Study Grant, which she succeeded in receiving not only in 2019 but also in 2020.

The student, Kellie Gleeson, was propelled by this success to engage in placements even through the pandemic, leading to her completing her qualifications and moving straight into a meaningful career within the NSW Health public sector, including the Awabakal and Eleanor Duncan Dental Services.

She teaches as a clinical educator at the University of Newcastle, presents CPD sessions for such organisations as the Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists’ Association (ADOHTA), and fulfills duties as a committee member at the Australian Dental Council (ADC), particularly representing Indigenous Australian clinicians, and with a special interest in improving oral health outcomes for First Nations and regional populations. It is fair to say, the dental profession has clearly benefited from that grant program’s investment in Kellie back in 2019 and 2020.
 

First Nations Study Grants
 

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the First Nations Study Grants program – an exciting milestone for the ADA DHF, a registered charity and cornerstone of the ADA’s commitment to addressing equity and social responsibility in oral healthcare.

Each of the four study grants sees an Australian student, of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background and currently enrolled in dental hygiene or oral health therapy, receive a $5,000 stipend which can then ease their way through the sometimes pricey world of clinical placements, including assistance with out-of-pocket travel and accommodation costs, as well as addressing general financial stress so each student can focus more purely on completing their studies and forging a professional path from there.

Over the years, the ADA has collaborated with various stakeholders to expand the reach and impact of the program, including partnering with dental schools and Indigenous health organisations. Through its efforts, the ADA has not only supported the educational aspirations of Indigenous students but also contributed to building a more inclusive and culturally sensitive dental workforce.

The First Nations Study Grants are currently open for applications, closing on 31 May. Interested parties can find more information by visiting adadhf.org.au, calling 1300 880 978, or emailing scholarships@adadhf.org.au 
 

Healthier Smiles Community Service Grants
 

Collaboration between the ADA DHF and the Mars Wrigley Foundation has resulted in the Healthier Smiles Community Service Grants becoming one of the foremost drivers in supporting community-based oral health projects in Australia.

Since 2011, these two foundations have joined forces to fund well-deserving programs, very often volunteer run/pro bono. Valued at US$82,000 (approximately AU$111,000), the program selects 10 projects annually, all dedicated to tackling disparities in dental care. These grants empower dentists and dental students to implement oral health services, education, and preventive care initiatives in some of Australia’s most underserved communities, fostering ‘healthier smiles’ and improved wellbeing.

This month, the application process has begun once more (see box, next page). Last year’s 10 recipients included Dandelions WA Inc., a project that provided essential toiletry kits to children and families in need; oral health home screening for residents in group homes with special needs (Mind Body Teeth); emergency dental care and education for people who have recently arrived in Australia and haven’t yet received residency status and therefore are not eligible for Medicare (The Diverse Smiles Project) and many more.

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A ‘Healthier Smiles’ grant recipient case study
 

At James Cook University in the tropical north of Queensland, the Restoring Smiles project received grant funding from the Healthier Smiles program, in order to offer dental workshops during the Sistember Festival in September. Held in Yarrabah Shire, located 60 kilometres from Cairns City with a population of 3,700, 96% of whom identify as Aboriginal, the festival was a pivotal community outreach exercise. JCU used the grant to educate residents on the importance of oral care as well as hosting residents for care in the JCU Dental Clinic. JCU enabled the presence of three support workers involved in the event to engage and build relationships with members of the community, as well as working with new and expectant mothers. Importantly, the activity focused on building an ongoing relationship with those in the community to support greater oral healthcare.

Professor John Abbott (pictured), leader of the project at JCU and member of the ADA’s Dental Instruments, Materials & Equipment (DIME) committee, said JCU Dentistry staff and students visited Yarrabah for three days in early September to run education workshops, health promotion and provide free dental examinations.

The next step in the initiative involved a monthly shuttle service from Yarrabah to the JCU Dental Clinic at the Nguma-bada campus in Smithfield. Senior dentistry students provided a range of dental treatments free of charge to concession card holders, under the supervision of experienced clinicians, all the way through until next month (May 2024).

Yarrabah local Rosie received treatment on a broken front tooth as part of the JCU Dentistry program, commenting: “The team at JCU Dental were incredible. In July, they made a temporary crown to fix my smile and I got the final fix in August. I usually don’t like dentists, but I loved these guys. I am so happy. I have my smile back and I am loving it!”

Fourth year Dentistry student David Bailey put his hand up for the initiative. As a Mutchilba local, he knows firsthand how rural communities can be impacted by a lack of oral health facilities.

“Coming out to the community has been really important,” he said. “This is the first step. Rather than saying ‘you’ve got to make your way to the JCU Dental facility’, we’re coming here, where the community feels comfortable, to start building rapport and sharing the message about the services we can provide.”

Prof. John Abbott added that the success of the Restoring Smiles project highlights the importance of the ADA Healthier Smiles Community Service Grants supporting community outreach programs, especially in marginalised communities. “By prioritising oral health and providing culturally sensitive care, organisations like JCU Dental can make a real impact on the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities,” he said.

“In addition to funding, collaboration with local community leaders and organisations is also crucial for the success of these programs, to ensure that the needs of the community are met in a respectful and meaningful way.

“Overall, the success of Sistember and other outreach programs serves as a reminder of the importance of investing in the health and wellbeing of all communities, especially those that have historically been underserved. By continuing to support these initiatives, we can work towards a more equitable and healthy future for all.”
 

Australian Dental Research Foundation (ADRF)
 

It is no secret that research and development in any profession, through healthcare and beyond, relies on grants and bursaries in order to thrive.

The Australian Dental Research Foundation (ADRF) significantly impacts the dental profession through its robust grant programs, which provide vital support for dental research initiatives. By offering funding opportunities and scholarships, the ADRF empowers researchers and dental professionals to delve into critical areas of inquiry.

These grants enable exploration into innovative solutions for complex oral health challenges, spanning clinical research, oral biology, and dental technology. Through the financial backing of these projects, the ADRF facilitates development of new treatments, methodologies, and best practices, thereby elevating the standard of patient care and advancing the field of dentistry as a whole. Furthermore, by fostering a culture of curiosity and collaboration, the ADRF nurtures the next generation of dental researchers, ensuring a continuous flow of talent committed to enhancing oral health outcomes and driving progress in the profession.

To date, with the help of its donors, the ADRF has supported more than 2,000 research projects conducted by dental students, early and mid-career researchers, and senior researchers within Australia’s world-class dental schools.

Each year, the ADRF, a joint initiative of the ADA and the Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA), offers funds to support grants based on priority areas advised by the ADRF Research Advisory Committee and approved by the Board. The ADRF is now moving in a different direction, understanding the strategy of reducing the number of grants available, yet making each grant more substantial so that more impactful research is able to be funded.

The 2023/24 period has been underpinned by the ADRF’s recognition of the limited funding available to address the burden of dental disease; to address this, the organisation has offered up to 15-20 grants of $20,000 each, to projects that most reflect the following points:

- dental research which translates to better patient care and overall community health, particularly where it is needed most; and

- dental innovation on the pathway from laboratory to the marketplace, generating business opportunities, creating jobs and positioning dental research as a significant economic driver.

The ADRF regularly receives more than double the number of applications than it is able to fund. This year, more than $250,000 was distributed to support projects and research dedicated to enhancing dental health of more vulnerable Australians, including young children and older Australians; the prevention of caries, dental disease and tooth loss; eliminating dental-related health risks; improving restorative dentistry knowledge and techniques; decreasing anxiety associated with dental visits; and development of new products will offer cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing new and improved dental treatment options.

This article was first published in the ADA's News Bulletin, April 2024