10 DHA A M E M B E RS G IVIN G BACK ESESSON FOUNDATION IS a non-profit organisation that’s current
intervention and a compromised quality of life to name a few. We
initiative is to provide free dental care to underprivileged children.
all strive to educate our patients and treat them to the best of our
Qualified dental practitioners donate their time to provide
abilities to avoid these consequences. There is a silent problem, how
comprehensive treatment to children in vulnerable high risk groups
can we help those that don’t come to us? Can’t afford to see us?
– refugees, asylum-seekers, special needs and low socio-economic.
Cultural barriers? Transportation issues? We as a collective can do
Practitioners are supported by volunteer dental assistants and
something. We can raise awareness of this disparity, we can donate,
dental students who provide oral hygiene instruction, preventative
we can have a voice for those that cannot speak and we can change
education and clinical chairside
the methods of care delivery by tailoring
assistance to ensure the children have
it to the people that need it.
a positive experience. I can attest to
My day of volunteering was held at
the positive experiences, as I heard a
Mint Dental owned by the very lovely
great deal of laughter during my day
Dr Vicheka Lim. The children were
of volunteering.
transported to the clinic where they
Dr Ajitha Naidu Sugnanam is
were greeted by a group of amazing,
the managing director of Esesson
kind and positive volunteers headed
Foundation and has initiated this
up by the absolutely lovely Olan. These
much needed program. When Dr
volunteers played games, gave oral
Sugnanman became aware of
hygiene instructions and preventative
children with significant unmet oral
dental education... Oh, and they provided
health care needs she developed
snacks! Healthy food and snacks were
a program which aimed to provide
distributed in a fun environment while
quality, comprehensive and timely
the children enjoyed their day at the
care to reduce pain and compromised
dentist. Dr Krutika Shanbhag was
quality of life, as a result of untreated
assisted by her very helpful assistants
dental disease. Dr Sugnanam spent
Zena Safa and Tanvi Shanbhag and I
over a year to research, plan and
was assisted by Griffith University dental
collaborate with stakeholders to bring
students Selina Tran and Reivan Daddoo.
her dream into fruition. The program
My students who not only provided
would not have been possible without
clinical chairside assistance but also
the further help of sponsors; “All
afforded me the opportunity to teach
Access Community Services” in
them and answer any questions in a one
conjunction with practice owners who donated the use of their practices as treatment facilities. After hearing about Dr Sugnanam’s vision for helping underprivileged children I was moved and offered to help. I believe every child should have the same opportunity to access both quality and timely oral health care services regardless of their differences in social, cultural, physical or economic means. In 2021, it is shocking and saddening that such a discrepancy
A VOLUNTEER’S TALE A day spent volunteering is good for the soul and you can learn a thing or two at the same time by Jamelle Knight BOralH ACP
exists in the availability of treatment. All
on one practical setting. Experience I would have benefited from back in my university days! I have to commend people who have a vision for a better future in any capacity, like Dr Sugnanam who strives to improve the oral health of underprivileged children. This program not only benefits the children, it benefits their families and the community as a whole. Many hands make light work and as a group of smart, conscientious and passionate oral health care professionals, together we can make a difference. n
children regardless of their SES status or their ability to access care services, have a fundamental right to
Jamelle (pictured in the centre) is a DHAA Qld Committee Member
timely oral health care.
and owner of Dental on Nexus. To donate to the foundation or to get
As dental professionals we all know what the consequences are of not having dental treatment. Pain, infection, swelling, hospital
in touch please email esesson.foundation@gmail.com or head over to their Facebook page Esesson Foundation for more information.
