Free Dental Check-Ups Now Available to More Children Across NSW

IAN ROGERS

The Primary School

Mobile Dental Program has reached an exciting milestone, marking its 1,000th public school visit this week. This achievement comes after the Minns Labor Government expanded the program to provide free dental check-ups to even more children across New South Wales. Since its launch in 2019, the initiative has offered free dental care to 300,000 public school students, helping to address dental health needs and promote good oral hygiene among young children. The program has grown signifcantly, with three additional Local Health Districts (LHDs)—Far West, Northern NSW, and Illawarra Shoalhaven—joining in 2023. These new districts have collectively visited 38 schools, providing nearly 2,400 children with free dental check- ups in the past year. Currently, the mobile dental clinics operate across 11 Local Health Districts, delivering essential services directly to primary schools.

Services Provided by the Mobile Dental Clinics

The mobile dental clinics offer a range of on-site services, including:

• Dental check-ups

• Cleans and X-rays

• Preventive treatments

• Education on oral hygiene

These services address both immediate dental concerns and long-term oral health education, ensuring children learn the skills they need to maintain their dental health. If further treatment is required, public dental service staff reach out to parents and carers to coordinate follow-up care, either at the school or a local dental clinic.

Accessible Dental Care for All Children Under 18

In addition to the Primary School Mobile Dental Program, all children under the age of 18 can access free dental care at NSW Health public dental clinics.

This broader initiative refects the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to providing essential healthcare services to families across the state, particularly during challenging times.

This program aligns with the government’s vision to build a better NSW, ensuring every child has access to quality healthcare and education—key pillars of a healthy, thriving community.

Comments from Leaders and Participants

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning, Prue Car:

“It is fantastic to see that the dental van has made 1,000 visits to public schools across NSW, offering free check-ups to so many public-school students.”

“Providing free dental care is a win-win for parents, particularly in a cost-of-living crisis.”

“The dental van is a fantastic program that has given thousands of students access to free dental care and helped public school students to learn healthy habits from an early age.”

Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“Oral health care is a crucial part of being and staying healthy, and these mobile dental clinics make it easier for families to receive essential check-ups.”

“Expanding this program to more parts of NSW provides more children with free, school-based dental care, helping families who don’t have easy access to private dental care.”

“This is an important and exciting milestone to celebrate, and I want to thank everyone who has been a part of the 1,000 school visits and offered free dental care to more than 300,000 children.”

Michelle Wells, Principal, Farmborough Road Public School:

“We were thrilled to have the NSW Dental Vans visit our school.”

“For our students, it’s so important to get their teeth checked and learn about how to best look after their gorgeous smiles. For our parents, it was something they could tick off their list without worry, knowing their child’s dental health had been checked at school.”

“This is an excellent initiative that makes a genuine difference in the lives of our students and their families.”

For more information about the program or to fnd out how your child can access free dental care, visit: health.nsw.gov.au/ oralhealth.

In an age where convenience and quality are increasingly converging, the Bartesian Cocktail Maker is redefning the at-home cocktail experience, offering a solution for both casual sippers and seasoned cocktail enthusiasts alike. Blending technology with mixology, the Bartesian brings the precision and sophistication of a professional bartender right to your countertop, making it possible to enjoy high-quality cocktails in the comfort of home with minimal effort.

Bartesian: The Ultimate in Cocktail Convenience

Liam Jennings

Sony has offcially launched the PlayStation 5 Pro, a highly anticipated upgrade to its popular PS5 console, taking gaming to a new level of performance and visual fdelity. The PS5 Pro hit the shelves on November 7, 2024, priced at $1,199. The new console’s advanced hardware and features are targeted at serious gamers looking for an ultra-immersive experience.

High-Powered Hardware for NextGen Gaming

One of the key upgrades in the PS5 Pro is its enhanced GPU, boasting 67% more Compute Units than the standard PS5 and 28% faster memory. This improvement allows the console to render games up to 45% faster, offering smoother gameplay and shorter load times. Additionally, Sony has upgraded the

Much like a singleserve coffee machine, the Bartesian Cocktail Maker uses pre-mixed cocktail capsules along with separate reservoirs for spirits, allowing users to make over 60 different cocktails in under 30 seconds.

From classic drinks like margaritas, whiskey sours, and cosmopolitans to more contemporary options such as espresso martinis and rum swizzles, the Bartesian offers an expansive selection designed to satisfy a wide range of tastes. Users simply fll designated reservoirs with their preferred spirits, insert a capsule, choose a strength setting, and press ‘Mix’ to receive a fresh, made-toorder drink.

Quality and Customisation at Your Fingertips

One of the standout features of the Bartesian is its focus on customization. With settings that allow for different strength levels—ranging from mocktails to strong drinks—it caters to individual preferences with precision. The capsule’s liquid ingredients are professionally crafted, designed to pair with the user’s chosen spirits. This makes it possible for anyone to enjoy barlevel cocktails without the need for extensive equipment or mixology expertise.

Bartesian currently offers two models: the original Premium Cocktail Maker, designed with four glass spirit reservoirs for those who appreciate variety, and the more compact Bartesian Duet, ideal for those with limited counter space or a preference for specifc cocktails. Each model offers the same easy-to-use interface and versatility but caters to different user needs.

Hygiene and Maintenance Made Simple

Hygiene is often a concern with machines that handle multiple ingredients, but Bartesian has addressed this with an automatic selfcleaning feature. After each use, the machine initiates a brief cleaning cycle, ensuring that favours remain distinct from one cocktail to the next. This feature prevents unwanted crosscontamination, keeping each drink’s taste fresh and true to its original profle.

Is the Bartesian Worth the Investment?

Priced at around $649, depending on the model, the Bartesian represents a substantial investment for those who regularly enjoy cocktails at home. While the machine itself is durable and effcient, the cost of cocktail capsules—generally around $34 for an 8-pack—may be a consideration for some. For others, the convenience and quality offered by the Bartesian make it a worthwhile addition to their kitchen or home bar. The selection of capsules is continually expanding, with Bartesian regularly introducing new favours to keep things exciting.

A Glimpse into the Future of Home Mixology ray tracing capabilities, allowing the PS5 Pro to produce more dynamic light effects at double or triple the original PS5’s speed. For players, this means more realistic refections, shadows, and textures.

With the Bartesian Cocktail Maker, consumers are witnessing a new phase of tech-driven home dining and entertaining. As demand grows for gadgets that streamline sophisticated culinary and beverage experiences, the Bartesian is uniquely positioned to satisfy the needs of modern consumers who want luxury with ease. Its blend of intuitive design, customizable options, and high-quality output is setting a new standard for at-home bartending.

Final thoughts In a world where time is precious and experiences are cherished, the Bartesian Cocktail Maker has tapped into a market that craves both. For tech lovers, cocktail fans, and everyone in between, the Bartesian may just be the ideal companion for turning an ordinary evening into a moment of indulgence.

Sony also introduced PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), an AI-driven upscaling technology that brings more detail and clarity to game visuals without sacrifcing performance. This feature ensures sharper images, elevating the visual experience even for high-defnition games, and giving players a near-8K gaming experience on compatible displays.

Enhanced Storage and Connectivity

The PS5 Pro doubles the storage of the standard PS5, featuring a 2TB SSD. This allows for more game downloads and media storage, a signifcant beneft as games continue to grow in size. Connectivity is also top-notch, with support for Wi-Fi 7, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and compatibility with 8K gaming setups.

One notable design choice is that the PS5 Pro does not include a built-in disc drive.

However, players who prefer physical media can purchase an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive separately. The console remains compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense controllers, and new PlayStation audio options.

Game Enhancements for Immersive Play

Sony is labelling games optimized for this new console as “PS5 Pro Enhanced.” Titles like “Marvel’s SpiderMan 2,” “Horizon Forbidden West,” and “Gran Turismo 7” are receiving updates to take advantage of the PS5 Pro’s added power. Additionally, the PS5 Pro’s Game Boost feature offers improved performance for thousands of backwardcompatible PS4 games, making it a versatile console for both new and existing titles.

A New Standard for Console Gaming

The PlayStation 5 Pro is setting a new benchmark in the world of gaming, merging top-tier performance with sophisticated design. While the higher price point and separate disc drive may be a consideration for some, the PS5 Pro is likely to appeal to players who seek the best in gaming technology, ready for the demands of future releases and highdefnition gameplay.

Todays Australia, the performance landscape has shifted from the era of sports sedans to tough trucks, and the 2025 Isuzu D-MAX Blade is the latest to join the fray.

Developed as part of a factory-approved local program by Walkinshaw Automotive, the Blade brings a fresh take on Isuzu’s trusted platform.

But with a $76,990 drive-away price tag and fagship status, does it live up to the expectations?

Pricing and Competitors

The D-MAX Blade is priced to compete with premium tough trucks, such as:

• Ford Ranger Tremor: $69,690 + ORCs

• Toyota HiLux GR Sport: $74,310 + ORCs

• Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior: $68,765 + ORCs

Compared to Isuzu’s lineup, the Blade is $9,000 more than the X-Terrain and $4,000 more than the LS-U+ donor car once on-road costs are factored in. While Isuzu Ute Australia labels the price as introductory, it hasn’t provided a timeframe for the offer.

Design and Features

Exterior Enhancements

The Blade stands out with a bold redesign, featuring:

• A grille with an integrated 112W light bar.

• Fender fares, tubular side steps, and a sports bar.

• A distinctive sticker kit for added fair.

Mechanical Upgrades Walkinshaw’s upgrades include:

• 35mm Monroe twin-tube dampers for a smoother ride.

• 17-inch Goodyear all-terrain tyres for improved traction.

• 29mm lift kit, providing a modest 4mm clearance increase due to a thicker bash plate. While these changes refne its off-road abilities, the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine and six-speed automatic transmission remain untouched.

Interior and Technology

The Blade inherits the LS-U+’s comprehensive equipment list, including:

• A 9.0-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

• Dual-zone climate control and a powered driver’s seat.

• Tyre pressure