Sustainable Dental Care in Nursing Homes with Australian Dental Foundation
In 2017, the Coopers Foundation launched the Sustainable Giving grant, an initiative to foster long-term, sustainable impact for charitable organisations serving Australian communities. The Australian Dental Foundation (ADF) was selected as the inaugural recipient of this grant, receiving $150,000 over three years to support its outreach program into aged care facilities and nursing homes across the country.
Selection of the Australian Dental Foundation
The ADF stood out as an ideal recipient due to its commitment to improving oral health outcomes for vulnerable populations. Their innovative approaches to providing dental care, combined with a strong focus on education and prevention, aligned perfectly with the objectives of our Sustainable Giving program.
Objectives
The grant aimed to support the ADF in:
Expanding their community outreach programs to reach more individuals in need
Enhancing their capacity to deliver preventative dental care and education to aged care residents
Developing and implementing sustainable models of oral health care that could be replicated across the country
Implementation and Impact
Over the three years, the ADF utilised the funding to expand their operations significantly. Key achievements included:
Community Outreach: The ADF successfully extended its reach to over 4,500 seniors living in nursing homes. Mobile dental clinics were deployed, bringing essential services directly to those most in need.
Preventative Care Programs: A major focus was placed on preventative care with educational initiatives delivered to seniors in aged care facilities and community centres. These programs included workshops on oral hygiene, the distribution of dental care kits, and partnerships with local health providers to ensure continuous care.
Sustainable Oral Health Models: There was a measurable decrease in dental-related hospital admissions in the targeted communities, indicating an improvement in overall oral health. The ADF’s work has been recognised nationally, setting a benchmark for community-focused oral health initiatives.
The $150,000 Sustainable Giving grant awarded to the ADF in 2017 has proven to be a strategic investment in the future of oral health in Australia. ADF’s dedication, combined with the flexibility and support provided by the grant, enabled them to create lasting change. This underscores the importance of multi-year funding in achieving deep, long-term impact, and we are proud to have played a part in this success story.