General News
22 November, 2024
Smile Squad to visit local schools
Children across the district are set to smile brighter than ever early next month, with the Smile Squad returning to the region.
Member for Ripon Martha Haylett has welcomed news that the Smile Squad van will be coming back to local schools early next month to provide free dental check-ups to students.
An unprecedented investment by the Victorian Labor Government in preventative and public health, the Smile Squad continues to change the lives of thousands of Victorian children.
The program delivers free oral health promotion, dental check-ups and treatment for students at government schools.
Throughout Term 4, the Smile Squad van will be visiting schools across the Ripon electorate to provide a check-up to students, including:
• Maryborough Education Centre’s Beckworth Campus, December 1
• Moonambel Primary School — December 2
• Landsborough Primary School — December 2
• Natte Yallock Primary School — December 2
• Avoca Primary School — December 3
It builds on the Smile Squad’s previous visits to the Maryborough Education Centre, Bealiba, Avoca and Talbot primary schools earlier this year.
Since the program launched in 2019, Smile Squad has delivered 200,000 free initial and follow up appointments to kids at government schools and provided more than 600,000 dental health packs which include a toothbrush and toothpaste.
Member for Ripon Martha Haylett said the Victorian Government knows how important oral health is for overall health and wellbeing, given oral disease is among both the most prevalent diseases in the community, and the most preventative.
“Smile Squad gives our kids healthy smiles and saves parents time and money — reducing cost of living pressures on local families,” she said.
“Good dental health is critical to good overall health. That’s why the State Labor Government is taking action to prevent tooth decay and keep our kids’ smiles bright and healthy.”
The Smile Squad will also be expanded to low-fee independent and Catholic schools from 2026 as part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to all school students.
To find out more about the program, visit www.health.vic.gov.au/smile-squad.