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Elise Bales and Fran Morrell will never take working in Bendigo Health Dental Services for granted after they spent two weeks working in the Solomon Islands last month.

The pair were the recipients of the Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV) Colin Reilly Scholarship, which allowed them to collaborate with dedicated dental teams in Guadalcanal and Makira provinces.

They were able to share their clinical experience while mentoring local teams, as well as strengthening professional relationships with their international colleagues.

“In community dental, we love helping people who maybe can’t afford the care they need, and this is similar in the Solomon Islands,” Elise said.

“You often don’t get to see the affects helping those patients can have on them, but you could over there.

“They’re so passionate about their communities. Dentists work long hours and do amazing work.”

During their time, the team focused on a few key focus areas:

• Clinical Skill Development: Engaged in hands-on training to enhance competencies in International Caries Detection Assessment System calibration, caries management, silver fluoride usage, and treatment planning.
• Behaviour Management: Implemented effective strategies for managing paediatric patients.
• Infection Control: Protocols established to ensure a safe and hygienic environment.
• Truck Maintenance: Emphasise importance of maintaining dental truck to high standards and demonstrated equipment maintenance procedures.
• Oral Health Education: Integrated oral health education into classroom activities for primary school children.
• Program Implementation: Explored development of toothbrushing programs within the school setting.

“Some of those children didn’t know how to use a tooth brush properly,” Elise said.

“We often don’t realise how lucky we are to have access to healthy food, clean water, medical supplies, it really puts things into perspective.”

Fran said the bonds formed with the Solomon Island team would be something they hoped to maintain into the future.

“They were so appreciative of us coming over,” she said.

“We learnt just how adaptable they have to be when they don’t have access to all the equipment and resources we do.

“But they’re always just so positive, even when times were tough.

“It really puts things into perspective and teaches you not to sweat the small stuff.”

The pair was also able to help with the dental truck, which was a decommissioned DHSV truck that people on the island really valued.

“It’s similar to what we do with the Smile Squad,” Elise said.

“They have one truck that is so popular over there, it’s the best care they have.”

Fran said the pair would continue to keep in touch, hoping to do a virtual catch-up once every couple of months.

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