Our current dental service has been very successful and other volunteers have recently offered their service to the community including dental technicians oral surgeons and hygienists. As a result the current single surgery is too small. A larger dental surgery is in the pipeline following the acquisition of the house next-door at 353 Harewood Road in Bishopdale, Christchurch.
With the addition of two dental chairs, the hospital will be able to increase the number of procedures, extend its service and provide training for dental students.
The dental service will continue to be available for WINZ clients only with a referral from their dentist.
“We are very excited to increase the number of dental procedures and include some oral surgery including removing wisdom teeth and general extractions. We realise there is a huge need for free dental services and relish the opportunity to help as many people as we can,” says Carl Shaw, the hospital manager.
The remainder of the building will be used for administration and office space, freeing up clinical space in the other buildings. There will also be provision for an education and community meeting space at the front of the building.
Funding for the purchase of the building has been generously supplied by a major benefactor and we are now embarking of a fundraising drive to fund the conversion.
