RFDS Dental Team putting smiles back on faces

The RFDS Dental Team travel all around regional NSW. photo TWH

For Lightning Ridge couple Emma-Lee Fretwell and Tiarnie McBride, the Royal Flying Doctor Service has given them a reason to smile again.

Dental Health Week is August 4-10, 2025, a chance to recognise the importance of everyone having access to oral healthcare.

The services offered by the RFDS dental team across Western and Far West NSW allow many to access oral health care when they would often have to travel vast distances. But for Tiarnie it was the personal level of care, as well as access, that made all the difference.

“Tiarnie had bad experiences with her teeth growing up and with previous dentists. She had nerve damage because of those experiences and she was petrified of going to a dentist. When we got together about three years ago, I worked really hard to encourage her because I used to be a dental assistant,” Emma-Lee said.

“I’d already been seeing the RFDS for my check-ups and fillings for about seven years so I was telling her that she would be safe and looked after.

“What really stood out to us when she started going was how caring and considerate and patient the team were with her. They let me in the room and to hold her. They talked her through it, and they were very patient. They stopped when she needed them to, they respected her, and they never pushed her too far. It was just an amazing experience.” […]

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