The Central Great Southern Early Years Partnership (EYP) has received prestigious recognition for its Dental Health Project, which significantly improves access to dental care for young children in rural areas. At the 2025 Institute of Public Administration Australia WA Achievement Awards, the initiative was awarded Best Practice in Health and Wellbeing, highlighting its impact on community health services.
This outreach project specifically targets children aged four and under, providing essential dental screenings and preventative treatments at early childhood centres, playgroups, kindergartens, and community events across several locations, including Broomehill, Gnowangerup, Katanning, Kojonup, and Tambellup. A crucial component of the initiative is the establishment of a paediatric dental surgical service at Katanning Health Service, developed in partnership with Perth Children’s Hospital. This service aims to enhance access to urgent dental care for young patients.
Since its launch in September 2023, the project has successfully treated over 500 children, with more than 80 surgeries performed locally in Katanning, eliminating the need for families to travel to Perth for treatment. This achievement underscores the project’s commitment to addressing the dental health needs of families in the region.
Collaboration has been key to the project’s success, involving multiple stakeholders. Partners include the WA Country Health Service, The University of Western Australia, Amity Health, Perth Children’s Hospital, and the Smiling Starts Early Childhood Dental Program. The initiative is part of a larger ten-year collaboration involving the WA Department of Health, Department of Communities, and Department of Education, along with support from the Commonwealth Government and the Minderoo Foundation.
Donna Woithe, the Early Years Partnership Program Officer for Central Great Southern, expressed her gratitude for the collaboration and community support. “The Central Great Southern EYP Dental Health Project is testament to designing and delivering a service the community needed and wanted and have supported whole-heartedly,” Ms. Woithe stated. She emphasized the hard work of all partners in planning, executing, and evaluating the project, which has led to its resounding success.
In addition to the recent award, the project has also been recognized as a finalist at the 2025 WA Health Excellence Awards. This recognition not only reflects the project’s immediate outcomes but also highlights its potential for long-term impact on children’s health in the Central Great Southern region.
As the initiative continues to grow, it stands as a model for community-driven health projects aimed at enhancing access to essential services for vulnerable populations.
