James Cook University dental clinic receives funding top up to secure oral services

A Far North “low-cost” dental service which delivered more than 70,000 appointments last year will receive almost $1m in taxpayer grants to secure its future.

The state government has boosted a previous $14.2m, four-year contract between Queensland Health and James Cook University's dental clinic by an additional $800,000. Picture: Supplied

A Far North “low-cost” dental service which delivered more than 70,000 appointments last year will receive almost $1m in taxpayer grants to secure its future.

James Cook University’s Smithfield dental clinic has received a $800,000 boost from the state government over two years until the end of 2026 with the funding part of a broader $15m, four-year agreement.

Its understood the extra $800,000 is being poured in after the student-led clinic’s services were oversubscribed by patient referrals.

The education provider’s 2024 annual report showed it received $3.55m in the first two years of its contract towards “dental clinic operations”.

The state government has boosted a previous $14.2m, four-year contract between Queensland Health and James Cook University's dental clinic by an additional $800,000. JCU dental student Jeremy Chiu, Barron River MP Bree James, students Karishma Chodha and Dorian Korab and Mulgrave MP Terry James. Picture: Supplied

Member for Barron River Bree James said the funding would secure the delivery of oral health care and hands-on student training through to the end of 2026.

“JCU Dental is not only delivering high-quality public dental services but also shaping the future of Queensland’s dental workforce right here in the north,” she said.

Professor Sarah Larkins, dean of JCU College of Dentistry and Medicine said the education provider was grateful for additional funding from Queensland Health to allow it to continue providing much needed, student-led low cost dental services.

“These services provide vital care to the most needy populations across north Queensland,” she said.

The education provider’s 2024 annual report showed it had received $3.55m in the first two years of its contract towards “dental clinic operations”.

The university’s dentistry program began in 2008 and four years later it opened its clinic at the Smithfield campus.

In 2023, JCU increased its dental student intake from 85 to 110 students annually, with 78 students completing their second year in 2024.

The increased funding was welcomed by vice chancellor professor Simon Biggs.

“This funding supports JCU Dentistry’s mission to improve oral health outcomes for Northern Queensland. Since 2009, we have graduated 836 dentists, with approximately 75 per cent working in Queensland Health rural facilities,” he said.

Member for Mulgrave Terry James said the funding would keep the dental facility “up and running” until the agreement could be ratified in the next round.

Originally published as James Cook University dental clinic receives funding top up to secure oral services