BHN Dental service – Bringing smiles to Southern Autistic School
The BHN Dental Service is proud to play a vital role in keeping smiles healthy across South-East Melbourne. Through our community clinics in Bentleigh East, Parkdale, Prahran and South Melbourne, we deliver both general and emergency care for children and adults.
In 2024–25, more than 12,000 clients turned to us for oral healthcare. Many of these were families and individuals who would otherwise struggle to access affordable dental services. By offering free and low-cost treatment, we continue to break down barriers and ensure that vulnerable members of our community receive the high-quality oral health care they deserve.
We are also proud to be part of the Smile Squad initiative – the Victorian Government’s free school dental program. This year, one of our most memorable visits was to the Southern Autistic School in Bentleigh East, which supports around 300 students aged 3 to 18.
Initially, the plan was to bring the Smile Squad’s Treatment Truck. But after speaking with staff, our team realised the children would feel more comfortable in their own familiar surroundings. So, we packed up our portable equipment and set up in classrooms, adapting to each child’s unique needs. One student even had their check-up while happily swinging – proving that sometimes the best dental chair is a swing set.
The team also had the privilege of visiting the school’s children who often miss out on external visitors due to behavioural challenges. With the warm support of school staff, who helped distract and encourage students, our dentists were able to create a calm, safe and positive experience for every child. Afterwards, families were contacted with updates and advice on any recommended follow-up care.
The feedback from both staff and parents was overwhelmingly positive. They appreciated not only the care provided, but also the compassion, flexibility and inclusivity shown. The success of the visit has led Southern Autistic School to invite our team back for 2026 – a wonderful testament to the impact of our work.
In 2024/25, the BHN Dental Service supported 12,010 clients through our clinics, including 2,279 children and 9,731 adults. Our Smile Squad team provided care to 4,356 patients, delivering a total of 6,741 dental visits across school-based mobile vans in the South-East region and within BHN clinics.
Funding for the Future
Smile Squad is a vital program that improves the oral health of children across Victoria while easing financial pressures on families by providing free dental care in schools. Dental vans deliver on-site check‑ups, with follow‑up treatment offered in community clinics.
In July 2025, Oral Health Victoria introduced a new funding model that reduced support for Smile Squad services delivered through clinics. Independent modelling shows this change will result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenue – on top of a 28% decline in overall public dental funding over the past five years*.
BHN, as part of a consortium of public dental services, is actively advocating for sustainable funding solutions. Together, we are highlighting the risks of under-investment and calling for long-term support to ensure Smile Squad can continue delivering essential care to Victorian children and families.
*Data from Victorian Oral Health Alliance, Pre-budget Submission 2024-25.
