More than 5,100 patients have received free dental care at the Campbelltown Hospital’s Dental Centre, since it launched 15 months ago.

The new Dental Centre means more eligible people in Campbelltown, Camden, Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Wingecarribee and Wollondilly can access public emergency, general and specialist oral health services closer to home.

Over the past year, the 20-chair clinic has provided 276 patients with specialist treatment and a further 5,103 patients with emergency and general treatment.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park joined Member for Campbelltown Greg Warren and Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant for a tour of the flagship oral health facility to mark Dental Health Week.

“This is an invaluable service which delivers state-of-the-art dental care closer to home for those who need it most,” Mr Park said.

“We know that poor oral health is linked to a multitude of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, which is why a world-class dental clinic like this one is so important to the community of south west Sydney.”

Member for Campbelltown Greg Warren said the dental clinic was a huge boost to healthcare services in the south west Sydney region.

“Prior to these specialist dental services being available at Campbelltown Hospital, patients were referred and required to travel to tertiary centres outside south western Sydney,” Mr Warren said.

Dr Chant said NSW Health is committed to reducing dental disease and supporting equitable access to oral health care for all people across NSW.

“I’m pleased to be here to tour this new facility, which is also a major teaching centre, providing clinical training for the next generation of oral health clinicians,” Dr Chant said.

South Western Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive Amanda Larkin said the new centre is already improving patient experiences and reducing wait times.

“We are incredibly proud to receive such fantastic wait time results for dental services,” Ms Larkin said.

“The Hospital and all of South Western Sydney Local Health District is committed to providing timely and high-quality dental services to those eligible for public health dental services in south western Sydney.”

All patients accessing the dental service in the South West Sydney Local Health District waited less than the maximum recommended waiting time for their treatment.

The centre’s scope of services includes treatment for patients with special needs, paediatric dentistry, and oral surgery.

This year’s Dental Health Week (7-13 August) focusses on the link between oral health and chronic disease such as heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s Disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes, lung conditions and inflammatory bowel disease.