Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) were one of the worthy recipients of the 2022 Healthier Smiles Community Grants.
Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) were one of the worthy recipients of the 2022 Healthier Smiles Community Grants.
When the TIMA team found out they were one of the recipients of the 2022 Mars Wrigley Foundation and Australian Dental Health Foundation Healthier Smiles Community Grants for their Cycle of Love project, they were thrilled that they could continue to make a difference to those who require treatment but are unable to afford private dental care or access public dental services.
TIMA’s dedicated volunteers provide free dental treatment via their free dental clinics.
“We set up a free dental clinic in 2013,” long-term volunteer Doris Eng recalls. “At first, we did the clinic twice a year, but we found that wasn’t enough, because if someone has a toothache they can’t wait that long.”
Long-term TIMA volunteer, Rachael Wu, has been volunteering with TIMA since her first year of Dental School. “TIMA helps people who are vulnerable,” she says. “My parents were refugees from Vietnam and Cambodia so I can understand that anxiety of going to the dentist when English is a barrier. Being able to volunteer with TIMA and provide that comfort and support to the patients makes you feel good at the end of the day.”
Rachael found out about the grant via an email from the Dental School, and instantly thought TIMA should apply.
“I posted about the grant opportunity in our TIMA group chat, and everyone was on board,” Rachael recalls. “We created a Google Drive where everyone pitched in to compile everything.
“Finding out we received the grant was incredible,” she adds. “We knew we could do a lot of positive things with the grant.”
What started as a bi-annual dental fair has grown to a monthly clinic held at Leeming Dental. The grant means the TIMA volunteers can do more within the TIMA dental branch via their monthly clinics and oral health promotion.
“Many of the patients we treat have complex care needs and sometimes they are not able to carry on the dental hygiene or oral health recommendations we have given them,” TIMA acting coordinator, Peggy Lee, says. “We realised the most sustainable way moving forward is to offer them comprehensive education, not just having the primary dentist explain how to look after a denture chairside. The grant means we can do so much more.”
"We realised the most sustainable way moving forward is to offer them comprehensive education, not just having the primary dentist explain how to look after a denture chairside".
So far, this has included giving patients oral health packs to continue their oral health care after they leave the clinic, and presenting to Foundation Housing about good oral hygiene and dietary advice.
Peggy says Cycle of Love is about helping people in need. “The love and care we offer is not only about dental and medical needs, but our volunteers will sit down with them and make sure they feel comfortable in the dental environment. Our patients will have company throughout the whole journey, and our volunteers will be there to hold their hand if they need it and offer support as well.”
“Tzu Chi translates to ‘Compassion Relief’”, Doris explains. “We are driven by compassion,” Peggy adds. “We always try to put ourselves in the patient’s shoes and give them as much support as possible.”
Volunteers are always welcome to join TIMA. To find out more, email tima.perth@tzuchi.org.au
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