Reading an article in a local newspaper published just three weeks ago suggesting that Tasmanians have the worst oral health in Australia, I reflected on my own journey.

Indeed, I thought about how going to the dentist in the past has been a costly and painful experience on my pocket and my body. As a person with disability, simply getting to on to their chair is a journey.

But yesterday my faith in dentists, health services and the state government was restored.

I rang the Health Department Dental Health line, told them about my tooth, and was given an appointment the next day. There was less than 24 hours between my phoning and the appointment.

I arrived at the New Town facility and was blown away by the scale and service provided.

After being summoned by my dentist to follow him. I was taken in a vast area of cubicles each fitted with a dentist chair and all the associated dentistry equipment. There were staff everywhere.

Why is this facility so well staffed?

It’s a dental training hospital with university students studying dentistry learning their trade under the supervision of experienced professionals.

My young dentist was a fifth year, coincidentally from my own old hometown of Devonport.

I was offered as much assistance as I needed to get on the chair by multiple staff. My offending tooth was removed efficiently and almost painlessly; you know, that little pinch as the needle goes in cannot be avoided.

And the cost? $45.00, that I could either pay on the day, or have an account sent or have a Centrepay account set up.

How was this possible? I have a health care card. It’s estimated that up to 40% of the Tasmanian populations would be eligible for this service.

So, in answer to the article in the local paper – “Why do Tasmanians have the worst dental health in Australia?” – it could be that they are unaware of the huge improvement in services offered to those on low or fixed incomes. It seems long gone are the days of huge waiting lists and under service.

So don’t be scared … this won’t hurt a bit!

Tammy Milne is a deaf interpreter, a community activist in various fields and a person living with Arthrogrophosis Multipex Congenita.