A decommissioned school dental bus is getting a second lease of life taking dental care to communities around Southland.
“Gwen” is now in the hands of Southland-based dentist Dr ManuAroha Walker, who working with Hauora Māori and Pacific organisations, will take it to maraes and kōhanga reo, offering dental care and education in convenient and whānau-centred settings.
Dr Walker is committed to advancing to oral health equity through kaupapa Māori approaches and community-led care. A University of Otago graduate, she is passionate about breaking down systemic barriers to dental services for Māori, Pacific people, and rural whānau, and champions initiatives that bring accessible, culturally grounded oral healthcare to those most often left behind by the system.
Dr ManuAroha Walker in the dental bus
Her work has taken her to remote indigenous communities in Australia’s Northern Territory. Returning home, she saw the need for both accessible care and greater oral health literacy to reduce long-term inequality. With the donation of the dental bus from Health New Zealand, Dr Walker is launching a mobile dental unit.
As well as offering some dental treatment, the service will focus on education and prevention, empowering whānau with the knowledge to care for their oral health.
“We know that access to dental services can be challenging for a number of reasons,” Dr Walker says. “We also know good dental care is an integral part of general healthcare. I see this mobile service as a way to help reconnect people with the services they need.
“Our focus is on underserved populations and making it easier for people to get help and education. Our service is open to anyone who needs it, but we know that working alongside organisations who have established relationships with vulnerable communities, such as Māori Health Providers, the Heart Foundation, and WellSouth, we are more likely to reach those who have disengaged with mainstream health services.”
Community Oral Health Unit Manager Leanne Giles says Health NZ Southern is delighted to see the bus going to a new home.
“Gwen has been sitting here unused for the last few years, and it’s fantastic to see her put to use as part of this innovative approach. We’re so glad we were able to work with Dr Walker and to help her make it easier for our community to get dental care services.”
A handover ceremony was recently held and attended by representatives from Te Ara Hauora – The Māori Health Unit, Health New Zealand Southern Community Oral Health Service and Te Ao Mārama, The Aotearoa Māori Dental Association.
Dr Walker says she’s already had plenty of interest from community organisations already, so keep an eye out around Southland for the trusty bus and the friendly dental professionals who may be heading to a location near you.
Did you know?
“Gwen” has a long history in mobile health services. Originally purchased in 1992 as a breast screening unit, it was converted to a school dental bus in 1999. That’s when the bus got its nickname ‘Gwen’ – after a manager in Oral Health Services.
During the next two decades the bus was used to offer dental care to schoolchildren from Oamarama to Wānaka.
She was decommissioned when a new fleet of dental units arrived, but kept and maintained as a back-up vehicle.
