Australasian Dentist Issue 93

102 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST FEATURE: COMPRESSORS & PLANT EQUIPMENT M obile Dental Services help to bridge the access gap for those for who transport or access can be a challenge, including the elderly and infirmed as well as disadvantaged and remote populations. As of June 2020, national statistics estimate that 4.2million Australians –16 per cent of the total population – were aged 65 and over. This is a sizeable group for which a disproportionately high percentage of dental neglect is blamed on transportation or access challenges. At the other end of the spectrum, there’s a growing need amongst school- based kids reflected by the government’s CDBS scheme to provide them free dental care. The initiative aims to equip these kids with the tools to: “Eat well, drink well and clean well – for life”. This issue has become more pronounced in the pandemic era, which has already seen a drop in children visiting dentists – with dire consequences. For these and other vulnerable groups, dental service providers are turning to mobile dental surgeries to help overcome transportation barriers. And if they are looking for a custom-fitted solution, there’s a good chance William Green will show up on the recommendation list. Upwardly mobile Famously pigeonholed as Australia’s sole manufacturer of dental units, William Green is also synonymous with the supply of high-end equipment, covering everything from digital imaging to plant equipment to dental chairs to sterilization and infection control. A strong brand association is to be expected from a third-generation family- owned company that has been servicing the dental profession for over 75 years, although eagle-eyed industry watchers would also point out the company’s niche market supplying bespoke solutions for Mobile Dental Surgeries. “No one really offers a mobile solution out of the box per se. It requires a technically proficient team with a depth of knowledge of mobile applications,” says Ryan Green, the General Manager of William Green. Where the surgery meets the road A wealth of experience outfitting dental clinics helps William Green design mobile surgeries By Danny Chan “Drawing from our rich heritage as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), we are able to work with the client to understand exactly what their requirements are, and then workshopping a solution for them.” Ryan is the grandchild of WilliamGreen founders, Bill and Hilda and son of John Green, the current CEO. Along with brother, Simon, he is part of the third generation leadership. “We were building mobile caravans for the Queensland Health Service back in the 70s, but the reinvigoration of that business began about six years ago,” he recounts. “We wanted to lower the barrier of entry for a general dentist to set up a mobile clinic, and so focused on developing a towable solution.” Drive to succeed Following 18 months of gestation, William Green displayed their first Towable Dental Surgery in a trailer at the ADX2018 in Sydney. The company has steadily expanded its mobile solutions in recent years. In addition to the Tow-Along models, customers can also choose from the Self-Drive Dental Surgery range of solutions – available in different chassis options from compact and large vans to trucks. “Basically, the ‘Self-Drive’ solutions are the ones built into the chassis that has an engine and steering wheel, as opposed to a Tow-Along option,” he explains. Although the form factor varies, the