Implementation| Programme implementation |
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The initial documentation and logistics for the Give a Smile™ program were devised by then ASO President, Dr Ted Crawford with the assistance of the Give a Smile™ Committee – at that time a sub committee of the ASO Public Relations Committee. Give a Smile™ was launched in 2005. The following information gives an outline of the way in which the program was implemented and is managed. Give a Smile™ Committee The Give a Smile™ Committee was established to roll out the program. The inaugural members of this committee were:
In addition, a separate committee, the Give a Smile‘ Trust Committee was established in 2006 to govern the financial dealings of the program. This committee included the Federal President of the ASO, a representative from each of the states/territories where co-payments are made and up to two non-ASO members co-opted, including an accountant. Our pro bono accountant is Mr Ken Wood of RSM Bird Cameron. Give a Smile™ Screeners The Give a Smile™ Screeners are responsible for identifying potential recipients of orthodontic care through the Give a Smile™ program. Give a Smile™ works with the existing public health infrastructure and uses as Screeners professionals who already work with and within the public health system. Each Australian state and territory has qualified orthodontists or dentists responsible for the screening of Health Care Card and Pension Card holders for placement on waiting lists for orthodontic treatment in the public dental health system. These professionals act as the Give a Smile™ Screeners. In most cases, Screeners are full ASO members. Give a Smile™ Liaison Officers A Give a Smile™ Liaison Officer was appointed in each Australian state and territory. Each Liaison Officer, a full member of the ASO, collects the names of participating Give a Smile™ orthodontists in their designated state/territory and works with the Give a Smile™ Screener(s) to help in the selection and allocation process. The Liaison Officers are responsible for matching up a Give a Smile™ orthodontist with a patient from the list of possible recipients provided by the Give a Smile™ Screener. Heads of Oral Health Departments From the outset, there was close communication with and involvement of the relevant health department administrators (Heads of Oral Health Departments) in all Australian states and territories. All such Department Heads expressed their enthusiasm for this initiative and gave their department’s full support for the program. Each Head of Oral Health Department clearly understood that this initiative is a ‘donation’ of services from ASO members and that it is therefore not appropriate to rely on the program when establishing year-to-year planning requirements for their department. Working relationships between key groups Give a Smile‘’s success relies on the close cooperation between the public dental health facilities (Screeners), health department administrations (Heads of Oral Health Departments), the Liaison Officers and the Give a Smile™ Committee. Each Screener, Liaison Officer and Head of Oral Health Department works in a coordinated way to facilitate a national approach to this initiative ensuring the program’s success. |
