Rockingham Dental Centre has proudly marked 21 consecutive years of participation in the Australian Dental Health Foundation’s Dental Rescue Day, a milestone that reflects something far bigger than dentistry – what it means to genuinely care for the community you serve.
On 9 May 2026, our team came together once again to offer free dental treatment to vulnerable members of our community, continuing a tradition that began more than two decades ago. Notably, Dr Russell Gordon, a long-standing supporter of the Foundation, joined us to mark the occasion, even in his retirement. His dedication to this cause speaks volumes about the values that have always shaped dental care at Rockingham Dental Centre.
What Is Dental Rescue Day – How Does it Work?
Dental Rescue Day is an initiative run by the Australian Dental Association (ADA) Dental Health Foundation. The concept is straightforward, but the impact is profound.
A participating dental practice commits a half or full day to treating a group of patients entirely pro bono (no cost to the patient). State coordinators from the ADA Dental Health Foundation organise and manage the appointment schedule in partnership with the practice.
Patients are referred exclusively through registered charities and not-for-profit organisations. These are people who face significant barriers to accessing basic dental care, including:
- People experiencing homelessness
- Survivors of domestic violence
- Individuals in drug and alcohol rehabilitation programmes
- People managing mental health challenges
For many of these patients, Dental Rescue Day may be the only opportunity they have to receive professional dental treatment. Dental pain affects sleep, nutrition, employment prospects, mental health, and self-confidence. Addressing it, even once, can change the trajectory of someone’s life.
Caring for the Rockingham Community
At Rockingham Dental Centre, we have always believed that dental care in Rockingham should be accessible to all, especially those who need it most. Dental Rescue Day is one of the most direct ways we can put that belief into practice.
Over 21 years, we have treated hundreds of patients through this programme. We have seen the relief on faces after years of untreated pain. We have watched patients leave the chair with their dignity restored.
It is not a marketing exercise, but a commitment we happily take part in every year.
A Special Thank You to Dr Russell Gordon
This year’s Dental Rescue Day carried special meaning with the attendance of Dr Russell Gordon, who has championed this initiative throughout his career at Rockingham Dental and continues to support the Foundation even in retirement.
Dr Gordon’s involvement is a reminder that the values behind Dental Rescue Day are not tied to a business but to people. His ongoing dedication to this cause is something our entire team at Rockingham Dental Centre deeply respects and is grateful for.
How Can I Get Involved in Dental Rescue Day?
Rockingham Dental Centre is currently the only dental practice in the Peel Region participating in Dental Rescue Day. For a region with real and documented socioeconomic disadvantage, that is a gap that should concern all of us in the local dental community.
We genuinely believe that more practices coming on board would make an extraordinary difference to vulnerable people across Rockingham, Mandurah, Baldivis, and the wider Peel area.
If you are a dentist or practice owner in the region, we warmly encourage you to explore how you can get involved. The ADA Dental Health Foundation makes the process straightforward – your state coordinator handles much of the organisation, so the barrier to participation is lower than you might think.
Join Us For The Next Dental Rescue Day
We will likely be hosting another Dental Rescue Day in the near future.
Whether you are a dental professional interested in volunteering, a charity or not-for-profit looking to refer clients, or simply someone who wants to learn more about how this programme works, we would love to hear from you.
Contact Rockingham Dental Centre to find out more and how you can get involved.
📞 Call us
Rockingham Dental Centre is a trusted dentist in Rockingham, WA, committed to providing exceptional dental care in the Peel region and giving back to the community that has supported us for over six decades. To book an appointment, click here.
