The Incredible Work of The Kimberley Dental Team

Remember, our meetings are for everyone, not just Rotarians – come along, network and learn something new!

City Rotary is pleased to showcase the Kimberley Dental Team program, which was founded by club members Jan and John Owen in May 2009 as a result of their experience in Halls Creek seeing first hand the impact of no dental therapy service for a considerable time.  Many children suffered dental disease and pain. This afforded the opportunity for Jan and John to provide dental screening and dental health education  to the local school children during the week.

With their increasing awareness of the inequality of dental health care compared to that of metropolitan Perth, Jan and John committed to the development of a volunteer team of dental health personnel, the Kimberley Dental Team (KDT), to enhance current services and improve dental health literacy. The model used was initially inspired by the Filling the Gap volunteer program operating in North Queensland.

As Jan and John look to retirement, a new generation is continuing the legacy of volunteer dentistry in regional and remote WA they started 15 years ago.

In 2021, Jim commenced his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree with The University of Western Australia (UWA).

Before commencing and pursuing his dentistry studies, Jim grew up on a small farm in Dalyup; 40km West of Esperance WA, and previously worked full time as a Process Technician with First Quantum Minerals Ltd (FQM), a global copper and nickel mining company.  Jim then gained a Master’s degree with a specialisation in Business Information and Logistics Management & Employment Relations from UWA Business School. Upon graduating, Jim received and accepted his first employment offer with RSM’s Assurance and Advisory division, where he previously provided accounting and advisory services to firms in the mining and exploration & not-for-profit industries.

Jim continues to contribute to the culture of the UWA Doctor of Dental Medicine cohort with a strong community mindset and interests in most team sports, outdoor recreational activities, health, pastoral care, and mentoring. He is passionate about servicing the healthcare needs of rural and remote members of our community and prides himself on returning to rural and remote WA to practice dentistry.