Children from Oenpelli and Maningrida will fly in to Katherine this week for dental treatment.
The four-day blitz is part of the Northern Territory Emergency Response.
Twelve children flew in with their carers on Tuesday and an additional twelve will be flown in today.
AGI Child Dental Services Project Manager, Julie Hornibrook says it is a huge logistical undertaking to co-ordinate between services at Katherine, in remote communities and the non-government sector.
"Charter flights, accommodation and transport have been arranged and Katherine Hospital will assist with catering requirements.
"AGI Dental therapist teams have been travelling to Oenpelli and Maningrida to treat, assess and refer children for surgery if needed.
"These particular children have been assessed as needing dental surgery under general anaesthetic.
"As part of the AGI, a theatre at Katherine Hospital has been providing dental surgery and specialists from Royal Darwin Hospital are complementing current dental staff in performing fillings, extractions and some restorations," said Ms Hornibrook.
Phase 2 of the Emergency Response included addressing the high need for dental care in Indigenous communities.
A recent dental blitz in Alice Springs and remote communities, outreach to Top End and further dental surgery planned for Katherine Hospital in late July by the John James Foundation shows the Territory and Australian Government's commitment to children's dental health.
Media contact: Cameron Jackson, DHCS Media Liaison Officer 0401 116 144
Photos are available upon request.
Release date: 13 June 2008
