KDT Update April 2026
We are extremely proud of the success of our Kimberley Dental Team (KDT) visits in 2025. Having condensed 4 weeks into 2 last year we have recognised that this approach is unsustainable. As a result, the 2026 trip has been expanded back to 4 clinical weeks in May. We anticipate that 2026 will be our final year of KDT operations, as we all know it, in the Kimberley.
Extensive preparations are underway to ensure seamless operations. Our KDT headquarters in Broome will once again serve as the starting and finishing point for our time in the Kimberley region. Teams will fly in and out of Broome and travel across to the East Kimberley for each of their allocated weeks.
The majority of our supplies, either sourced through DHS or very generously donated by SDI, are on track for delivery ahead of the May trip. Accommodations and flights have been secured, and communities have been contacted to ensure a warm welcome for our dental teams. On March 22nd, we held a pre-trip information session, where the six 2026 UWA DMD Students and any new team members met and interacted with past volunteers .
The four weeks in May will primarily focus on Halls Creek, including visits to Bayulu School, Red Hill School, and communities such as Muludja, Ringer Soak, Yiyili, Billiluna, Balgo, Mulan, Warmun, and Frog Hollow. About 24 volunteers will contribute to our 2026 teams, including the dedicated weekly presence of John and Jan.
KDT continues its strong collaboration with the Office of the Chief Dental Officer, Dental Health Services, WA Country Health Service through the Kimberley Population Health Unit. Trish Pepper, KDT’s Broome representative, leads the Strong Teeth for Kimberley Kids toothbrushing program, providing thousands of toothbrushes to Kimberley school children and families annually. We are very grateful to ADA WA for supporting 3 of our 6 final year dental students. Special thanks go to Rotaract and the Rotary club of City East for their commitment to repackaging thousands of toothbrushes into classroom-ready packs, a gesture greatly appreciated by schools and clinics. We also sincerely thank Colgate for their generous contribution of small toothbrushes and paste, along with My First Brushes and paste for a 0-3 program implemented by Trish.
Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to the Australasian section of the International College of Dentists, the Academy of Dentistry International, SDI, Colgate, and the Rotary Clubs of Perth, Heirisson, and City Rotary for their continued generous support.
We are also very proud of our very beautiful KDT memoir, Outback Dental Adventures. It is available to purchase for $35 plus postage via our website and each order includes an extra copy free to share with family, friends, your local library or whoever you think may enjoy it. Alternatively use the QR code 
Order yours now before there are no more left in the world!!!
We extend our deepest thanks to our dedicated volunteers, past and present dental students, and our corporate sponsors and generous private supporters for making our mission possible.
