Donnelley Constructions

Oral health centre at Nepean Hospital receives $8 million boost

Oral health centre at Nepean Hospital receives $8 million boost

NEPEAN Hospital has announced plans for an $8 million extension and upgrade to its oral health centre.

Construction, which will be handled by Donnelley Constructions, is expected to be completed by March 2014.

Building works will include the expansion of the centre’s capacity from nine to 32 chairs as well as providing a new dental laboratory, a sterilising facility, selected specialist services and a space dedicated to the clinical training of dental students.

When the work is completed, Nepean will have the state’s third largest centre for general, emergency and specialist dental care and will be able to expand services to children and adults in Penrith, the Blue Mountains and the Hawkesbury.

Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District chief executive Kay Hyman explained the benefits of the new development.

“Oral health is one of the most significant health issues in our community and poor oral health is linked to a range of serious medical conditions including cardiovascular disease, low birth weight and diabetes,” she said.

“The Penrith local community is expected to increase by more than 32,000 people over the next 10 years so this expansion is essential to meet current and future demand and continue to provide high-quality, responsive and efficient health care.”