Dental hospital's new ground floor puts patients first
Today we embarked on an exciting new chapter for oral health care with the official unveiling of the newly renovated ground floor at The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne.
The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne’s newly renovated ground floor delivers new and more inclusive spaces to ensure patients are getting the best care in a culturally safe and comfortable environment from the moment they step through the doors.
The $7.5 million redevelopment features dedicated Aboriginal liaison and social worker offices, along with a consultation room for families and clinicians to discuss care - ensuring eligible Victorians can access the oral health care they need with the right support.
A remodelled parent's room offers a comfortable space to care for little ones, while the addition of a quiet room creates a safe space to wait for patients who need it, and a new prayer room means patients who choose to can pray, meditate and reflect in peace.
A new look entrance, reception and waiting area big enough to accommodate the average 500 patients who walk in each day are designed to be quieter, more accessible and calmer. Clearer wayfinding signage and improved patient flow better support the delivery of oral health care.
“This renovation is about more than just modernising the space – it’s about improving how all patients experience our care from the moment they step inside,” said Oral Health Victoria Chief Executive Susan McKee. “The new ground floor better supports the wellbeing of both patients and staff.”
The project was made possible by funding from the Victorian Government, and involved close consultation with patients and staff to ensure the design meets a wide range of needs.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas officially unveiled the new facilities today.
“It’s important all patients feel welcome coming to our hospitals to get the care they need – whether than means being able to see a social worker in a private space or having a quiet room where they can wait,” Ms Thomas said.
“It’s fantastic to be here today to unveil this incredible new space at the Royal Dental Hospital – built for the community and here to serve generations to come.”
Amelia Garnett has been a patient of RDHM since 2024 and recently joined OHV's Consumer Advisory Committee to help ensure the health service was best supporting those who need it most.
“The ground floor will make a difference to the anxiety and overwhelm that dental work can often provoke in people like me,” Ms Garnett said. “It’s a welcoming space now, not a suffocating one.”
