Words by Sarah Coster
You might be aware that we have an extensive medical team on-site here at Jamboree, but did you know that includes a Dentist? Dr. Paul Rollason is here volunteering his time, in a dental truck that was graciously donated by Queensland Health.
This isn’t Paul’s first Jamboree, either! He has been involved in three Jamborees and one Venture – in fact, he was here in Maryborough for AJ2013! Joining him is his dental assistant, Qian, who works with Paul at his home surgery. Paul has been involved in Scouting for 42 years, and while Qian has volunteered her time for the last two Queensland Jamborees, she has never actually been involved in Scouting outside of a Jamboree! The pair have worked together seamlessly to bring comfort and care to each Scout who has come to them for help.
Paul and Qian are here to assist with dental emergencies. However, as they hope the emergencies are few and far between, they also aim to help some of our international Scouts from developing countries – such as Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Fiji – while they’re here and have access to dental care.
So far this Jamboree, Paul and Qian have helped a total of 51 people, including 13 from the PNG Contingent. Paul was first inspired to help Contingents from developing countries after his first Jamboree, when a young person was rushed to the hospital with a serious stomach ache. But isn’t Paul a dentist? It turned out that the stomach ache was caused by a dental issue! Paul and Qian have working tirelessly to help those who need it, expecting nothing but a smile in return.
“I was enjoying AJ a lot, my favourite was the zipline, until I got a toothache,” said Rham, Unit C015 from the PNG Contingent. Rham, 11 years old, had never been to the dentist until he went to go see Paul and Qian with his father, Noel, the PNG Contingent Leader, so he was understandably anxious and apprehensive about the anaesthesia needle. Moments later, after a painless injection, he asked Paul “Was that it?”
Rham was so relaxed in the chair that he fell asleep while Paul and Qian worked. We asked Rham what he thought of Paul, after spending several hours with him over two days.
“Paul is a champion!” Rham said proudly, with a huge smile.
After two sessions, Rham was no longer in pain and Noel was very appreciative of the work they had done for his son. “They are so committed, dedicated and willing to share their time and experience,” Noel said of our onsite dentists.
Another way in which Paul and Qian have helped our Scouts is when a youth member’s braces broke on-site. Paul didn’t have the tools needed to fix them, but he was determined to do what he refers to as ‘Bush Dentistry’, so he started searching tool boxes. Paul was able to find a small screwdriver from our IT teams toolkit which he used to fix the braces and send the Scout back out to activities.
With so many materials being donated and supplied by sponsors and different committees, we can’t thank them all enough for their generosity. Without their help, Paul and Qian wouldn’t be able to help kids like Rham to get the support that they need.
A special thank you to Queensland Health for donating the van, which is equipped with a single chair and sterilising equipment, as well as other sponsors including: Absolute Dental Care at Taringa, Henry Schein Halas, Dentavision, Southern Dental Industry, Ivoclar, GC, Ormco, Priority Dental, Leading Dental and D4Web for providing equipment, resources, and time.
For every piece of equipment, material and time that has been donated to AJ2025, we thank you all greatly. The difference you have made in many kids’ lives is tangible.
For Paul and Qian: we are eternally grateful for the hard work you put into helping the youth here at Jamboree, and hope to continue to see you in years to come. You both embody the true Scouting Spirit!
