What’s happening?
Bupa has officially opened Bupa Dental Mackay at Caneland Shoppingtown on Mangrove Rd. The opening was led by Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox MP, with a Welcome to Country from Auntie Deb Clark.
The clinic sits beside Bupa’s Eastbrooke Ambrose Family Medical Centre. The aim is to improve access to essential health services for Mackay residents and other regional Queensland communities.
Why it matters?
Here’s the thing, many people in regional towns still face a clear gap in health outcomes compared with large cities. Bupa says the new dental practice helps address this gap by lifting access to primary care, lowering barriers and giving locals more options in one place.
Bupa Dental Principal Dentist Dr Mark Dohlad said the opening builds on Bupa’s wider network across Queensland. “Bringing this practice to Mackay enables us to provide the residents with added convenience and accessibility to primary care services and a growing workforce to deliver for the community.”
He said Bupa members in Mackay will see direct savings. “Along with world class facilities and clinicians, Bupa Health Insurance members in Mackay will also benefit from cost saving initiatives such as our Members First Ultimate proposition, which provides members with eligible Extras policies with gap free check ups, fillings and other preventative dental procedures,” Dr Dohlad said.
Bupa research shows two in five people find it hard to manage their health and wellbeing. Cost, time and work demands are key reasons.
Andrew Willcox said the investment is a positive sign for Mackay. “New services like Bupa Dental not only improve health outcomes for residents but also support jobs and the local economy which is a real win for our region.”
He said access should not be limited by postcode. “I’ve always believed that people in regional areas should have the same access to essential services as those in our cities. Bupa Dental Mackay is a welcome addition to our community, helping to reduce wait times while ensuring families can access high quality care close to home,” Mr Willcox said.
Local Impact
The practice delivers new primary care support for Mackay residents who may face cost pressure, travel limits or longer wait periods. Its location in a major shopping centre adds convenience for families, workers and older locals.
By the numbers
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Two in five Australians say cost, time and work pressures make health and wellbeing hard to manage, based on Bupa research.
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Bupa Asia Pacific supports about 8.2 million customers across Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.
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More than AUD$40 million has been invested by Bupa in community health programs across Australia during the past 20 years.
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Bupa Asia Pacific employs more than 22,000 people across the region.
Zoom In
The new practice gives Mackay residents access to preventative dental treatments, including gap free check ups and fillings for eligible Bupa members. It adds to the Eastbrooke Ambrose Family Medical Centre, giving locals linked health services in one location.
Zoom Out
Bupa is an international healthcare group with more than 75 years of service. Its Asia Pacific arm works across Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong. Its work covers health insurance, dental, medical, optical, aged care and hearing services. The Mackay practice fits into its broad approach to supporting health in regional centres.
What to look for next?
Watch how residents respond to the new service, and how the combined clinic and medical centre shape access and wait times across Mackay.
