Within Filling the Gap (FTG) is a team of hard working volunteers giving countless hours and expertise to contribute to its success. FTG volunteers Dr Robert Aslan and Dr Andrew Parsons are familiar faces to patients at the dental charity.

Dr Robert Aslan

Dr Robert Aslan’s journey in dentistry began in Khartoum in Sudan where he spent his early childhood before his family’s migration to the United Kingdom in escape of a military coup, and later to Australia.

After completing his education at St Mary’s Cathedral Boys Secondary School, he pursued a passion for dentistry at The University of Sydney, graduating in 1985.

His career began in private practice in Liverpool in Sydney during 1986, before spending a year in regional Western Australia as a relieving dentist with WA Health.

“During this time, I had the privilege of serving diverse communities across regional Australia, including school children, Indigenous Australians, and remote mining towns,” he said. “I returned to Sydney and purchased my first practice in Mortdale in 1987.”

Dr Aslan owned and managed three successful suburban practices across the areas of  Mortdale, Five Dock and Burwood. He lectured nationally and internationally on laser dentistry and was an early adopter and pioneer of its methodology in Australia.

After a sabbatical in 2021, he commenced a new practice and a new mission with St Anthony Dental in Five Dock in Sydney’s Inner West. He partnered with FTG and the Australian Dental Association Dental Health Foundation (ADA DHF) to provide dental services to those in need.

“My purpose and philosophy was to blend a private practice with pro bono and subsidised

dentistry, with a goal to have a self-funded charitable practice, in the name of my patron saint, St Anthony,” he said.

In 2023, he was inducted into the fellowship of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, recognised for his charitable works which he hopes to continue for the rest of his career.

“Throughout my career, I have dedicated myself to giving back to the community through pro bono and charitable initiatives,” he said. “Currently, I am partnered with organisations like ADA DHF and Filling The Gap to provide dental services to those in need.

“My recent mission at St Anthony Dental in Five Dock has allowed me to provide high quality dental care and facilities for the poor, providing hope and returning lost smiles and confidence to those in need.”

Through FTG and ADA DHF clinics, Dr Aslan has treated over 95 patients and conducted more than 185 appointments with a treatment value of more than $138,000.

Congratulations Dr Aslan for being awarded the inaugural Filling the Gap volunteer practice of the year award.

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Dr Andrew Parsons

Dr Andrew Parsons was initially accepted into the Royal Australian Navy as an undergraduate trainee to join as a Dental Officer.

After successfully completing his final exams, he was required to report as a Dental Officer to HMAS Kuttabul at Garden Island in Sydney. Subsequent postings included HMAS Leeuwin in Fremantle in WA, HMAS Kuttabul, HMAS Adelaide on the US West Coast, and HMAS Canberra which was based in California.

His posting to HMAS Kuttabul at Garden Island in Sydney was a baptism of

fire, with virtually no knowledge of Naval protocol and customs, let alone very limited clinical experience.

One of his first challenges was to remove a fish bone deeply embedded into the

underside of the tongue of a large and intimidating Admiral of the US Navy –

courtesy of lunch with the Admiral. “Thankfully, he was appreciative of the successful

procedure!” Dr Parsons added.

In the later stages of his career, Dr Parsons sold his Nelson Bay dental practice to regularly volunteer for FTG. He believes the charity is aptly named.

“I know that there are many people who miss out on access to dental care for a variety of reasons, such as financial, or not qualifying for public health care, or due to language barriers,” he said.

“The program literally fills that gap in access to care. I am just happy to be in a position to help meet some of that need, the program’s organisers make that possible by their input and I am proud that ADA NSW makes the physical facilities available.

“Solo private practice dentistry can be isolating, so it is enlightening to see how other dentists deal with common problems. Also, as an older dentist I admire the level of knowledge of younger operators. And no matter where the patients come from, their problems are the same across all cultures and backgrounds.

“Volunteering is something I have wanted to do for a long time and now my circumstances allow it. I still enjoy exercising my professional skills, but now I can do that away from a
commercial environment, and just focus solely on the patients’ needs.”

Dr Parsons has also regularly visited Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service and Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation in Broken Hill.

Through FTG and ADA DHF clinics, Dr Parsons treated over 115 patients and conducted more than 395 appointments with a treatment value of more than $276,000.

“Make the time to volunteer. You have nothing to lose and those you help will have gained so much,” Dr Parsons said.

Congratulations Dr Parsons for being awarded the inaugural Filling the Gap volunteer of the year award.

This has been another impactful year for FTG. To volunteer or donate and to see how this dental charity has changed lives, please visit www.fillingthegap.com.au