While Roberta Vodola was waiting for her dental registration to be approved she sensed a real need and want to provide care to others. “While I was not working Filling the Gap let me be volunteer as part of a team of like-minded people who are ready to provide dental care to others in need,” she said. Italian born Roberta volunteers for Filling the Gap because she wants to “give back” to her new home country and the NSW community. “I feel I belong in Australia more because I offer my time and expertise without expecting anything in return,” she said. Roberta plans to give at least a day per month volunteering for Filling the Gap.
Already she has helped to improve the oral health of a range of people who are facing barriers to access treatment. Many patients who Roberta and other volunteers provide treatment for rely on support services and charities in order to cope. “I always hope to build a good rapport with patients and to be able to help them at my best and give them a reason to be positive,” she said. “I believe at the end we are all humans but some of us are less fortunate in life than others!” Her advice to anyone thinking about volunteering: “Stop thinking and just do it!”
Her advice to anyone thinking about volunteering: “Stop thinking and just do it!”