On Wednesday, 7 December 2016, the Riverland Oral Health Centre was opened in Berri at a special ceremony with University of Adelaide, local, State and Australian Government representatives.

Grieve Gillett Andersen (GGA) brought together our extensive experience in the design of dental clinics, office fitouts and teaching spaces, to provide a facility that not only ensures excellence in patient care and infection control, but creates a comfortable and inviting space for staff and their clients.

“We are proud to be able to support state-of-the art dental services for the Riverland community, while at the same time providing our students with valuable clinical experience,” said University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Warren Bebbington.

The Riverland Oral Health Centre (ROHC) is a 10-chair dental clinic with support spaces for administration, teaching and learning spaces for students of the Dental School. Operated by SA Dental Service (SADS), the facility includes a 4-chair combined clinic for students, a 2-chair combined clinic for the School Dental Service, and 4 individual clinics for the Community Dental Service, including one clinic that has been expanded to allow for treatment of patients in wheelchairs. A central sterilisation room was required for the size of the facility, along with its associated large scale equipment.

The Hon. Jack Snelling, Minister for Health, said: “It’s a brilliant outcome for locals, for staff and for the next generation of rural dentists – who will undertake their training in Berri.”

The design delivers a sense of openness is enhanced by natural light, high ceilings, and large circulation spaces, while colourful and textured interior finishes minimise the “clinical” feel of the facility, as well as maintaining its clinical function. As part of the region’s health precinct, the ROHC complements as well as carefully contrasts to the neighbouring Riverland General Hospital site. In addition, the building’s form and materiality reflects and connects gracefully with the surrounding residential neighbourhood.